If you’d asked me on my fifth birthday what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would have said “a writer.” By 12 I had my journalism career planned out (a stint in London, war correspondence) and at 19 had done the relevant training and work experience.

Then real life got in the way, and I found a job to do “in the meantime” in admin. But once you get into something, it’s hard to get out. I did well at each office I worked in, but I never felt fulfilled. I thought it would help to be self-employed, and while being my own boss made a difference, I still wasn’t doing what I really wanted to do.

So, just over a year ago, I decided that my job should be the one thing that made me happy, and didn’t feel like a chore and something I had to do. I met with a marketing company (who I’m still working with now) and they gave me the confidence to become a professional copywriter.

At a networking event on 28 August 2015 (I’m classing this as my birthday!), when asked what I did my answer was “a writer” and 12 months later the novelty hasn’t worn off. I still get butterflies of excitement when I say it, and it probably also helps that it makes me sound cool (it’s a cool job, but I’m still a word nerd).

In this past year, I’ve worked really, really hard, but while it’s been challenging, it’s never been boring, and this is the first time I’ve truly loved what I do. I’ve built up relationships with other business owners in my area, and I hope I’ve been able to point potential clients their way. I’ve met some lovely people with some inspiring ideas, and learned a lot about all sort of random things from those I’ve worked with.

I’ve also achieved quite a lot: I helped my friends Andrew and Pete by ghostwriting some of their (first?) book, The Hippo Campus. They have a global client base already and it’s amazing to be part of that.

I got to meet and mastermind with one of my business heroes, the Suitcase Entrepreneur Natalie Sisson. Part of my grand plan for the next 12 months is to make my business location-independent, and she’s the expert. She’s also friendly, approachable and a lot of fun, so I was super-excited to be involved with the mastermind and meet like-minded people from around the world, who understand where I’m coming from.

I’ve had my first international client, Jacqui, who’s based in Switzerland and works with organisations to help them become healthier across the board, from senior managers to junior staff, and I’m looking forward to seeing her business progress. I’m actively looking for more international work, and I’d love to go abroad to do it!

Closer to home, I’ve worked with a diverse group of local businesses, some well-established and some just starting out. I’ve written web copy, white papers, blogs, press releases and repurposed content, often about subjects I’m not even familiar with!

My work has been different every day and I never know what’s coming next (but in a good way!) I don’t entirely regret the 16 years I spent only writing on the side, but I wish I’d made the leap sooner. While print journalism is falling out of favour, the world still needs good storytellers who can get the important messages out there.

In a year from now, I hope I’m working more with high-impact entrepreneurs and helping people make a difference. Today, I’m in Copenhagen (unfortunately not for work!), celebrating my business birthday so I’ll just say “Skål” for now!