Unashamedly Creative 2014 wrap-up

It’s that time of year again!

2014 has been another exciting year at the new Illawarra freelancer HQ for Unashamedly Creative. With a move to Bulli, the launch of Hacking Happiness and a wonderful bunch of new projects under my belt, it’s certainly been fun and challenging.

Now is the time to wrap up the year, do a little bit of reflection and of course, start planning for the New Year.

2014 freelance highlights include:

January-

January saw me continue the social media and blogging for collaborative consumption startup StageBitz. This groundbreaking marriage between software, logistics and theatre spent an awful lot of time making waves in Australia, the UK and USA. And it was truly an honour to see the online and mobile based chapters taking shape.

February-

It’s been a while between book marketing gigs, but Legends of Eostra certainly made up for that! This beautiful young adult novel brings together imagination, mythology and mystery in one lovely little package. Helping Dan Sanders launch his first book and teaching his support team social media definitely made February fun.

March-

Bringing a whole new generation of bridge players to the game began with the successful launch of the North Shore Bridge Club’s learn to play bridge site. It was great to team up with my old boss, Bruce, from the Lavalife days and bring a website to life that encapsulated all the fun of bridge.

April-

Meeting Libby from InCharge has really been wonderful. Working with Libby to shape copy, finesse events and webinars, and generally coach on marketing and drawing a crowd has been very fulfilling. I am a long time supporter of disability services and empowering people with disability. I know from my own experience that having allies who see beyond the disability and giving you opportunity is more than half the battle. Working with InCharge helps me play a regular part in making that battle a little easier (I hope!).

May-

Anyone who knows me knows I am a sucker for anything pet related, so it was with a genuine excitement that I began my work with the wonderful team at Fox Valley Animal Hospital. Working with Vet Alex Britten and his team to create a beautiful website and content plan, and then transitioning into working with his lovely team of vet nurses on social media and blogging has made 2014 absolutely pawfect!

June-

Helping fledgling homewares website Grand Living Homewares gain their online feet after a few development hurdles was certainly tricky but rewarding. As was helping with the initial discussions of what is hot new content agency, Hemingway.

 

July-

July saw me start studying TV pilot writing with AFTRS with the amazing Susan Bower. It was a mad scramble to get tasks in on time every week but it was well worth it. She’s a very supportive no-nonsense writer. If you have the chance to work or learn from her, take it!

Speaking of mad scrambles, July was also a mad scramble to make sure Australian first in boat building, the beautifully designed and seriously eco-friendly house boat ‘MotherShip’ ready for her debut at the Sydney boat show. It was amazing working with Tim and his team to make a social media splash to remember.

August-

Cooking up great ideas and giving a little sprinkle of inspiration to the MamaBake team gave August a little zest and zing. We got down and dirty amongst the laundry, feminism and the collaborative consumption scene.

August also saw my introduction to the progressive and playful market research dynamos, Play Market Research. Being a little research nerd myself, it has been great helping the guys share their refreshing take on market research with the FMCG and packaging set.

September- (the month I became an Illawarra freelancer- eep!)

Big life changes happened in September with me, my partner and our lovable Lab Gibson pulling up stumps from Waverley and moving to Bulli. While the move to Wollongong saw my partner change jobs after 14 years, it was business as usual for Morale Officer Gibson and me. Oh, except that I am now proud to call myself an Illawarra freelancer of course!

It took 3 days of solid moving with a huge van and an awful lot of time spent driving between Sydney and Wollongong. All the hard yakka moving was well worth it. We’re loving life in the Illawarra down by the beach enormously.

I also began working on a very exciting new project regarding real estate. I can’t wait to share the details!

October-

If you had asked me a month earlier if I would be happily writing about poo and hot water services, I would have laughed. However, great stories come in all shapes and sizes, and none is more interesting than Pipe Perfection Plumbing. I’ve already learnt an amazing amount about environmentally friendly plumbing and plumbed the depths of Sydney’s pooey past.

I’ve also started working with the amazing Phoebe from Good Business Consulting. They are all a great bunch to work for and I am really enjoying myself. Who knows what 2015 will bring!

November-

Finally, the long awaited official launch for side project, Hacking Happiness, happened. Brook McCarthy and I have been working away and strategising in the background, just waiting for the right moment. And that moment was my November birthday.

We’re aiming to bring much needed stress-relief and productivity assistance to solo-operators, freelancers, startup employees and small business owners’ right around the country.

I also started to settle into the Illawarra freelancer routine by organising Freelance Jungles for Wollongong.

December-

December has seen me facing the most interesting challenge of the year. Namely, launching the Blacktown Markets brand new website before the developer has twin girls! Yes folks, it’s been a race against the delivery date for me, the boys from Blacktown and Cathy from Two Ten Solutions.

There are other happenings and projects afoot but unfortunately, my lips are sealed until they launch!

Festive season hours

Considering the only holiday this Illawarra freelancer has had in two years has been to move cities, I will be taking some time off over Christmas.

Unashamedly Creative services will be unavailable from the 22^nd of December through until the 5^th of January 2015 due to holidays.

 

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Freelance Jungle crowd, my awesome clients and colleagues, and all my readers for making 2014 such a highlight.

My trusty Morale Officer Gibson and I look forward to working with you again in 2015.

Want to book with this Illawarra freelancer? Get in touch now.