If you’ve been part of the Black Bee Creative community for a while, you’ll know that I’m passionate about creating a business that supports your life, rather than the other way around. And recently, I’ve stepped into a new chapter that feels like a perfect example of exactly that.
Following an unexpected opportunity
For many years, I was a trustee for Creative Recovery, a charity that is incredibly close to my heart. Their work uses creativity to support people through difficult times, helping people reconnect with themselves and their communities through art, music, reading, outdoor adventures and all sorts of creative shenanigans.
Earlier this year, the part-time role of Interim Company Manager became available. I thought I could help out temporarily while the team recruited for the position.
What I didn’t quite expect was how much I would love it. Well, maybe I did, I don’t really know.
Soooo, I found myself applying for the role properly, and I’m delighted to say that I got the job.
I’m now officially the part-time Company Manager at Creative Recovery for the next year while the current funding is in place, and I couldn’t be happier.
Behind the scenes of something special
My role is very much the behind-the-scenes kind of work. Think keeping the wheels turning, organising the practicalities and, yes, buying the loo roll and biscuits.
Meanwhile, the brilliant Helen and the talented artists create the magic that participants experience every day.
Watching the impact of Creative Recovery’s work is incredibly rewarding. The organisation gives people opportunities to connect, create stuff and heal through a range of activities, and it’s a privilege to play a small part in making that happen.
It feels like such a natural fit for where I am in life right now.
Coming full circle
When I graduated all those moooons ago, I imagined myself working for organisations like Greenpeace or Friends of the Earth, using my creative skills to contribute to something bigger than myself. Life, as it often does, took me in a different direction.
But somehow, years later, I’ve found myself in a role that aligns beautifully with those same values and aspirations I held as a young designer.
Sometimes the path isn’t straight, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t leading you exactly where you need to be.
Why I started Black Bee Creative
Black Bee Creative was born during a very different season of my life.
After being made redundant when my daughter was little, I needed flexibility that your traditional employment couldn’t offer me. Part-time design roles were not really a thing, and life was demanding a different kind of balance from me.
Over the years, I navigated all sorts of challenges – single parenthood, anxiety, homeschooling, school struggles and the many unexpected twists and turns that come with raising a child who needs you close by.
My business gave me something invaluable: freedom.
Freedom to be present. Freedom to work around family life. Freedom to build a career without sacrificing the things that mattered most. And for that, I’ll always be grateful.
Creating space for what comes next
These days, my daughter is growing into a confident, capable and independent young woman. Watching her flourish is one of the greatest joys of my life. (Also the most terrifying!)
As she’s needed me less, I’ve gradually found myself with space to ask a different question. Not just, “What do I need to do?” but “What do I want to do?”.
Creative Recovery became one of the answers.
It has also been quite the adjustment moving from working largely on my own to spending time in a busy office filled with wonderful humans. There’s always someone to chat to, a story to share or a friendly face around the corner.
The sense of community is something I’ve really come to appreciate.
And what about Sally?
For anyone wondering about the most important member of the team…
My dog Sally is thriving! She now spends my office days with a lovely dog sitter and a little gang of doggo friends, which she absolutely loves.
So it seems everyone is settling happily into this new routine.
What this means for Black Bee Creative
The important thing to say is this: Black Bee Creative isn’t going anywhere.
I’m still here, still designing, still supporting my wonderful clients and still taking on projects.
My working hours will be a little more condensed than before, but my goal is for everything to feel very much business as usual from your perspective. You’ll continue to receive the same service and creative support, but just with a little more structure around my availability.
A reminder of why we build businesses
In many ways, this new chapter has reminded me exactly why I started my business in the first place.
Not simply to earn a living, but to create a life.
A life with freedom. A life with purpose. A life that allows me to support the people and causes I care about. And I suspect that’s something many small business owners are striving for too.
Building a business that works for your life doesn’t mean standing still. Sometimes it means creating enough flexibility to embrace new opportunities when they come along.
And that’s exactly what this ‘season’ represents for me.
Thank you, as always, for supporting Black Bee Creative and for cheering me on through the many different chapters of life and business. It means more than you know.