10 year reflection - the journey so far

In nearing the anniversary of 10 years in business I’m indulging in the opportunity to reflect and take stock. When you are in charge of paying for your own salary and for others, taking the time to kick back and ponder where you have come from is not a native past time. There are always new challenges to face, relationships to nurture, processes to fix, fridges to restock and a myriad of Google docs that need your ongoing attention.

In 2021 after what’s been a pretty horrendous 18 months, this 10 year milestone feels big, more potent and special than all the others years. For the first time I’ve allowed myself to say “hey, well done lady - you have built something pretty special and you deserve a high bloody big five for that!” So, that’s what I am doing over the course of the next 2 months, saying thanks - being kind to myself, reconnecting with peers and former team members and sharing my voice on the lessons learnt.

The Edison Agency, formerly Bonney Creative, started with an attitude that still carries true today, bite big and chew like hell. As I sat at my dining table with little more than a Mac Book Pro and a business registration number I took aim pretty high, my first client when it was a team of 1 was a blue chip FMCG food business closely followed by an independent FMCG alcohol producer who later were acquired by Asahi. With 13 years under my belt working with iconic local and international brands, I felt the way I started was going to set the tone for the future so I was definitely biting big!

Over the next few months I and some of the team will be sharing reflections on the top 10 takeaways of the last decade. Here’s a snapshot of what’s to come from being 10 years young:

1. FIND YOUR WHITE SPACE

Understanding that growth and innovations do not come from a fully scheduled diary. How to plan for unplanned creative space.

2. IT’S NOT PERSONAL

Knowing how to respond when relationships are not gelling, when feedback feels like it's an arrow to your heart and listening to your gut that you are just not vibing something.

3. BLINKERS ON (AND SOMETIMES OFF)

Knowing who you are, what you believe in and where you are going without the distraction of what everyone else in your industry is doing.

4. DEBIT AND CREDIT

Partnerships in business are no different to personal relationships, you need to continually be crediting the account to make sure there is enough room for debits when things don’t go right, and they will.

5. RESILIENCE

The ability to find a way forward when there seems like there is none. Allowing yourself and others to feel the pain and acknowledge disappointment but to get back up again.

6. IT’S A BIG RESPONSIBILITY

Learning how to manage the pressure, responsibility and joy that comes from creating change in iconic household names.

7. MORE THAN MONEY

Having a reason to get out of bed that inspires not only yourself but is a rally cry for everyone else.

8. WORKING ON THE BUSINESS

Treating your own brand like a customer, dedicating the time and resources to growing it, marketing it and nourishing the people.

9. IT’S ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY

Products and services that encourage social consciousness and tackle complex social problems to create positive change in our community.

10. CELEBRATING

The power of pausing, validating and honouring completion through celebratory rituals.

Tune in over the coming weeks as I delve a little deeper into these top 10's!