Ten years of entrepreneurship
It all started with a breakdown…
Ten years ago I quit my job and set up as a freelance business coach (that’s how I started out in coaching). It was a terrifying decision and one I felt forced into, and one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
I remember the moment that made me choose. I was standing, weeping, on the side of the M6, with two small children on a Friday night in the rain, after our old car had broken down in the fast lane en route to the first weekend away we’d had in ages. We couldn’t afford a new car, the boiler had just broken down too (it was February in the Lake District), I was unhappy in my job, and felt stuck.
There weren’t any other employment options for me that would fit with a young family and with my skillset. I’d been thinking of going it alone for a while, and in that moment, I thought to myself ‘it can’t be any worse!’
That’s maybe not the best reason to set up a business, but remember I come from a family of entrepreneurs – both my father and father-in-law were entrepreneurs, and I know the impact it has on a family.
So I did it. In April 2014 I started out on my own. I had the intention to be here for the family, rather than an entrepreneur that worked every hour – I’d prove that it was possible to be successful AND still have a family life.
Five years later I made the decision to move from being a solo-preneur to building the business – just before Covid hit (great timing Luce!).
Today, ten years on, whilst my car is still getting on, I wrote a best-selling book and Harrison Network is thriving, with a core team of six, plus a wider team of amazing associates. I still get home for 6pm most days and take most weekends off. Although that intention is regularly tested!
The business moved on too. We’re Organisational Coaches these days; we create space for change for people, teams and organisations. This helps deliver enhanced performance, employee engagement and business improvements.
Back in 2014, did I have any idea where I would be today?
Not a scooby. I had hopes and dreams, but they were mostly being able to afford the heating.
Now I have a five year plan, but who knows what will happen between now and then. Bring on the next ten years!!
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