Working Together

Practices for Healthy, Intentional, and Mutually Beneficial Work

I am not working for the money, I am working for a living. By that I mean: what I earn goes towards basic needs, but also those experiences and dreams that make a life well-lived. On a grand scale, the latter may look like a big trip somewhere, but on a daily basis, it’s about organizing my work schedule so I have time for exercise, rest, friends and family, and passions.

It’s also about organizing my work policies to ensure that our relationship is one of professionalism and mutual respect (don’t mistake that for me not wanting to talk about your dog, I definitely want to talk about your dog).

To help me accomplish all of this, here’s how I work (known in some circles as “establishing healthy boundaries”):

• My “office hours” are 9:30-5:30, Monday-Friday. Each day includes interruptions for breaks (like walking my dog and eating lunch). I don’t work weekends or holidays without an agreed-upon rush fee. I don’t answer emails after-hours unless there’s an “advertising emergency” (I’m not sure those exist either, but sometimes people seem to think they do).

• I typically bill at an hourly rate, but will provide an estimate of effort prior to starting and will initiate a conversation if it appears like I may need to go over that number of hours (to avoid any surprises for my clients).

• Any time spent working on your projects (including emailing and traveling for meetings) is time I can’t work for other clients, which means it’s billable time.

• I typically bill NET30 and have a late payment fee.

• I never work without a contract (and am happy to provide my own for your review).

• I’m legit. My LLC is Happy Cabbage, LLC. I come with an EIN number and a W-9 ready to go.

I’d like to think (and hope) that sticking to these boundaries not only benefits me but gives my clients permission to lean into their own boundaries when it comes to their work and their lives.

Actions for Equitability

I believe we all have a responsibility in our daily lives to actively work towards an equitable society and equitable world. As a person who benefits from a host of societal privileges, I need to take consistent and sustainable steps to be part of solutions. And as a person who works in advertising and marketing, I have a responsibility to ensure that the work I help create—reflects the society I want to see.

Actions I take for inclusivity in my work:

• Recommending stock photography (and imagery in general) that encompasses different races, gender-expressions, religions, ages, relationships, body shapes and sizes, and abilities

• Avoiding imagery that reinforces stereotypes (and intentionally choosing imagery that suggests the opposite of those stereotypes when feasible)

• Using “they/them” as the default pronoun instead of “he/him”

• Using references, such as this document, for word choice guidance and as a bias check

• Assuming I will always carry some level of ignorance, and that I will make mistakes, but staying open to constant growth

I consider this list a start, but I hope that it will continue to grow as I continue to grow. And if you have further suggestions, give me a shout at hiheyhello@kristenhumbert.com (doesn’t matter a bit if we work together).

Hopefully what’s above makes you more excited to work together. If you’re interested in learning more, offering feedback, or getting started: send me a message!