Grainne McGarvey | Pulse PR Director
This month marks 15 years since I started Pulse PR – a milestone that feels both surreal and deeply satisfying. Working for yourself is one of the most rewarding and challenging things you can do. There’s no roadmap, no guaranteed wage, and no boss to lean on – but there’s also freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to work with clients and people you genuinely want to!
To mark this anniversary, I wanted to share 15 lessons I’ve learned along the way – the kind of advice I wish someone had given me when I started. Whether you’re just starting out or years into your own self-employed journey, I hope something here resonates, reassures, or re-energises you.
1. You are the business: People buy from you before they buy what you do. How you show up matters. Be consistent, be genuine, and be someone they want in the room.
2. Know your worth: You’re the expert, so let that show in how you price and present your work. Confidence in your value takes time to build, especially when it comes to setting rates, but it’s important not to undervalue yourself. My dad used to say: “If it’s £100 an hour, it’s £5 for the time and £95 for the expertise.” And if someone thinks it’s easy that’s okay, you can always let them try it themselves.
3. Bring your personality to the table: Unless you’re doing heart surgery, it’s okay to have a laugh. Clients remember how you made them feel, so be someone they enjoy working with.
4. Don’t overpromise and underdeliver: Self-employment lives and dies on trust. Guard your reputation. Be clear, be realistic, and do what you say you’ll do. Ireland, and more importantly Northern Ireland is a small place- if you throw someone under the bus – people will find out about it, and quickly.
5. Be flexible: When I started in 2010, print media was everything. Now it’s digital-first. I went back to night classes, ran social media for friends, learned the ropes. Adapt or get left behind.
6. Not every day feels like a win but keep going anyway: Some days are slow. Some are chaotic. Some are just… meh. Show up anyway. That’s what being self-employed is all about.
7. Your time is a non-renewable resource: Protect it like gold. That “quick coffee to pick your brain” may not be that quick and they can all add up. It’s okay to say no, especially if it’s not valuable or energising.
8. You can’t work in the business all the time: Client work pays the bills, but don’t forget to work on the business. Marketing, strategy, PR, visibility… no one else is going to do it for you.
9. Be your client’s biggest believer, and their clearest mirror: Encouragement matters. But so does honesty. Clients don’t hire you to tell them what they want to hear, they hire you to help them grow. And sometimes that means kindly telling the truth.
10. Be a problem solver: Things go wrong, it’s part of the job. What matters is how you respond. Clients are generally very understanding, but they do want solutions so be ready with a Plan b.
11. Come clean when you make a mistake: We all make mistakes. Own them, fix them, and move forward. People trust those who are honest more than those who pretend to be perfect.
12. Never stop learning: Things change fast. Stay curious. Read the blogs. Subscribe to the podcast. Try the thing. Ask the question. That’s how you stay ahead and stay relevant.
13. Structure gives you freedom: It might sound boring, but it’s true. Routines, tools, systems, they stop things slipping through the cracks and let you focus on the stuff that matters.
14. Community matters more than competition: Other self-employed people aren’t your rivals, they’re your support system. Find the ones who get it and stick with them.
15. Not every client is the right client: Sometimes, things just don’t click, and that’s okay. If something feels off, trust your instincts. Protect your energy, your values, and your peace of mind.
Get in touch if Pulse PR can help your business: info@pulseprni.com
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