23 Years Indie

Wow. 23 years ago I went independent.

Well the founder might not have changed but the products and services - and the culture - have. 

It was 6th December 1999 that I quit my job running the studios division of a small media group, and I launched iansanders.com. I said goodbye to job security and hello to the wild west of self-employed life. A world of carving out your own job spec, working out of coffee shops instead of offices, choosing curiosity over a plan. 

No walls and no rules. As I titled my very first early ‘00s blog.

It’s been a 23 year journey of experimentation, learning and adventure. Writing books. Co-founding an artist management company. Starting a web design venture. Business mentor. Launching my own marketing agency (our first client? Benetton!). Interim marketing director at a startup. Guest Lecturer. Coach. Trainer. Creative Consultant. Storyteller. Never standing still. A work life designed around Me.

Back then, I could never have planned where I find myself now. But to be honest, there was never a plan.

Three things I’ve learned over those two decades? Stay agile, stick to who you are, get comfortable being uncomfortable.

23 years Indie! Thanks to Zoë, I couldn’t have done this without your help and support.