With the rise of freelancers and side hustlers taking their dream job into their own hands, there has been an unnoticeable rise in new businesses, and startups. YAY if that’s you!! Definitely excited times ahead!

From creating a logo and brand, through to setting up a website, and creating a marketing plan for your new venture. You will have lots to think about and lots to do.  That being said, I want to help you name your business.  So today, I will be sharing my top tips on how to name your business.

As we step into a New Year, I wanted to share my goals for the year ahead and my learnings from the year just gone >

Earlier this year I was a finalist in the Cambridgeshire Digital Awards 2016 in the Creative and Marketing category. When I found out I was a finalist I had mixed emotions, I was over the moon, but I was also nervous, scared and a little worried if I am honest.

What do I say? How will I introduce myself? Other finalists are in teams, I will be all alone, will anyone talk to me? - All these questions ran through my head and as an introvert I am awful at networking, especially when it comes to talking about my business, so I decided this is something I need to work on.

That is where this post comes into play. I can’t be the only introvert, or the only person to struggle when it comes to networking, so I wanted to share my tips on how I overcame, or rather dealt with, the issues and how you can as well.

When I first started blogging I fell in love, I was writing articles whenever I got the chance. I had so much to share I wanted others to learn what I had learnt too. I slowly noticed I gained a following. All of this was unintentional at the time.

I continued as I started and was offered a guest author position to write articles for a leading online magazine and resources site for designers and developers. At this point, I was over the moon as something I enjoyed doing was helping others.

Since then I have revamped my brand and website, and have even taken on a guest post on my own website as well.

YAY!! My freelance side hustle business - Krishna Solanki Designs - is a finalist for Marketing and Creative category in the Cambridgeshire Digital Awards 2016. Read more about the categories here >

It's crazy how things can all happen at once. The last time I wrote anything on my blog and business was before my family holiday and that was already 3 weeks ago (or was it 4 weeks ago?). It's gone so quickly that I haven't even had time to breath and settle back into work/life. I guess that's the reality of a side hustling business owner with a family. I'm not complaining at all but just sharing why I have been MIA for a while.

I have lots of lovely updates to share and also lots of new things to reveal in the next few weeks so keep your eyes peeled for lots of interesting emails coming your way!

In the meantime, here's the super-duper down low on the latest on things going at the KSD headquarters! :)

I started blogging just over a year ago when I decided to take my freelance business more seriously and officially set up as a small business. Before then I had a blog, with my old portfolio, and I loved writing but I found I never kept up with posting as much as I wanted, and so I stopped blogging altogether.

That was a big mistake!

Looking back at that time and also taking on board the learnings of the past year as a small business owner, I wanted to share 7 reasons to why you should blog.

To run a successful business it is essential to understand the importance of feedback and communication with a client or customer. Sometimes it is easy, other times it is challenging, it is not usually the same with every client, so one rule fits all doesn't really apply.

One thing that I have learnt being a Designer, is that my clients have always wanted to share their thoughts and input with regards to their project - Too right as well as they are, after all, paying for a service and will receive a product - branding, a website or both!

In today's post, I want to share 5 helpful tips to improve your feedback and communication with your client or customer.

For a lot of solopreneurs, entrepreneurs, or side hustlers running your business is usually done working from home - whether that's a nice little office set up in a corner of your home, or on the sofa every evening with your laptop on a cushion in front of you. Staying productive, motivated and managing your time is something that all business owners need to stay on top of so as tempting as it sounds to be able to stay in your PJ's, have a lazy start to the day and spend hours on social media websites - networking of course! - you still need to integrate some structure and routine into your daily working from home routine.

I've managed to improve my schedule and manage my time in the past year and today I wanted to share my top tips on sticking to the rules, staying productive and being motivated to keep on top of it all.

Wow! My first full year as a business owner is complete!

...So many questions, so many hesitations! But one thing was for sure, I enjoy doing what I do and that is designing! Read more about my first year learnings >>>

When I first set up my website I knew what pages I wanted. I knew I wanted a Portfolio, a Blog, an About me, and a Work With Me page detailing my packages and process, and obviously a Homepage. It was quite straight forward. All the pages were quite self-explanatory, but when it came to actually detailing these pages I was surprisingly stuck on what to write on my "About me" page.

As a side hustler myself I know I wear quite a few hats. I single handed handle all areas of my freelance business and its crazy how many things I have open at any one given time. The problem is I need to keep on top of all my tasks and the only way I can do that is by using a handful of tools that help me stay on track. The best thing about it is they even help me streamline my process so I can be uber efficient!

So today I wanted to share my top 10 tools I use to run my creative business.

An overview of KSD 2015...

From designing my website portfolio and starting to blog again, to moving over to Squarespace and setting up my freelance business properly... 2015 has been a good year! Read more >

What is Client Homework you ask? Your client's ideas, brain dumps, visions... what they see their branding and website to look like. That is ultimately the goal you are working towards.

In this article I've shared some tips and advice I've picked up, about how to manage your client homework and why it is vital to your business growth... Find out more >>

We all love the feeling of signing a new client! It is exciting, rewarding and there is a area of the unknown.

But have you stopped to think about repeat business from your existing clients? No? Then this article is for you!

Here are 5 ways to reap the benefits of your existing client base and turn that business relationship into a valuable source of income. Find out more >>>

Being in the design industry, where it is ever-evolving, competitive and heavily populated it is easy to get lost in the midst of the many designers. Every one of those designers has their own confidence level.

As one of those designers, I wanted to share my view on what it's like working in the design industry and how it can influence your self confidence. Read more >>

As a founder or entrepreneur, you can't ignore the highs and the lows of the fast-paced startup industry!

Here are some of my favourite design quotes to help boost your motivation! ... Take me to the quotes >>