Five months ago, I went fully self-employed.

No big launch party. No perfect idea. Just a quiet, slightly terrifying moment of deciding that I was going to back myself, properly, and build something that actually reflects how I think, work, and create.

What I didn’t expect was how quickly things would shift once I stopped trying to make my work fit into boxes it was never meant for…

Month One: Momentum Over Perfection

The first few weeks were less about polish and more about movement.

Saying yes to the right things. Saying no to the wrong ones (and learning how hard that actually is). Putting systems in place while also trusting my instincts.

I realised early on that I wasn’t building “a marketing service”.

I was building an ecosystem, one that blends strategy, design, storytelling, photography, tech, and human connection.

That mindset changed everything.

The Shell Store: Twenty Minutes of Freedom

One morning, I turned my time tracking off for twenty minutes. Not because the work didn’t matter, but because the moment did.

The light was right. That soft, early golden sunshine that only exists for 20 minutes, and only if you’re paying attention. I took my camera and shot the Shell Store slowly, without a timer running, without rushing to justify the time, just wandering around the building noticing the light and the shapes.

That felt new.

Those images aren’t just of a space. They’re of a moment where I realised I now have the freedom to notice things, light, texture, atmosphere, and trust that this is the work.

Brands aren’t built only in dashboards and deliverables, they live in places, people, light, feeling and texture. That morning was a reminder of why I chose to work this way.

Building Something Serious with Serious People (TSG)

Working on TSG’s website and branding was a completely different challenge, and one I’m incredibly proud of.

High-stakes, high-trust industries don’t respond to gimmicks. They respond to clarity, credibility, and restraint. Translating complex, technical expertise into a digital presence that feels human but still commands authority pushed me creatively and strategically.

It confirmed something important for me:

I can sit comfortably in both worlds, the expressive and the exacting, without compromising either.

Katie the Stunt Artist: Trust, Identity, and Visibility

Helping Katie shape her brand as a stunt artist stands out as one of the most meaningful projects so far.

When someone puts their identity in your hands, not just their visuals, but how they show up in the world, that’s not marketing. That’s trust.

This wasn’t about trends or templates. It was about presence.

About making sure her work, skill, and personality were visible without dilution.

Watching her step forward with confidence afterwards? That’s the kind of win that sticks with you.

What I’ve Learned (So Far)

Five months in, a few things are very clear:

• Templates are safe, but they’re rarely effective

• The best work happens when clients feel seen, not sold to

• Systems matter - but intuition still leads

• You can be professional without being boring

• And you don’t have to shrink your ideas to be taken seriously

Most importantly:

Backing yourself changes how other people show up for you.

Looking Ahead

I’m still building. Still refining. Still experimenting.

But now I’m doing it with proof, not just faith.

Proof that this way of working works.
Proof that creativity and structure can coexist.
Proof that going all-in on yourself doesn’t have to look loud to be powerful.

Five months down.
This is only the beginning.

Written by Lauren Haycock, Wednesday the 21st of January 2026.