Years ago, when I came down to live in London, I was really nervous. I had absolutely no idea how to carve out a career for myself and did what I thought I should do, which was to send out dozens of CVs and phone people to try and create an opportunity to get work I enjoyed.
I had some success, but it was tiring and stressful.
What really made the difference was when I joined a networking group of freelance professionals who wanted to support each other in finding work. I buddied up with a man called Charlie, one of the kindest people I’d ever met. He ran a computer business and had been self-employed for years.
We set up morning calls and almost immediately I noticed that these conversations buoyed me up. I went about my day with more positive energy. We shared our struggles, talked about our goals and somehow I felt less isolated. I was also given referrals through the group and one or two members became my first coaching clients.
Over the years, I’ve realised that most of my work has come through relationships. People I met on courses and at networking events referred many of my early coaching clients to me. When my computer goes down, I still call my friend Jamie who always knows what to do. When I need to find a venue for a workshop, I ask my network for advice.
I’ve also realised that I only do business with people with whom I have a natural bond. I work with friends, and my clients eventually become friends too, because I have a heartfelt connection with them.
I realise that this has come about because I’ve become more aware of who I am and what my values are, and I’m good at connecting with people who share my world view.
My career has motored forward when I’ve put myself into environments in which I can meet like-minded people who share my values.
I do think marketing skills are important to learn, but in my opinion marketing is about building positive relationships.
On April 19th, I am running the first event for my creative community, Trailblazer Tribe, at a private members’ club in London. My main intention for bringing this community together is that I want people to build relationships with each other.
I am so excited about this event, as it’s bringing together people I really care about. Our three storytellers are dear clients who I now consider to be friends; I have attracted a DJ I met at a friend’s house; and I will be co-hosting with one of my best buddies, Bev Glick.
There are people coming from all phases of my life – many I know well and some are new members of my Facebook group, Trailblazer Tribe.
If you come to this event, I guarantee you will meet some of the loveliest people. I seem to attract interesting, caring and ambitious creatives who are not only interested in their own career advancement, but also care about other people and the world.
You may be an actor who meets a graphic designer who can create a good logo for you. You may simply meet someone who is inspiring and with whom you want to maintain a connection.
I’d absolutely love you to join us – here is the link to my website. Tickets are only £15 – but book soon as places are limited.
Here are the details:
If you want to come along, book soon as places are limited. Click HERE to buy your tickets.
The lowdown
Date and time: Thursday 19th April @ 6.30pm (until around 10pm)
Venue: King’s Head Private Members Club, 257 Kingsland Road, London E2 8AS
Tickets: £15
What’s going to happen
- A mini workshop by Bev and myself on the Trailblazing Archetypes* and how to use them to define your brand story.
- Stories from an artist, photographer and a fashion psychologist who are all members of the community.
- Mingle with other like-minded creatives – from actors, designers to creative directors and musicians.
More on our storytellers
- Artist Pearl Bates creates fantasy paintings, writes a daily blog and brings stories and magic into her artwork.
- Positive psychologist Rebecca Weef Smith creates conversations around fashion and flourishing and is on the launch team of a new magazine called Goldie.
- Photographer Lisa Bretherick believes that photography is a means of creating art through emotions, personalities and flavours of life.
What is Trailblazer Tribe?
An online community of ambitious creatives who want the freedom to do the work they love and live a life on their own terms. To attend the event, you must be a member of the Facebook group. You can ask to join here: facebook.com/groups/Trai
Our vision
- To ensure that creative people honour their unique gifts and create work that is heartfelt, engaging and uncompromising.
- To help creative people share their stories and become well known for the work they love.
- To create a positive and inspiring community of creative professionals who will support each other and form collaborative partnerships.
Who can attend?
The event is aimed at creatives who are self-employed or work in the creative industries and wish to progress their career or business.
Who is perceived as a creative?
Traditionally, we mean artists who create work to share with the world, from photographers, directors and actors to writers and graphic designers. We also welcome creative people whose work has a positive impact in the world.
*Trailblazing Archetypes
This is a tool we have created to help identify the energy you lead with as a creative. To get the most out of the workshop, you’ll need to take the quiz first to discover your primary and secondary archetypes. You can sign up here: www.nickyjmoran.com/arch
We look forward to meeting you on April 19th! Book your place HERE.
Nicky
