10 years of Nutcracker: a note from our CEO

And just like that it is 10 years.

To say it seems like yesterday I registered Nutcracker Agencyon Company House would be a lie - anybody who has founded and grown a business will know it is all-encompassing. It pushes you from all angles to every level of emotion you can feel.

You have to dig deep through the really, really tough times and learn lessons from every mistake and not make the same mistake twice.

You learn that you pay the price when you ignore your instincts and that the true champions of you and your dream are worth everything.

I have been lucky to have been supported and championed by special individuals who have pushed me when I don’t think I can do it anymore, who have cheered every success and have been there to wipe the tears when I have been exhausted by the journey.

Nutcracker represents something magical to me. It represents authenticity, respect, excellence, creativity and a unwavering belief in conducting business in the right way with the right partners.

It’s hard to condense the journey, but below are a few things I have learnt in the last 10 years of running Nutcracker Agency:

• The people who go the extra mile are the ones who make your business special.
• Never take your champions for granted, they are the ones giving you the kick to achieve your goals.
• You cannot replace caring with processes. Everything starts with how much you want to do a good job and how much you care. Processes empower mindset rules and are essential for strong foundations.
• A bad deal is always a bad deal no matter how hard you try to justify it in your head.
• Terrible working hours affect your soul. Safeguard them as best you can, burnout is always burnout no matter how you dress it up.
• Surround yourself with people you trust and do not work with people you don’t.
• Be transparent with what your team need to achieve.
• You are only as good as your department leads and line managers.
• One person cannot fix it all.
• Lead by example, do not ask others to do anything you would not do yourself.
• That client that undervalues you and sucks your time also sucks your growth.
• The team member who is not able to show up in line with your company values probably never will, and that hurts morale.
• Have a growth plan in place at all times.
• Never stop innovating.
  

Thank you to the truly remarkable clients who have trusted Nutcracker over the years with their strategy, creative direction, brand building and lead generation. There would be too many businesses and leaders to thank, but I see all of you and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Lastly, thank you to the Nutcracker Agency team and all the individuals who have been part of the journey since inception. It has been a phenomenal experience and the reality it is, none of it would have been possible without serious talent, exceptional mindsets and fundamentally good people.

Here’s to Nutcracker’s next chapter.