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Writer's pictureAndy at Fireside Fundraising

Fireside is two!

Man holding cupcake with two candles


I can't believe I'm writing this - but Fireside Fundraising is two years old.


When I first set out to go freelance, I thought I'd do it for three months. I'd help a couple of charities, then return to the world of in-house fundraising somewhere.


But... here we are. Two years and 35 clients in, Fireside feels pretty special.


I was reflecting on my time as a 'Director' in the pub last night, and I was asked what advice I'd give myself at the start. I wanted to share that advice with you.





1. You don't have to 'go solo'.

For a lot of people, they see freelancing as making the leap to going it alone. When setting up a new project for your existing job, you see it as a chance to prove yourself - alone.But every human has two base fears: loneliness being one of them. Why make yourself lonely on purpose? One of the first projects I did under the Fireside brand was with a friend - Sarah Goddard had won a contract with a household name museum, and she offered to bring me in on it. From there, I asked Dee Russell to help me with the branding of a project, and now there's a team of four of us (Lisa ClaveringLucy MitchellJess Boyd and myself) permanently round the Fireside.We talk so much about siloes, but often we make them for ourselves. The next time you catch yourself saying 'I have to do this alone' - ask yourself whose voice is saying that.


2. Ask for what you need.

 Just before I set up Fireside, I was diagnosed with Diverticultis - a bowel condition that will occasionally flare up and cause me pain...for the rest of my life. With the right food and exercise, I can minimise the chances, but sometimes it'll happen due to stress or other reasons a bit beyond more control.The first time it flare up while I was working - I didn't know what to do. I'd promised a client a particular piece of work by a particular deadline, and I didn't know if I could ask for an extension on the basis that 'my tummy hurts'. Obviously, it was more severe than that, but that's how I thought it would land. Lisa Clavering (who was my coach at the time) spoke me through it and in my quietest voice, I asked for more time. The client obviously said yes. And in the times I've felt flare ups coming on since then, I've been quicker to ask - which, funnily enough, has meant I've had less flare ups!It sucks to tell someone you can't meet a deadline, or that you can't start a project when you said, but usually if you're authentic in explaining why it builds, rather than breaks, trust. I'd love to know... what's something you're telling yourself you can't ask for right now?


I truly can't believe it's been two years of Fireside - and I don't know how many more candles we can add before Fireside becomes Fire Risk... but I'm so glad to have you on this journey with me. 


Big love, 

Andy


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