Each month, we ask one of our industry peers, freelancers we work with or indie business owners we rate the all-important Claude's 4 Questions. Read on to find out this month's tips.
Our guest for May is Claude's own marketing helper and one-woman band at Cereal Milk, Joana.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING THEIR OWN BUSINESS?
I'm going to be practical here: get an accountant! The amount of time I spent trying to get my head around tax returns and general HMRC things was not worth it. The few ££ I spend each month with my lovely accountant almost pay themselves back with all the savvy tips and tricks I don't know (and honestly don't want to learn).
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE PIECE OF CLOTHING FROM CHILDHOOD?
It was something my mum and I liked to call the 'heavy skirt'. From what I remember, it was a pinafore style thick wool super warm dress. I grew up in the Algarve so was able wear it about 2 days a year, but when I did, it was the best.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PIECE IN THE CLAUDE & CO COLLECTION AND WHY?
The sage overalls! Can't wait for my still to be born child to be big enough to wear it.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB/BUSINESS?
My main working goal was always flexibility. I knew I didn't want to be working in an office from 9-5 so I tried to work towards not doing that. Bit by bit I started gaining more and more flexibility and nowadays I feel lucky to be able to work my own hours and mostly from wherever I want.