Jun 215 min read

I quit a successful senior career to start a business but I knew nothing about running a business. However, 5 years on...

In this blog I share the highlights of my journey and some top tips for keeping going.

My business Talenta Ltd turned 5 in April this year - wahoo! 5 years is good going for any business start-up but also a huge milestone for someone who took a leap into the dark with only optimism and a vision to guide her way. Oh and of course, Covid reared its head within the first 12 months - non-one saw that coming!

Impulsiveness

I guess I've always been quite impulsive but not in a reckless kind of way, more a 'I'll give this a go, what's the worst that can happen?' kind of way. Maybe this is one of my core values that I haven't yet acknowledged but the theme runs throughout my career - I've quit jobs when the culture isn't right, when I've not been able to continually develop, when managers' actions aren't in the best interests of the business and/or their team, when leadership qualities are unethical and contravene company values. I appreciate most people would probably do the same but I also call out bad behaviour and make snappy decisions when I can see that the status quo will be maintained. I've never been afraid to walk away.

When I walked away from a successful career spanning 16 years, it was impulsive (and probably a bit reckless) but it felt like the right thing to do with all my being. I knew that I wanted to specialise, work with different clients and have a varied portfolio.

The power of Coaching

I enjoy continually pushing the boundaries on what I am able to do and keep surprising myself which is one of the reasons that I feel so passionately about coaching as that's what got me started - developing:

More self-awareness
Clarity, goals & action planning
Values alignment
Strengths awareness & skills development
Becoming more comfortable with the parts of me that make me feel uncomfortable
Developing resilience - getting back up & learning

Also, remaining curious, open to learning and stretching myself personally & professionally. I wouldn't be where I am and doing what I'm doing if it wasn't for the power of coaching.

Identity Crisis

When I first set my business up, I really struggled with my identity - going from being a Senior HR Leader to a business owner, not knowing who I wanted to work with and what my USP was, to not daring to charge my worth and hiding behind my phone at networking events. I'm still not very good at just going up to people, or even worse a group of people, and introducing myself.

One of my biggest challenges was putting myself out there in terms of social media and marketing. I hid on LinkedIn for a very long time, despite it being THE platform for my services.

What should I write about?
Who's going to read it?
Who's going to care about what I think?
My posts might get ignored
People might disagree with me & should I defend my position?
What if people think I'm a fraud? Who is she to think she can sell her services and run a business?
What if I fail?

Playing it safe

I took the easy route initially by focusing on fixed-term contracts and consultancy roles which provided financial stability and guaranteed work. I was lucky in that I've had 3 contracts for the duration of most of the 5 years, all of which were extended. They have all been great projects and in new industries:

I implemented a technical competency framework, including comms planning and manager and champion training for a client in the power generation industry.
I developed a bespoke technical competency framework in the Public Sector for a complex organisation, including third party supplier selection for platform host.
I developed and implemented a management & leadership excellence programme in the water treatment industry, includiing ILM supplier selection, management & leadership training, mentor programme and teambuilding (without a L&D team! Latterly a L&D Co-ordinator was brought onboard.)

However, the downside is that these projects were 'keeping me safe.' Also, they were taking my focus away from developing my coaching practice.

So, what changed?

Last year, two things happened. Firstly, I took stock of where I was and what I had wanted to achieve when I set my business up and secondly, an ex-colleague and friend became available to explore an opportunity to work togeher.

In the first scenario, whilst I had enjoyed the projects and met some great people. it wasn't enough. I wasn't following my own advice - lead with intentionality. The universe wasn't aware of what I wanted. I needed to reframe my thoughts to drive my actions and intentionally drive the coaching side of my business.

In the second scenario, here was an opportunity to join forces with a highly experienced and well respected professional in the world of (Learning & Development) L&D who also happnes to be huge fun to work with.

What's the story now?

I'm in a very different space. I'm busy, I'm happy and full of curiousity for what each day, week or month will bring. Here's how the last year has changed as a result of being more intentional and putting myself out there:

I started another business with my ex-colleague and friend, Ashley Jones, called Leading Edge Partnership Ltd specialising in management & leadership development, consultancy and executive coaching.
I'm collaborating with my dear friend and fellow coach, Lisa Allden, on two wonderful programmes for professional women - Women in Leadership and Reset Retreat. Both programmes were launched during 2023 & 2024 with great engagement and feedback. The programmes have a coaching theme throughout and we incorporate useful tools, teciques and reflective practice.
I have significantly enhanced my facilitation skills in training and teambuilding (I avoided it previously due to sheer terror!)
I provide coaching services to the NHS England's Professional Support & Wellbeing Service for GPS & Consultants in training. Topics include - stress management, managing anxiety, b uilding confidence , building motivation, s trengthening communication and team working skills, s trengthening consultation skills, organisation and time management skills, t echniques to help pass practical exams, n avigating cultural barriers, s upport transitioning back into the workplace and into training after a break (e.g., maternity leave) and i mposter syndrome.
I provide leadership coaching services in the creative industry for another client - typically senior women.
I have my own private coaching clients - mainly referrals.
I have recently signed up as a job coach for EY's Foundation - Your Future Programme which supports students who want to go into work after school, rathet than further education.