Why I Am Proud to Wear the Pinny

Today I am back to work in my other role - my part-time job in the local coffee shop ‘The Cream Chimneys.’

It has been open since June for takeaways and they started welcoming customers for table service in July, but with my childcare responsibilities being what they are I have had to wait until my employers knew how busy they would be and where I would fit in the rota.

And they have been busy. For a number of reasons, I imagine. The first being that in the 3 years since they opened they have already established a loyal customer base, keen to get back to their favourite eatery. Secondly, we are benefiting from a recent boost in tourism since the end of lockdown and thirdly the government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme.

I am glad to be back. As someone who is still in the early stages of building my business, my day job is important to me.

It is an extra, regular income stream. It’s a break from the screen. I also enjoy the social aspects of being able to talk to customers face to face - albeit behind a face mask or visor in these post COVID times. I like to be efficient as a single mum with limited time, so it’s better for me if part of my social life can also be earning a bit of scratch on the side.

I love interacting with my copywriting clients, but often that’s via email or on the phone. It’s always nice to have a tete-a-tete IRL, but there will be less of that for now.

Waitressing is a great experience for improving my customer service, something which is essential to the success of my copywriting business.

It is easy to forget about common courtesy when dealing virtually with people, especially at the end of the ‘customer journey’ when the work is signed off and the money’s in the bank.

Not enough people take the time to thank their customers. Happily in my other role, I can thank them right away with a nice smile or ‘smeyes’ (if I am wearing my face covering) to give them the full human experience.

Not so easy to give people the warm and fuzzies online, but you should have procedures where you follow up: with a thank-you and a back-end with special offers and promotions that would be of benefit (the caveat: offering real value). One way to do this is through email newsletters to your subscribers.

Getting a part-time job is something to consider if you are just starting out, or if things are looking a bit ropey in your industry.

Conversely, if you are working, why not go self-employed on the side?

You don’t have to lump all your scones on one tray and say: ‘I am a self-employed business person now,’ or ‘I can’t leave the security of my job.’

Lockdown taught us ain’t no such thing as security.

And as my dad always says, ‘If in doubt do both.’

The beauty of doing both is that one role feeds into the other: informing me, giving me a different perspective and improving my skills. I feel happier in my ‘day job’ as it is like a holiday from kids and staring at a computer screen for hours on end. And it mitigates the fear of going it alone, self-employed as I have that safety net while I build my business.

I also like working for Wayne and Jane as they are entrepreneurial and forward-thinking, yet focused and organised in their procedures. Their business was a long-held dream they made a reality and have made it a success including winning the awards for ‘Best New Business in Scotland 2018’ and ‘Best Cafe in the Borders 2018.’

So, hopefully, I can learn a few things from them about how to grow a successful business (albeit one in a different sector).

Now, can I take your order?

10 per cent off all product descriptions booked in until August 31st rachel@rachelhunterwriting.co.uk