Reflections on 14 Years in Business – and Nearly a Decade as a Career Coach

What I’ve learned from evolving my own career, supporting hundreds of others to do the same, and staying human in a changing world of work.

Fourteen years ago this month I officially launched my business – originally offering communications consulting, training and coaching.

It was a natural evolution after nearly 20 years working in communications roles.

But it didn’t take long to realise that, at that point in my work and life, it was actually the coaching I loved most.

So with some retraining and a gradual shift in focus, I transitioned into full-time career coaching. Instead of a focus on helping organisations be better workplaces through improved internal communications, my focus became helping people have better work lives through being more deliberate about how and where they might work, in ways that allow them to thrive.

That was nearly a decade ago – and since then I’ve spent thousands of hours as a career coach helping clients change their work lives for the better.

My own career change meant I’ve lived through the kind of shifts I now help others navigate. And from all those hours of conversations, I know what it’s cost people who have stayed too long in a job that’s not a good fit, and the traps that lead people to settle for less than satisfying work.

What I’ve learned along the way

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a solopreneur is that change is part of the process. You don’t need all the answers to take the next step.

But you do need:

• self-awareness about what helps you thrive

• clarity around your values, and an understanding of how they need to inform your work choices

• a connection to your ‘why’ or sense of purpose that feels meaningful to you

• and a clear view of the strengths that genuinely energise you.

These apply to any kind of work, not just self-employment. They are what need to guide your decisions as your circumstances or priorities shift.  

What hasn’t changed

The world of work has obviously changed dramatically in the past 14 years.

Even before the pandemic, technological advances were reshaping how we work. The pandemic accelerated remote and hybrid models – and now AI is reshaping things again.

But those core fundamentals I outlined above still matter.

When you’re clear about who you are – your preferences, values, and energising strengths – you’re more resilient, more confident, and better equipped to recognise or create work that truly fits.

What also hasn’t changed is the human side of work.

When people come to me, usually mid-career, they’re often overwhelmed, burnt out, or at a crossroads.

They might not know exactly what’s causing the unease, but they know something needs to change.

After thousands of hours of coaching, you start to see the themes – the common traps, the habits and patterns that keep people spinning their wheels.

Helping someone see what’s been keeping them stuck – and then supporting them to build a path that’s more aligned and energising – that’s the most rewarding part of this work.

That kind of insight can’t be generated by an algorithm. AI has its uses, but it can’t replace deep reflection, trust, or the transformation that happens in conversation.

Final thoughts – if you are considering a career change

• Your past experience isn’t wasted – it informs the next chapter.

• Don’t wait until it’s “perfect” to begin.

• Get clear on what you really want, not what you think you should want.

• Small changes can lead to big shifts over time.

• Support matters – you don’t have to figure it out alone.

If you’re looking for a human guide – someone who’s lived through career change and supported hundreds of others to do the same – I’d love to help.

You can read client transformation stories and testimonials here or get in touch to explore what working together could look like.