10.06.24

Founder Vibes: Retrospective on Month 1

As I sit here, eating lunch on the last Friday of the month, it's a perfect opportunity to reflect on the journey so far at dcoded. (still feels mad that I am a legit business owner!)

The initial two weeks… WOW. A lightning start. It was a literal whirlwind of excitement and achievement. We hit the ground running, achieving significant milestones, and laying the groundwork for future success. And although the following two weeks haven’t been bad (by any stretch of the imagination), it has certainly presented more challenges, testing our resilience!

In the first half of the month, our progress felt exhilarating. We achieved our first placement with our very first customer - a testament to our rigorous, tested, and proven process of excellence.  This reinforced the importance of sticking to our core values and key principles. Each step, from landing the client; identifying the right candidates; meticulously matching them with our client needs, was executed with precision. The exhilaration of these early successes validated our approach and boosted our confidence – the placed candidate starts Monday btw #efficiency.

The latter half of the month, however, has been a little tougher. The initial euphoria has given way to more complex challenges, and if I’m honest (probably) some feelings of imposter syndrome have occasionally crept in. It's easy to doubt yourself when faced with steep learning curves and unexpected obstacles. Yet, it's crucial to remember that these experiences are part of the growth journey. They shape our resilience and fortitude.

Major developments around our CSR have happened, and I’m really excited about the next steps. Striving towards B-Corp certification is not just a goal but a commitment to doing business in a way that benefits all clients, consultants, candidates, community, and the environment.

We’ve had our final brand workshop where we’ve seen the business truly come to life, aligned to our purpose, and meaning. It’s been incredibly inspiring to have fantastic and positive conversations with business leaders who share our vision. These interactions remind me of why we do what we do, and how we do it!

There have been more new client wins - and corresponding interviews! But I can’t lie, its been really tough. But we keep battling on ????

I’m super excited as we move into our 2nd month of trading with some fantastic pipeline and potential…

Despite the challenges, it's essential to celebrate the small wins - and there have been many. Each problem solved, each piece of positive feedback, and each instance of collaboration and learning are victories. They are the building blocks of our continued success.

Retrospectively (although challenging to see the wood through the trees at times – or whatever the saying is!) the progress has been undeniable (I am my worst critic). The relationships we've built, the time and effort put in, and the contributions we've made are all testament to a productive and rewarding first month. As we continue to grow, we'll keep celebrating these small wins and use them as motivation to push through the tougher times. Every challenge overcome is a step closer to our brand vision ????

If I was to summarise some key points for the month?

• Embrace the tough times: When things are hard, you have to train & work harder to achieve your goals. Stay focussed. Plan ahead. Stay true. Celebrate the wins.

• Celebrate All the Wins: Recognise and celebrate every achievement, no matter the size. These victories are the foundation of our success and motivation.

• Learn from the Mistakes: Although we haven't made many, each mistake is an opportunity to improve and grow. Embrace these moments as learning experiences.

• Time is like a currency: I am rubbish at this. And need to get better. Time often feels like a currency (check out In Time with Justin Timberlake, banging film), and I am always in my overdraft. Stay organised, plan ahead – and send me your best ideas on this topic, because I NEED HELP lol.

• Don’t Let Your Brew Go Cold: Relationships, like a good brew… needs attention. Keep nurturing your connections to ensure they stay strong, vibrant & HOT. It’s a tough grind drinking a cold brew…

• Bigger Picture Thinking: Focus on building the right foundations, infrastructure, and data. Preparation is key, and you can never be too prepared for growth and change.

• Commit to Excellence and Your Core Principles: Upholding high standards in every interaction and decision, and staying true to our core values, is non-negotiable.

Super excited for month 2. Half-term… move aside. Onwards and upward, one principled step at a time. Exciting times lie ahead!