I’m An Octopus With Too Many Arms to Handle

Friday, 14 March 2025

Running a business solo often feels like being an octopus out of water. Too many arms, too much to juggle, and occasionally flailing wildly just to keep up.

One minute, you’re deep in content creation, the next, you’re drowning in admin, proposals and invoicing. And that’s just the business side.

I’m also a mum, wife, daughter, sister and auntie. Basically, a professional plate spinner.

When I first started Sophie Seddon PR, I was driven by my love for storytelling and connecting with people.

No one warned me about the less glamorous bits. Writing proposals, managing invoices, and figuring out the tax maze.

Turns out, you don’t just run a business. You build it, piece by piece.

One day you’re an architect, designing the future. The next, you’re the builder laying the foundations. Some days you’re the accountant, trying to make sense of the numbers, and others, you’re the admin assistant drowning in emails.

It’s all part of the process. Trial and error, and a few deep sighs over spreadsheets.

Luckily, I’ve learnt that support as a sole trader doesn’t always mean hiring staff. It comes from collaboration and a family that supports you.

Last week, I co-delivered a Content Strategy and Branding workshop with Janet Bebb of Social Progress as part of the West Yorkshire Innovation Festival.

It was a brilliant chance to share knowledge and connect with local businesses.

It was energising to see a great turnout and share insights, chat with fantastic local businesses, and learn from each other. Huge thanks to everyone who joined us.

A special thank you to Katie Walden Illustration who brought our session to life with her visual notetaking, and to Santander Work Café (Leeds) for hosting our event.

On the theme of learning, I also attended John McCombe’s financial planning workshop at John Smith’s Stadium.

Numbers have never been my best subject (I’m a wordsmith, not a number cruncher), but John’s practical steps for protecting business and personal assets got me thinking. Because, let’s be honest, while creativity fuels my business, financial planning sustains it.

Between workshops, networking and my usual whirlpool, I’ve been wading through client proposals and strategy meetings and connecting with potential new clients. I’ve also been enjoying mentoring through Huddersfield University’s Huddersfield Health and Innovation Partnership (HHIP) and Kirklees Council’s Thrive programme.

And, in a moment of bravery, I attended my first Yorkshire and Lincolnshire CIPR committee meeting. A great chance to connect with other PR pros, share experiences, and pick up fresh ideas.

So yes, sometimes it feels like I have more arms than I know what to do with. But the reality? I’m never really doing it alone.

Support comes in many forms, from trusted collaborators and industry peers to the brilliant network of fellow business owners who just get it.

So, what next?

Apparently, I’m being nudged into making video content with MJH ArtStudio. Will I step in front of the camera? Or will I dramatically avoid it?

Watch this space. Bloopers incoming. Maybe.

*Visual notetaking Illustration created by Katie Walden Illustration.