It's been a while...

Updates in Greyskull Analytics world

Oh hey there! It’s been a while…

I haven’t written an article on Substack for over 4 months now. I sat down to write this blog¹ with the intention to continue talking about dimensional modelling, but it felt like some kind of explanation for the drought of content was due, and before I knew it, the explaining had taken over. Dimensional modelling will have to wait for another day.

Last time I did a life update type blog it was to explain my absence due to a period of ill-health (trigger warning, the linked blog is primarily a mental health piece).

I’m pleased to report this time around it’s for happier reasons.

It’s ALIVE!!!

So, in case you weren’t already aware (apparently I harp on about it a fair bit on LinkedIn) I am now self-employed!

While Greyskull Analytics was previously an online brand or persona for me to share content around data and analytics, it’s now a fully fledged and registered business.

The intention is to operate as an independent data consultant providing professional services including advice and implementation work on data platforms as well as training.

I have a revamped website for me to advertise my offering, which you can check out at greyskullanalytics.com - I made it myself, and I’m pretty chuffed with it!

I’ve been busy…

So, who’d have guessed it… setting up a business and then operating it as a one man band is quite involved! There hasn’t really been time for blogging - actually, that’s not strictly speaking true.

I have been writing, just not on this platform. I recently got commissioned to write a 5-part blog series for Tabular Editor, all about how to use their product with Databricks which you can check out for your Johnny writing fix if you’ve missed it.

Commissioned content work has been another piece to my self-employment puzzle - hopefully you’ll continue to see other collaborations with data brands going forward.

In fact I’ve also been keeping busy with technical review work for a publisher.

Why now?

Honestly, if you’d asked me 2 years ago I’d have scoffed at the idea of working for myself. It sounded like far too much hard work, and I’m pretty lazy *cough* efficient *cough*.

But the first catalyst was writing a book. As someone who loves writing anyway, doing a book was always on the bucket list, and it was a pinch me moment to be asked to co-write ‘Implementing Analytics Solutions using Microsoft Fabric’ - (Disclaimer: don’t buy it. Given the rapidly evolving world of Fabric, it’s already out of date). Doing the book meant I had to set up all of the relevant admin like tax self assessment for being paid the advance and royalties for the book. This admin was far easier than I anticipated, and so some of the fear of self-employment was lifted.

I’ve also spent my last few years working from an independent co-working spot in my hometown where I’ve been surrounded by a range of freelancers and solopreneurs, where I’ve built a fantastic network of folks willing to offer tips and advice for setting up alone.

Reading Confident Contractor by Neil Millard provided even more comfort around going solo, a great guide for UK IT professionals who are looking to do their own thing.

Further inspiration came via this article by Joe Reis.

Combine all of this with me becoming increasingly disillusioned with my job (turns out, when you hit the “principal” level of consulting, it comes with the danger of becoming more of a people and project manager than a practitioner) and now just felt like the right time to launch Greyskull Analytics as a solo consultancy.

What next?

So I’m the founder and sole-director of a business now. Sounds pretty formal. Does that mean I’m now going to turn into some corporate shill, only ever creating content for the benefits of my business? (yes, “Corporate Skeletor” may well have featured in the prompt for the generated image included)

I hope not. Doing data my way and having my own voice are so important to me. I fully intend to continue contributing to the community and sharing ideas.

In fact, with the work I’m currently doing with clients, I feel more inspired than ever to write and record on subjects that are pertinent to the real world problems that businesses need to solve.

The birth of Greyskull the business isn’t going to be the death of Greyskull the content engine. So keeping looking out for content from me. And I promise that next thought piece on dimensional modelling is coming soon…

1. I still refuse to call it a “newsletter” - although I technically just creep into millennial territory, that feels like the Gen X influence in me peaking through. See also calling it Twitter instead of X.