Have you ever dreamt of being your own boss, of choosing where and how you spend your time? As long as you have the right mindset, strong dedication, perseverance, and a vision for the future, putting up your business or venturing into a new career path is not only possible but very achievable as well!
In this article, Harmoni's marketing consultant, Camille Thiebaut, shared how she finally said goodbye to the corporate world and became the boss herself. Camille’s story might inspire you to reach for your goals and work hard to achieve them. You may not know, but it could be your most exciting quest yet!
What are some of your daily habits?
I’m a pretty active person. I enjoy a workout daily and go for some long walks with my dog. It keeps me healthy and energetic. I work from home mostly, which allows me to be in a relaxing environment.
What is your working style?
I mostly work by myself, as I know exactly what my clients expect, but sometimes I have an intern with me for 2–3 months. It’s quite nice, as working from home as a microentrepreneur can be quite lonely, even though I do a lot of video calls with teams around the globe.
What does your work desk look like? What type of desk do you prefer?
I have my own private workspace in my house, which I decided to decorate, especially to push my productivity to the highest point. One of my walls is a bright color that pushes good vibes and my energy up. In terms of furniture, I’ve decided to mostly have wood products, including my Harmoni Standing Desk. For me, it just gives me a very calming feeling while I’m busy with work.
Mostly, my desk is clean, I have plants and flowers around me, and candles with special scents that I love. Literally, my office space is also where I do my yoga, so this can show that it’s a very nice environment to be in.
Tell us a bit about your business.
I’m a marketing consultant. I’ve been in digital marketing for years now. I used to work in a big corporate group but decided that I needed to be my own boss.
My scope of work is quite large, I do social media, content marketing, some SEO work, influence marketing, and much more.
The best part of this all is that I can work from wherever I want. Freedom at its best.
What do you enjoy most about being an entrepreneur?
I like the challenge of it. If I’m lazy and I don’t want to work hard, then I don’t get paid. It’s that simple. So it gives me a purpose.
And being my own boss is great. I decide where, when, with whom, and how I work. It’s very liberating. But you know, there are also some downsides. We just have to deal with them.
What has been your biggest "a-ha" moment?
Well, I think the key moment for me was the day I decided to quit my 9-5 corporate job, and fully work as my own boss for my own company. At that moment, I was micromanaged, I had 2 hours of commute each day, and I was paid alright but didn’t have any employee perks. And WOAH, becoming my own boss, I could decide what I wanted to do, when, with whom, etc. It has really become a real game-changer for me.
I do think I would have a hard time going back to a normal work schedule, 9-5.
How do you manage feelings of doubt?
I do get a bit stressed sometimes because, you know, clients can stop working with me whenever they want, and then my business is jeopardized.
As I’m a very organized person, I always do my best to avoid some moments of doubt by always having a plan B! That is key. Let's say I lose a client. Then what are my quickest options to put in place, etc
My active and sporty lifestyle also helps a lot because working out and doing CrossFit is the best way to unwind during stressful times.
What’s the most impactful lesson you’ve learned over your career thus far?
One thing I realized not too long ago is the fact that, if we are feeling stressed, or anxious about something, it always feels like it’s making us sick. Then, stop doing it.
Mental health is way too important and we should put this first.
One of my clients was really demanding and micro-managing my work for a while, and it would really make me upset. After one month of thinking, I decided to stop the collaboration, even though I was paid well. For me, you shouldn’t compromise your health for the sake of your health.
What advice would you give to someone just starting a business?
Think big! Never listen to someone that puts your ideas down. Always surround yourself with positive people that push you in the right direction.
And stay organized because the growth of your business can happen very fast, but if your foundation in the way you work is great, then you will grow very easily and without stress.
Thinking back to your career journey, what’s an interesting story that stands out?
I would say networking has built my career. This is just so important. Since I started, I haven’t had to search for a new client once! I’ve used my network and word of mouth to get my business to where it is now.
The funny story is, I used to work with the CEO of Harmoni right after university, for a big UK brand. And then, 5 years later, he was my first client, and still is!
What are you working on now? (Future plans for your business)
I am currently adding more skills to my offering as a content creator as I work with photography and videography. Something that I truly enjoy and that helps mix up my days a little bit.
Do you use a standing desk? If so, would you recommend it?
I’ve been using a Harmoni standing desk since 2019. This is just the best accessory in my workspace. Every time I have people coming to work with me at home, they always want to use it.
I just really enjoy it because it keeps me active while working, and I’m clearly being very productive while using it. Most of the time, I'm switching between standing and sitting positions (every morning I stand, and every afternoon I sit).
I’m recommending this to everyone who is looking for a product that will be beneficial for their health and keep them active.
I used to be really bad at posture while working, but now I just feel much better and it has trained me to stay straight even when not working.
The best investment you will make this year, I can promise this!
The Takeaway
In today’s fast-paced society that values accomplishments, it’s no surprise that many people want to be successful. The desire to succeed can come from almost anything you value, whether it’s your education, your relationships with your friends or family, or perhaps success in your career. Camille used her passion for content creation as her motive for success, and she overcame the challenges that came with pursuing her dream job-being the #Girlboss. If anything, we hope that Camille’s story will give you a push today in the direction of your own goals—whatever those goals may be.
Regardless of where you are, the choice is always yours. You can work at a desk that may seem stifling or challenging, behind a computer and in the same spot every day. Or you could fling your door open and walk out to experience all the amazing things life has to offer. What you choose depends on you, so make an active choice – grab beginnings by the forelock and let them take you on a grand tour of life!