This soooo resonated with me. I’ve been doing the business course (plodding slowly) and it’s given me so many things. The biggest thing it’s given me though is confidence. Okay, it wavers some days but I guess that’s just life. Just come from a conversation about having my first exhibition. Haven’t said a definite yes yet but I think I’m going to xx
Ohhh that is so exciting! Crossing my fingers for you / hoping it goes ahead! Confidence is such a big part of the whole business side of things and it's easy to miss or skim over :)
That’s so kind Verity. The freak flag course really made such a difference to me and the business course has come along at just the right time. Hope all is well with you. X
Katie, you are an absolute delight! And a fount of wisdom. “The whole point of running a business is to create your own freedom, make your own rules, right? THERE’S NO POINT PUTTING ALL THAT EFFORT IN TO CREATE A DIFFERENT SHAPED CAGE.”
This and GETTING OUT OF MY OWN WAY we’re just what I needed to hear today. Thankyou for sharing the hard won fruits of all your hard work x
After a billion years....one of the biggest revelations was that yep - I’m not just chugging along being self employed - I’m a BUSINESS and I have to start treating it like that! However, at the moment, I’m currently chasing those pesky rubber balls which have rolled off under the fridge, and the cat is trying to fish them out....someone hand me a stick!!
I have been business coursing with you too and it's given me so much confidence like maybe this could actually work as a proper, real life job!!!!! Thank you and Tania and Helen, you're all so inspirational ❤️
Helllooo! I’ve been lapping up the Business Course too! …um, and the others… so flipping useful. Also, I’m finding it endlessly helpful to hear you and your shipmates always communicating in your natural voices. I spent so long stuck in corporate-land I find this a hard cage to climb out of, so seeing / reading it being done and so well really helps me ☺️
Loved your letter… All of it is so true! As a small business owner, I too hope to one day get out of my own way. I’m still in the stage of patiently building my business up. It feels like climbing a very long, steep hill. I have to remind myself to just keep walking!
Yes, Im' in the building up my business stage too. I'm seeing the ball being pushed up the hill and just looking forward to the day when the horizon pokes their head above the top and the ball no longer needs the constant pushing, and then — it picks up some speed.
Yay to the business course!! It’s made me reevaluate my own business and I realized that it’s inertia that’s kept me going all these years… and it’s stopped me from taking it to the next level. Well there were other things too, but now I’m taking proper ownership of it again and it feeeeeeeels goooooood!!! Mine would be a grovelling letter of apology asking my business to forgive me for getting distracted and wandering off down blind alleys...
What a beautiful letter! I love how you described your business early on was small enough to keep tucked into your sketchbook and that now you're ready to let the ball roll down the hill. I just opened a process art center for children and families in January and despite being averse to taking big steps, I took a leap to do this. I very much relate to the uncertainty. It's been nice to follow your journey since 2020 (when I found Good Ship during COVID) and see your growth and successes. Thank you for sharing this. It's inspiring!
Hi Katie! Thanks for a super live zoom call yesterday on the Business course. You're all so great!! About the letter to your business... "The whole reason I’m here is because of my absolute allergy to offices and my being-totally-unemployable." This phrase resonated with me so much and I am already seeing myself away from an office at some point. Thank you for the insights.. I am a mum of a toddler too! Hope some day your little E will get to meet my little half greek-half italian L...maybe in Bologna!!😅
Hi from the business course! I'm here *because* of your business course - woohoo!
I love your business letter. All your writings are lovely, weird and fun and honest. Thanks! And I really think I'm going to start the old newsletter once and for all. eek!
Trying to take action, I quickly signed up to Substack, but someone had already selected MY name, and in a rash I just named it something. Oh no! now I don't like the name I chose.
Katie you are a master of metaphor and imagery! I’ve been doing the business course too and it’s transforming the way I think about my work. So grateful for all the wisdom and humour that you and your shipmates deliver 😃
Katie, you're a true inspiration! I'm taking the business course and it's wonderful! I'm progressing slowly as time allows. All the incredible information you all are sharing is like a treasure chest full of gems! Thank you all for putting this out in the world :)
This soooo resonated with me. I’ve been doing the business course (plodding slowly) and it’s given me so many things. The biggest thing it’s given me though is confidence. Okay, it wavers some days but I guess that’s just life. Just come from a conversation about having my first exhibition. Haven’t said a definite yes yet but I think I’m going to xx
Ohhh that is so exciting! Crossing my fingers for you / hoping it goes ahead! Confidence is such a big part of the whole business side of things and it's easy to miss or skim over :)
Linda we met in the freak flag course and I’m just loving seeing how you’re doing with your illustrations!! Fab work and fab news!
