A Gen Xer’s guide to starting your own business

As a part of Generation X, I spent my childhood playing outside, riding my bike and later watching MTV. My generation is known for bridging the analog and digital world. So, it’s only fitting that my skills in talking, listening and writing grew to a more technology-focused role in marketing.

Spending 16 years in travel marketing as copywriter, brand manager, social media manager has shaped my skills and given me incredible opportunities to travel.

Once I’d learned the art of cross-channel marketing, I went agency-side to learn the intricacies of personalisation and account-based marketing.

After a brief career hiatus, it was time to re-focus. I’d always dreamed of going freelance and setting up my own marketing consultancy, but it was never the right time. But – us Gen Xers are known for being resourceful. Fast-forward to 2025 and I’ve finally made the leap to starting my own business.

2025 is a big year for me. I’m getting married in July and becoming part of the amazing Peachey family. I have a part-time job at a wonderful local company. So, now is the time to launch Peachey Marketing.

So here are my five key tips for starting your own business:

1. ‘Write about what you know’. It’s a cliché but you’re going to succeed in going freelance if it’s something you’re passionate about and good at!
2. Research into your line of work. What has changed? What is constantly changing? With AI and social media algorithms learning all the time, you need to be listening, reading, watching and keeping up-to-date with all the information that’s relevant to your business.
3. Sign up to relevant podcasts, follow thought leaders on social media, subscribe to newsletters and absorb new information daily.
4. Talk to people! Friends that have gone freelance, colleagues that know about running a business. It’s all helped me to develop my brand, build my website and get ranking on Google. Develop your network and keep in touch so that you can all help each other.
5. Promote! The way to raise awareness of your brand is to talk about it on every channel possible. Shout about it on your social profiles. Start generating interest using PPC ads. Tell people about it locally so that they can share your posts and generate engagement. It’s all about word of mouth and creating conversations.

Starting your own business is an exhilarating journey, and as a Gen Xer, you hold a wealth of experience and resourcefulness that can set you apart. Embrace the skills you’ve honed over the years, leverage your extensive network, and stay adaptable in this ever-evolving landscape. With determination and passion, you can transform your freelance dreams into a thriving business. Here’s to the entrepreneurial spirit of Gen X – let’s make our mark on the world!