Happy 1st birthday! dsquared comes full circle

Denise Davies, founder of dsquared, reflects on five life lessons from her company’s first year in business.

As dsquared celebrates its first birthday this week, I’m reminded of the challenges and changes that starting a business during a global pandemic can bring (not to mention the amount of home baking that my first ‘desk’ – my kitchen island – has seen).

When I made myself a cup of tea on my first morning as the director of my own company, I wasn’t starting from scratch – even though my immediate success depended on my laptop and my little black book of contacts. With a roster of clients across the energy, healthcare, property and finance sectors, I wouldn’t be where I am now without the support and belief of my clients, and the personal and professional experiences I’ve had so far.

So, what have I learned after the most challenging year of the century to date?

Stay connected

In a world filled with social networks, perhaps the most important one you can cultivate is the one you know in the real world. With the Covid-19 pandemic restricting our in-person socialisation, we have all turned to the virtual world to stay in touch.

Virtual working still allows you to share ideas, regardless of distance or time zone differences. I’ve been fortunate to have been collaborating with clients, business associates and contacts from Houston, London, Aberdeen and Dubai – from a friendly catch-up to a planning meeting or strategy session – it’s all been possible.

Keep growing

During the first lockdown, I studied and read as much as I could when I launched dsquared. Absorbing new skills and ideas helped me to better serve clients by bringing creative ideas to the table when it matters most.

I learnt that personal development should be considered in tandem with business development. Joining a sector-specific LinkedIn networking group or a professional body helps put you in touch with like-minded peers and is another potential avenue to grow your network.

Build bridges

Getting a new business off the ground can be immensely challenging. Be prepared to wear many different hats simultaneously to get the business ball rolling. These experiences will shape your career in powerful ways, and that in every challenge lies both a lesson and opportunity.

The network I built up over the last 20 years was invaluable. I wasn’t afraid to reach out to colleagues, peers and business contacts to get expert help as I navigated the early days of dsquared. As a marketeer, I am much better with words than numbers, so an accountant was a must!

Be bold

No-one ever achieves their goals by standing still. By breaking tasks down into small parts, you’ll be prepared to handle the necessary pressure of stepping out of your comfort zone when running and expanding your business.

Whether it is was piecing together a proposal for the first time or pitching to a company I wanted to work with, I rolled my sleeves up and tackled the task in hand with grit and determination!

Love what you do

It’s often said that you’ll never work a day in your life if you enjoy what you do. Of course, not every day will be rainbows and sunshine, but if you have a passion for your work, this will carry you through the challenging times.

With a career spanning over two decades, I’m a marketing fanatic with a proven track record in creating and implementing compelling campaigns to maximise brand awareness and drive new business leads. I love to help my clients achieve their business goals, attract new customers, and communicate effectively.

Here’s to the next year and beyond!

Denise