Self Employed for One Year!

It's a year to the day that I chucked in my well paid job, with company car, health care, substantial shopping discount and world travel opportunities to work from home, trying to start up a new business in probably the toughest trading conditions for a long while.
In my defence when I had handed my notice in 6 months prior to that the recession was hinted at, but it seemed a bit of press hype.
So was it worth it? Like most anniversaries you do tend to mull over your past year, what you've achieved, and what you've missed, and I have to say yes. I have met so many lovely people who I would never have met if I had stayed in my comfort zone. Firstly Fiona for setting up a business with me, she must be mad! The lovely Kim from Lavender Ladies, who I meet up with every now and again for a chat and sanity. Phillippe from Blue Earth Solutions, who is my Sage - always willing to help and listen. Jo Verity the very cool jeweller, who like me is just setting up. It's also brought me closer to my friends who have supported me by helping at shows, (thank you mary!), putting up with my appalling book keeping, (Amy you are a very patient person!), and Lindsey who has helped to create the look of Ochre & Ocre, and who is a real rock.
I go to the gym most mornings, so despite the stress of self employment I am fitter and healthier!
I get to spend more time with Gert, the coolest bulldog in the world.
And I believe I have a product range that has good credentials, looks nice and is well made - there is just some work still to do in making other people aware of it!
So in the true tradition of anniversaries I will be opening a bottle of wine with Paul to toast to the future - and new opportunities. Yes it's scary, but like my favourite proverb: We must risk going too far, to discover just how far we can go".