That’s so kind Verity. The freak flag course really made such a difference to me and the business course has come along at just the right time. Hope all is well with you. X
Katie, you are an absolute delight! And a fount of wisdom. “The whole point of running a business is to create your own freedom, make your own rules, right? THERE’S NO POINT PUTTING ALL THAT EFFORT IN TO CREATE A DIFFERENT SHAPED CAGE.”
This and GETTING OUT OF MY OWN WAY we’re just what I needed to hear today. Thankyou for sharing the hard won fruits of all your hard work x
Ahh thank you Karen pal :) Sendin lots of love your way xx
Yes to that! 🙌
After a billion years....one of the biggest revelations was that yep - I’m not just chugging along being self employed - I’m a BUSINESS and I have to start treating it like that! However, at the moment, I’m currently chasing those pesky rubber balls which have rolled off under the fridge, and the cat is trying to fish them out....someone hand me a stick!!
**handing you a long stick and also a PB and jam sandwich in case it takes a while to get those rubber balls out from under the fridge** 😆
🤣 **makes a flask, and settles in for the long haul
Hilarious! I'm trying to keep out of my own way, and get a move on.
Give yourself a sharp kick in the shins and run for it!! 😋
I'm on the business course with you... so sending a big wave from lovely York!
Hullooo lovely York! Hope you're gettin on ok :)
So cool. Congrats!
I have been business coursing with you too and it's given me so much confidence like maybe this could actually work as a proper, real life job!!!!! Thank you and Tania and Helen, you're all so inspirational ❤️
Waaaa that is SO good to hear. I'm aggressively cheering you on from behind my keyboard YURHGHHHGHGH GO GO GO!
Love this Katie. You’re such an inspiration. ✨🪄🌱
Helllooo! I’ve been lapping up the Business Course too! …um, and the others… so flipping useful. Also, I’m finding it endlessly helpful to hear you and your shipmates always communicating in your natural voices. I spent so long stuck in corporate-land I find this a hard cage to climb out of, so seeing / reading it being done and so well really helps me ☺️
this +1
Loved your letter… All of it is so true! As a small business owner, I too hope to one day get out of my own way. I’m still in the stage of patiently building my business up. It feels like climbing a very long, steep hill. I have to remind myself to just keep walking!
Yes, Im' in the building up my business stage too. I'm seeing the ball being pushed up the hill and just looking forward to the day when the horizon pokes their head above the top and the ball no longer needs the constant pushing, and then — it picks up some speed.
Funnily enough, mine has started to pick up some speed this past week. Hoping it continues!
Yay to the business course!! It’s made me reevaluate my own business and I realized that it’s inertia that’s kept me going all these years… and it’s stopped me from taking it to the next level. Well there were other things too, but now I’m taking proper ownership of it again and it feeeeeeeels goooooood!!! Mine would be a grovelling letter of apology asking my business to forgive me for getting distracted and wandering off down blind alleys...
What a beautiful letter! I love how you described your business early on was small enough to keep tucked into your sketchbook and that now you're ready to let the ball roll down the hill. I just opened a process art center for children and families in January and despite being averse to taking big steps, I took a leap to do this. I very much relate to the uncertainty. It's been nice to follow your journey since 2020 (when I found Good Ship during COVID) and see your growth and successes. Thank you for sharing this. It's inspiring!
Hi Katie! Thanks for a super live zoom call yesterday on the Business course. You're all so great!! About the letter to your business... "The whole reason I’m here is because of my absolute allergy to offices and my being-totally-unemployable." This phrase resonated with me so much and I am already seeing myself away from an office at some point. Thank you for the insights.. I am a mum of a toddler too! Hope some day your little E will get to meet my little half greek-half italian L...maybe in Bologna!!😅
Still working through the business course and it’s so great! Love your posts so much 🥰
Hi from the business course! I'm here *because* of your business course - woohoo!
I love your business letter. All your writings are lovely, weird and fun and honest. Thanks! And I really think I'm going to start the old newsletter once and for all. eek!
Trying to take action, I quickly signed up to Substack, but someone had already selected MY name, and in a rash I just named it something. Oh no! now I don't like the name I chose.
Katie you are a master of metaphor and imagery! I’ve been doing the business course too and it’s transforming the way I think about my work. So grateful for all the wisdom and humour that you and your shipmates deliver 😃
Katie, you're a true inspiration! I'm taking the business course and it's wonderful! I'm progressing slowly as time allows. All the incredible information you all are sharing is like a treasure chest full of gems! Thank you all for putting this out in the world :)