August 8 is International Cat Day. In 2019, as well as celebrating feline friends around the world, it was the day I launched Mike Crutchley Media.

Three years on, while there have been some blurry moments in between, I remember that day it like it was yesterday. Having sorted out the cats with their gourmet treats to celebrate their special day, I sat at my newly installed desk and wondered what sort of clients I would I be helping. Would I be able to work from home (!) and what happens when I’m not here?

Despite any concerns I may have had, I have had the pleasure of working with fantastic clients from day one. I have enjoyed helping companies in all sorts of different industries. I have learned new things and I have learned to do other things differently.

One of the biggest plusses for me has been getting back to basics and writing. Gone are the days of ploughing through stories to fill the bottomless pits of daily and weekly newspapers. Instead, I can spend more time interviewing and researching a subject or topic, and can then work on the best way of presenting the final piece for a website or publication.

I was reminded of this recently after carrying out an interview and told the client they would have the draft the next day. The daily newspaper journalist in me means I still feel guilty if I don’t start writing a piece the moment the interview ends. I can still hear the voices of my tutors at college, as well as inspirational senior colleagues saying “write it while it’s fresh in your mind”. It is good advice and something I would encourage budding journalists today to follow.

I had started to write the piece but was unable to finish it straight away and came back to it the following morning. Having been inspired by something on the TV the previous night, I came up with a completely different line for it which the client loved. The lesson for me has been quality over quantity or speed. And I get a real buzz when a client tells me they love what I have done.

Throughout the three years, there have been far more ups than downs, although a pandemic six months into my new venture and losing mum to cancer earlier this year have been major blows. Traumatic events like this make you see life very differently and help you realise the importance of family and loved ones.

So it is a changed me that embarks on year four of this journey, older, probably not wiser, but ready for whatever the future holds.

The cats have also pointed out that today is once again International Cat Day - the biggest celebration to be held each year on August 8.

Thanks to everyone for all the help, support and love this past year.

And for anyone having trouble sleeping, here are my first and second birthday blogs:

https://www.mikecrutchleymedia.co.uk/happy-first-birthday-to-mike-crutchley-media

https://www.mikecrutchleymedia.co.uk/happy-second-birthday-to-me