It’s our birthday! Lyrical Host turns eight years old this month, and what a crazy time it’s been. Over the years we’ve seen major things happening in the world, including wars, a global pandemic, and the continuing development of AI. Not much, then…
Currently reading: 8 Things We've Learned In 8 Years Of Lyrical Host Share on X
So much has changed since 2017, when we first decided to start a company to create more genuine representation of women, minorities and people with chronic illnesses and disabilities in the web hosting space. We were convinced that we would be the first and then many more would pop up…but nope, eight years on it’s still us fighting the good fight.
In that time we’ve learned so many things about people, running a business, and grace. We’re lucky to be a part of so many journeys and experiences every single day, and we don’t take it for granted. So we’re here to share some of the important lessons we’ve learned on our own journey so far.
01. Having a voice (and a space) is more important than ever
In a world where the “truth” is increasingly just what the loudest group of people says, it’s never been more important to express yourself.
One of the reasons we originally started Lyrical Host (and later our sister company, The Createry), was to break down the tech barriers for people who had something to say.
Whether that was to head up an important cause, represent people who are traditionally underrepresented, to create a business, to share their purpose, or just to have some space for themselves where they had full control…we help make that happen by removing as much of the tech burden as possible without removing people’s freedom to explore and create.
We’ve only seen more of a need for this as time goes on. Social media networks’ popularity rises and falls, and they are very closed and controlled spaces where groups and accounts can be closed without warning. A website powered by open source software gives you the full freedom and control you need to fully express yourself, whether you’re writing a personal blog or managing a forum. Everyone has a social media account, but a website is a bigger authority, showcases a wide range of your skills, and is your base that remains constant (and impressive to potential employers, business partners and brands). It’s easy to forget just how many different valuable skills go into creating and maintaining your own website – on average they form at least six different career paths in the worlds of digital marketing, PR and communications!
02. Everyone has their own challenges
Over the years, and prior to Lyrical Host, we’ve met and talked with a big range of very smart, genuinely successful people, from angel investors to multimillionaire business owners to online familiar faces.
Every single one of them has their own personal challenges. They deal with depression, anxiety, imposter syndrome, OCD, fear of rejection, and a whole range of other things. They aren’t immune to bad stuff, and it just goes to show that you can be successful and achieve your goals despite life’s challenges.
Not every day will be a battle you win, but in the long term success can mean getting out of your own head or out of your own way long enough to believe in yourself and what you have to give. No one has a perfect life, and often there isn’t a perfect time for anything; just a “good enough” time.
03. Focusing on what matters is everything
Whether that’s your bigger picture/greater purpose, or even just your smallest day to day tasks, what you choose to do every day matters.
One question I try to ask myself a lot is, “Does doing this help me achieve my goals?”
This works for literally every decision…including chocolate-related ones! It helps me be more conscious of what I’m doing, act more mindfully, and reminds me of what I’m trying to achieve. A lot of life can pass you by on autopilot, but it’s the habits you repeat regularly that determine your outcome.
Another way to put it is, “Every decision you make defines how much you love yourself.” (If you struggle with this, think about what you’d say or suggest to a friend or loved one).
04. You’re not a machine
There’s always more you could be doing, and it’s okay to not do any of it. Rest is important too.
Figure out what’s actually reasonable for you personally to do in a day, and don’t attach any emotions to your to do list. Ignore what other people are doing, especially if it triggers negative emotions for you. What you can do in a day is completely different to what I can do in a day, and both of our days are absolutely fine.
Everyone is consistently inconsistent at times. Listen to what you need, and know that your work and your passion will still be waiting for you to come back when you’re ready.
05. You don’t have to be everyone’s cup of tea
There have been many times over the years where we’ve been criticized and even had threats from people who don’t like what we’re doing.
There are plenty of wonderful, supportive people – even competitors – in the web hosting industry and in the broader tech/internet space in general, who see what we’re doing and think it’s great. But there are also people who feel threatened by it, for many different reasons. Sometimes it’s because they don’t want some people in society to have a voice. Sometimes it’s because they want to take advantage of trusting people and sell them anything and everything they don’t need. Sometimes they’re just suggesting things that aren’t in that person’s (or website’s, or visitors’) long term interests, because they’re only concerned about their own. Sometimes it’s all about money. Sometimes it’s simply because they don’t want to see women or minorities in the space or having a voice.
What we’ve learned from this (and seeing customers and others who also get criticism, especially on social media), is that anything that involves you putting yourself out there is always going to attract some kind of negativity from someone at some point. If anything, it makes us more determined that what we do and say is needed. Because if no one was saying it, we’d be stuck back in an era where a lot of people, especially women, were prevented from having a voice or opinions or a business. There would be no one saying, “Hey, you don’t need to buy that thing. It doesn’t actually do anything.”
06. There isn’t always a “right” answer to a problem
Sometimes there’s no perfect option to choose. Sometimes there aren’t even any good options to choose. Sometimes there are no bad options, and that makes decision-making difficult too. We’re all working in an area that is almost limitless with possibility, and sometimes that can be overwhelming.
The most important thing is that you’re making the decision that feels right at the time. It’s better to act now and be able to change course later or learn something from the experience instead of standing still.
Once you accept that there’s not always a “right” answer, it frees you from your struggle and makes it easier to move forward.
07. Evolution creates different opportunities
It’s natural to be scared of change, especially in a world of AI, quantum computing and many other new technologies coming into play. Being at this point in an industrial revolution is hard, because so much is in flux, unknown, and not even close to being fully developed yet.
But there are always new opportunities. Because although it sometimes feels like everything is changing, the fundamental question always remains the same: How can I help people?
It doesn’t matter whether that help is how to deal with a family crisis, what mascara to buy, or how to fix your car like a professional mechanic. The way that you help people may change, but you and your advice don’t.
People want human connection, human experience, and people want the best. The best value, the best looking, the best experience. AI can’t taste that recipe or smell that ocean salt or laughingly tell you that family anecdote.
Robots have their place, but they can’t replace you. So having a clear message and being your authentic self, whether it’s through your personal brand or your business brand, will never stop being important. It’s about making it work for you.
08. Back yourself. Always.
If we had listened to the people who told us, “How will this ever work? You’re starting a hosting company two decades after everyone else, and it’s one of the most competitive industries out there,” we wouldn’t have a company. If you listen enough, care about what people want, and show up passionately, you’ll make whatever you’re doing work.
And if you can’t do that some days, our support team is here to back you. We’re always here to believe in you on the days you’re struggling to believe in yourself. As the classic line from 10 Things I Hate About You goes: “Don’t let anyone ever make you feel like you don’t deserve what you want.” And we’d add “don’t settle for less than you’re worth” to that.
If you found this post interesting, how about writing your own version? We’d love to see it!
No Comments