You’re on Your Own, Kid: How Taylor Swift Inspired Me to Start My Business

“Thank you for your interest in this position; we regret to inform you that you weren’t selected.” “We need someone with more experience.” I wish I didn’t have to say this, but these two sentences have flooded my inbox for what feels like forever. The job market is tough, and even though you can't control it, sometimes you can't help but feel like I'm the problem; it's me.

It might seem simple to look for a job, but it's hard. Taylor Swift was right when she said, “I cry a lot, but I am so productive it's an art” because it is. You need to figure out if you’d like the job enough to do it five days a week, see if you have the experience, and sometimes you don’t know.

I’m still looking for a full-time position, and one day after a Taylor Swift jam session, while scrolling through Linkedin, I thought about what makes Taylor Swift an award-winning artist: her songs and the stories she tells are authentic and written her way. So, I decided to shake it off and gain experience my way. That's why I started my own business, Maddie Basara Public Relations. 

Here’s what I feel are the most important things that I’ve learned so far.

To Register Your Business, or Not to Register Your Business

I learned freelancers can start a business using an LLC (Limited Liability Company) or a sole proprietorship. According to Forbes, “an LLC has its own legal identity separate from you; the owner and a business creditor can’t legally go after your assets if your business is sued or unable to pay its debts.” In a sole proprietorship, “there’s no separation between personal and business assets and expenses.” I took the LLC route because I wanted to be as protected as possible for myself and my clients.

Don’t be a Pathological People-Pleaser and Show You’re Willing to Learn

When you're just starting out, you feel like you need to bite off more than you can chew to prove yourself (that was me🙋‍♀️). You need to show that you are willing to learn, take your time (not too long), and be as honest as possible. Clients will come back because they’ll realize how enchanting it was to work with you, and you’ll earn their respect. Sometimes, it doesn’t work out that way but don’t get down on yourself because you won’t be clear-headed when you take on a new project for someone else.

Don’t Give Up

If you’re in the same boat and feeling stressed, remember that life is short, so drop everything now and go after what you want! Sometimes people will believe in you, and sometimes they won’t, but make the friendship bracelets anyway and keep going! You’re on your own, kid, and you can face this!

We’re ready to help you build a big reputation! Book a discovery call, and you and I will have a big conversation about your business! Click here to book!