Growing Club Stories: Rebecca Young

Tell us a little about yourself

My name is Rebecca Young, and I’m hoping to set up a business centred around web design. My aim is

to support the work of individuals, small businesses, and non-profit organisations, particularly

those in the arts and culture sector, and ultimately to connect them with a like-minded audience.

Web design and development projects may also require additional services, such as

copywriting, branding, design for print, and illustration.

Which programme did you take part in…and why?

I enrolled in the Growing Club’s Roots and Shoots course as a way of helping myself overcome

the challenges I face. It is especially difficult for me to approach potential new clients, and to

promote my business either online or in person. This is largely due to social anxiety and low self-esteem. As a result, my earnings are definitely not at a level where I am able to support myself. I

have been afraid to take almost any step towards launching or growing my business in case it is

the ‘wrong’ one.

What do you feel you learned along the way?

Of course, these challenges aren’t the kind that disappear overnight, or even after a year. But

signing up – and showing up – for the Roots and Shoots course was, for me, hugely important

progress. In the final session, we were asked to choose three words that summarise our

experience of the course. One of the words I chose was ‘fortifying’. What I mean by this is that

Roots and Shoots has provided me, piece by piece, with a practical toolkit that makes me feel

stronger.

While I don’t immediately have all the answers, I have learned how to look within and ask myself

useful questions. When I market my services, who am I really speaking to, and crucially, how

can I use my creative skills to help them? Business ownership is subject to turbulence and

change, but what specific things am I able to control? What can I do to recharge when it all gets

too much? I can sit with these questions, grab a pen and paper, and write or doodle until I can

better understand the problem I’m trying to solve.

A key achievement for me was participating in the 20-day Growing Club video challenge. Not

only was this an invaluable opportunity to practice creating video content for social media, but I

noticeably grew in confidence over the 20 days. With practice and preparation, and the gentle

encouragement of the other women participating, I was able to achieve something that I found

immensely difficult. I learned a lot about myself as a person, and was able to lean into some of my

natural inclination towards storytelling.

What are your next steps?

My next steps are to attend the sessions with my Growing Club mentor with enthusiasm and

purpose, to decide on a viable pricing model for my services, to expand my portfolio with fresh

design work, to launch my own website and social media accounts, and of course to complete

my business plan.

All that’s left is to say a huge thank you to Jane, Ginny, Sarah, Julia, and Wendy, and of course

all of my Roots and Shoots course mates. I think you’re all incredible and I wish you every

success with whatever you choose to do next.

You can find out more about our Roots and Shoots Programme here. Please contact us with any questions – rebecca@thegrowingclub.co.uk