If the recent pandemic has taught us anything, it's that life can change in the blink of an eye. We've learned the importance of being ready and vigilant, ready to adapt and pivot when faced with unexpected challenges. It was a time for reflection, prompting many of us to evaluate our day-to-day lives and make changes that prioritize our overall well-being. Whether it was finding a better work-life balance, embracing remote work, or even venturing into a new career path, we took the opportunity to better ourselves.
Now, as we emerge on the other side of the pandemic, it's safe to say that most of us have undergone some significant changes, experienced a tremendous learning curve along the way, and discovered aspects of ourselves that we may not have otherwise. Great challenges often lead to opportunities for growth, and our own journey at Somerton Creative is a testament to this. We successfully pivoted and launched a new business in an entirely different industry, Easypeasy! (more on that another time), during the first two years of the pandemic, and through this experience we learned invaluable lessons, seized opportunities, and experienced exponential growth.
While that tumultuous time is thankfully behind us, we must now consider the next hurdle on the horizon that could potentially disrupt our livelihoods and way of life. Could the threat of AI technologies be the next pivot we need to adapt with? It's highly likely. How will companies react to these advancements, and how will the job market be affected? Will there be a shift towards a subcontractor model, favouring "access" to skills and talents over the traditional employer-employee “ownership” model? Will we see the emergence of an “AI-jockey” type role where one uses these technologies to control multiple job responsibilities?
The shift towards access over ownership is not a new concept in our lives. Over the past 13 years, we've witnessed this transition in various aspects. We no longer own media; we subscribe to streaming services for on-demand access. We don't necessarily own cars or vacation homes anymore; we rely on ride-sharing platforms and online marketplace services for convenient access. This shift has saved costs and allowed us to have the things we desire only when we need them. It's naive to think that certain job industries won't undergo a similar transformation.
As the Creative Director of Somerton Creative, I've made the decision to create an entirely new product option—an innovative design subscription model that offers senior-level creative design expertise, including 20 areas of support, for a monthly block fee. By essentially productizing myself and my 15 years of industry experience into one comprehensive design subscription plan, my clients have the flexibility to opt in or pause at any time. As I continue to invest in my personal and career growth, including mastering the multitude of new AI technologies available, I bring added value to my clients and our relationship. Ultimately, this contributes to their growth while allowing me to maintain my independence, create a life structure that aligns with my goals, diversify my work experiences, and avoid stagnation. It's a win-win situation that has the potential to redefine the employee-employer model in certain sectors. As of launching the product option this week, I’ve converted 2 clients to a design subscription plan and have a few inquiry calls lined up. People are curious and are eager to learn more. Could this model work for what skills and talents you have to offer? It’s worth taking a moment to ponder.
While none of us can predict the future, betting on ourselves is usually a safe bet. Investing in ourselves, nurturing our relationships (both personal and business), and embracing our resilience can lead to remarkable outcomes. We've already proven our ability to overcome the challenges of the past. So, as we prepare for what lies ahead, let's face the next curveball with confidence. I got this, and you got this too! Together, we can tackle whatever comes our way.
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