Rochelle Humes gives her 6 top tips for starting your own business
What we learnt from this week's episode of Tim Campbell's podcast reWorking
Have you ever asked yourself – should I start my own business? How do I know if I’m ready?
That’s the question Rochelle Humes chatted with Tim Campbell about this week on his Rayo Original podcast reWorking.
If you haven’t listened yet, reWorking is hosted by business coach and The Apprentice UK’s first-ever winner Tim Campbell. Every week, Tim and a new guest help you solve your biggest work and money problems, from asking your boss for a pay rise to knowing when it’s time to quit – and everything in between.
Rochelle has built two businesses from the ground up – child-friendly hair and skincare brand Little Coco, and new affordable skincare range Eulah. On the podcast, she talks about how she decides when to leap and how she handles stepping into something new again and again. Rochelle shares many invaluable lessons from her journey and a few warnings, too.
Read on for a few things we learnt from Rochelle’s episode, which you can listen to now on Rayo, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts.
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How do you know if you’re ready to start a business or make a big work move?
Rochelle talks about the first job she ever talked her way into. She said she could rollerskate, but she couldn't. She turned up and gave it a go anyway. Rochelle still runs her business this way: A retailer offers an opportunity the business isn't quite ready for, she says yes, and then leaves the meeting and works out how to deliver.
The bottom line: you'll never be 100 per cent ready. Rochelle's view: if it scares you and you've got that knot in your stomach, that's usually a good sign.
But don't quit your job yet.
You should be open to risk. But should you quit your job to start your own business? Rochelle's answer is usually not yet.
Treat your job as the foundation that pays the bills, and build in your evenings and weekends. When the idea becomes something you're making real progress on and can't put down, that's the moment to think about the jump.
Protect your brand name at all costs
Rochelle spoke a lot about a trademark dispute she went through, which most people never hear about. Her advice: protect your name at all costs and get across trademarking more than you think you need to.
Know your why, or you'll sell it for the wrong price
Retailers came to Rochelle wanting a different version of the range she had pitched to them. They wanted her face on someone else's idea. She said no, and eventually got the deal she actually wanted, on her terms. Her advice is to stick to your mission.
Your thing comes easy to you and is hard for other people
Lots of people ask Rochelle how they'll know what their 'thing' is. Her test: it's the thing you do without thinking that other people find difficult.
When Rochelle was part of The Saturdays, she'd send photos back because the colour was off, and people thought she was a nightmare. Now it's what makes her a great creative director.
Control what you can control.
Rochelle says the only thing you can control is yourself, and how you react to what other people do.
Listen for the full discussion now
Who is Rochelle Humes?
From topping the charts with The Saturdays to becoming a television presenter, author, entrepreneur and founder, Rochelle has built a career that spans multiple industries. Millions of people know her from their TV screens, but she's also found immense success starting her skincare brands My Little Coco and Eulah.
What other guests are joining reWorking season two?
Other season two guests include Will Storr, Angela Duckworth, Simon Squibb, Ashley Walters, Dean Forbes, Frankie Bridge and Leah Meredith, Jamil Qureshi, Joel Dommett and Ben Shephard, Elfried Samba, Stacey Duguid and Georgie Barrat.
How can I listen to reWORKING season two?
Listen on Rayo, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts.
How can I stay up to date with Tim Campbell and reWORKING season two?
Follow @reworkingpodcast on Instagram and TikTok and @reWORKINGwithTimCampbellpod on YouTube.