Simple moves that will put a smile on your face
It’s not always easy running your own business, so here are some brands that offer a feel-good pick me up for solopreneurs. We’re all in this together – let’s make that experience as joyful as possible!
There are ideas here from renting cool workspaces, motivational prints for your desk, chic stationery, easy ways to green your business, a directory of small businesses to support, sustainable packaging, fairtrade laptop cases, yoga to do at your desk and app to track your work wins. Guaranteed to brighten your day!
PUT UP A MOTIVATIONAL PRINT
Olivia Herrick Designs
Olivia has her finger on the pulse! One of these prints by your desk would get you in a great frame of mind from the get-go. Every design she posts on Instagram makes me want to share it immediately – I only hold back so I don’t look like a massive groupie 😉
OFF-SET YOUR CARBON EMISSIONS
Green Spark
A really easy – and cost-effective – way to balance out the environmental impact of your business. You can link your website to plant a tree (or as many trees as you like) with every product sold, for as little as £4 per tree. They give you easy to use widgets so you can show the impact your customers are having, and share your environmental commitment. I’m proud to have been using their service since 2022, and have so far planted 900+ trees through this business.
SUPPORT OTHER SMALL BUSINESSES
Holly & Co
Looking for client gifts? Holly & Co is a curated set of unique gifts from small businesses, set up by the founder of Not on the High Street. Choose from arts and prints, wellbeing and food & drink. Knowing you’re buying from another small business is a great feeling!
TAKE A PROPER LUNCH BREAK
Be the boss you'd love to have!
Self-employed people so often end up working longer hours than a typical office job. We need a break though – we’re more productive after a break, so it’s nonsensical to push through all day without a proper break. You’ll get more done if you do take a break! And you’ll feel so much better, reminding your body and your mind that there’s more to life than work 🙂 Get outside, stretch your legs, take your lunch to the park. Live a little!
TREAT YOURSELF TO A STYLISH SIT/STAND DESK
Back Care Online
Sit-stand desks can be a bit underwhelming from a design perspective, so I was really pleased when I came across this design! The scandi vibe is cool, and the simple design would work with most design schemes. Go on, treat yourself – and your back!
COOL & SUSTAINABLE LAPTOP CASES
Urth
Padded laptop sleeves that are simple and chic, with the added bonus of having a 100% recycled outer shall – and it’s weatherproof!
Harber London
Really elegant leather and fabric sleeves for Macbooks and iPads – including a recycled option. Beautifully made and with a range of prices, some at the £50 mark but more at the £100+ point. Let’s support British craftsmanship!
CELEBRATE YOUR WORK WINS
It’s so easy to just finish something and then move on to the next thing. Take a moment though to recognise what you’ve just completed. For the self-employed, it’s so important to give yourself recognition and no one’s going to do this for you! The dopamine hit is invaluable, but it’s also so good for your tracking your development and milestone moments.
Android: Little Victories app
iOS: Little Wins app
Designed for ADHD minds, but useful for all!
WORK DAY YOGA
Yoga at your desk with Adrienne
Adrienne must be one of the most relaxing yoga teacher of all time – the prospect of doing a long call but secretly doing some yoga at the same time is very tempting.
After work: Yoga With Tim
I admit to having a massive crush on Tim. Watching him do yoga in stunning locations like beaches really works for me! Scheduling it in at the end of my work day gives me a real reason to get everything done in time, I never want to skip a session with Tim 😉
I hope that helps!
I’d love to hear if you try any of these brands. And if you have any suggestions that brands that should be on this list, so send them over – I can keep adding to this selection!
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