On Four Years
Each year, I mark G Sharp’s anniversary with a reflection on the previous year. Amazingly, today marks my fourth fourth such entry. It was Monday, September 30, 2019 when I publicly began operating under the banner of G Sharp Design.
Before I began writing this one, I went back and read each of my previous three 9/30 blogs. The progression is fascinating, as each year’s entry is defined by a prevailing theme:
Year One: On the transition from W2 employee to freelancer.
Year Two: On growing a business amidst a pandemic and new parenthood.
Year Three: On surpassing my grace period and deeming this a worthwhile endeavor.
This is still a baby business in many respects, but four years feels like a milestone. I’ve now been running this shop longer than I was in high school or college. No diploma this time, but something about it still seems substantial. Four years is a long enough run to feel like you’re not exactly a beginner anymore. If you pick up a hobby and focus on it every day for four years, you’re going to be pretty good at it. While I don’t claim to be any sort of business luminary or the world’s most gifted creative mind, I am confident I am in the right seat.
Looking back at the last 12 months: More than 50 book projects have crossed my desk, covering all manner of subjects from memoirs to self-help to poetry to fiction to recipe books. The authors of these books live as close as my hometown of Charleston, SC and as far away as Sydney, Australia. G Sharp has eclipsed 60 5-star reviews between Google, Reedsy, and Facebook. New business is coming in from a variety of channels: vendor partners, client referrals, and even Google searches. The coals are burning hot and I am grateful.
It’s worth noting that “new business” doesn’t merely represent revenue. Cheese warning, but it’s true: every author I engage with becomes a part of my life. I don’t have coworkers, but do get plenty of personal interaction thanks to the fascinating individuals I work with. My job deals in the exchange of ideas, and a byproduct of what I do is exposure to the expertise of so many impressive people. I am a smarter, more appreciative person thanks to the authors who choose to partner with G Sharp.
I frequently get to know my authors beyond the traditional bounds of a business relationship. We connect in person or on social media, and get glimpses of the people we are on a personal level. When the facade of “business formality” evaporates, we can bond on a level that transcends the typical client / service provider relationship. This creates a comfort level that supercharges the collaboration. It also results in a lasting connection that continues long after the project’s conclusion. For example, I’ve had authors passing through town who’ve come to see me play music. One local author welcomed my family and I over for dinner.
As my client Anthony Damaschino told me, “The most valuable asset we have in life, beyond our immediate family, is the people and the network we meet and build along the way.” When I take a step back and consider what about this job is fulfilling to me, I am sure it has little to do with having my work praised, or cashing a check. It really is all about the people. Authors who live all across the world and are hoping to find someone to guide them through the final, critical stages of their book writing journey. Anthony’s a great example of this. We’ve never met. We live 3,000 miles from each other. And yet there’s a comfort level in our working relationship that had us both excited to power through a rather intensive book build.
When I take a step back and consider what about this job is fulfilling to me, I am sure it has little to do with having my work praised, or cashing a check. It really is all about the people.
Perhaps Anthony is emblematic of what has defined my fourth year in business. He is one of 175+ clients from all over the world who I’ve worked with since founding G Sharp. As that number continues to grow, it is humbling to consider that I might never have interacted with any of them had I not decided to give this whole entrepreneur thing a shot.
“Gratitude” is a trendy buzzword in the modern era, but perhaps it’s just the one that should define Year Four. I am not afraid to take a bit of credit for my success, but no business is worth a thing without the people who depend on it. So I will conclude with a heartfelt thanks to G Sharp’s clients, vendor partners, and supporters for helping me get to where I am. So very excited for what Year 5 has in store and all the people who will come into my life.
Yours In Design,
George B. Stevens
Founder + Book Designer
G Sharp Design