Turning Points

Wouldn’t it be fantastic if life were a nice, straightforward walk in the park?

Actually, scratch that, that sounds ridiculously boring.

But it would be nice to know that you the path you’re supposed to walk is at least signposted and well lit.

I think I’d be hard pressed to find anyone who thinks that that has been their journey so far, we’ve all had ups and downs, u turns and challenge points.

October marks TEN YEARS 🥂of me running my own business and that seems like a fitting time to reflect on the unexpected plot twists that I’ve run into over the last decade.

Number 1 – The day my life blew up.

The first was the catalyst for me leaving my corporate role. I loved my career, from project and logistics management to creative and brand guardianship as part of marketing I worked hard and enjoyed what I did. But latterly bullying, discrimination and a non-existent work life balance caused me to have a very public breakdown.

Losing everything that you have worked for and everything that – you felt – made up your identity is incredibly hard, but it forced me to find a new path. After two chance encounters/conversations with small business owners I realised that there was an opportunity for me to use my skills and help reduce stress and burnout for other women in business who wanted to have it all.

That was the start of Goldspun Support – or Spinning Plates as it started out.

Number 2 – I’m better than I thought I was.

Recovering from trauma and massive life changes takes time and it was a while before I moved out of survival mode and really started focusing on my future. It was at this point that I decided to formalise my knowledge in digital marketing and get a qualification in Social Media Management – the course was as much about giving me confidence as it was about learning something new and – to my delight – I got 97% in the final assessment.

This was the first time I was forced to recognise how good I actually was. Marketing was in my blood, I had thrived in corporate and now here I was, thriving again on the small business landscape. That was the time I really started shouting about my SMM services, put my prices up to reflect my expertise and my income soared as a result.

Number 3 – Not winning was so much better.

The next big crossroads for me was when I was a finalist in a VA awards category. I was so pleased to get through and to be a finalist, I attended the awards evening and sat at a table with some wonderful women – we talked about our lives, our passions and how we supported our clients. We also talked about our ambitions.

I’m always fascinated by the range of different things that people want to do, around that table were people who shared my industry, but their ambitions were so very different. Mostly they wanted to keep doing what they were doing, maybe a step up or a step sidewards but they were happy that they were doing the thing they wanted to do… I felt like the ugly duckling, I knew I wanted to do more, my list of experience and qualifications was longer, my ambitions for my visibility were bigger.

When I didn’t win (spoilers) I was actually grateful. I didn’t want to be known as the VA of the Year – I wanted more, and I didn’t know what that looked like yet, but I knew it was time for change.

Recognising that I wasn’t fulfilling my potential or doing what I really wanted to do was a huge wakeup call for me and it triggered a huge realignment of my business, a new strategy, a refocussed ICA and a new brand.

Number 4 – It’s not what you know, it’s who.

The other major turning point for me was less linear. All the moments above happened in order, like a story unfolding but the people I have come across have truly changed and influenced me, built my confidence and helped direct me. They have shaped my choices or been my cheerleaders and I couldn’t be more grateful for them.

In no particular order, I have Kellie Williams to thank for helping me recognise that I was never really a virtual assistant, that I was already offering a comprehensive online business management service and that I need to own that.

I have Dawni Beth Baxter to thank for allowing me to be myself, showing me that finding your tribe and your passions will transform your life to the point where anything is possible. She’s the exception to the rule about meeting your heroes… she really is that amazing in real life.

I have Simon Pryce to thank for mentoring me at a critical point of my journey, for showing me how little other people people’s opinions matter which ha skyrocketed my confidence and for making sure that I had a sympathetic ear for every crazy idea I had.

I have Rhiannon at Garnet PR to thank for making me realise that there’s no reason it can’t be me and for holding my hand as I face into the next stage of incredibly scary visibility.

Number 5- It’s just the beginning.

2024 has been, without doubt, the most revolutionary year of my business so far. The team has grown, my income has grown, the business has grown and best of all, I have grown.

The things I have achieved this year: creating my first course, rebranding my business, investing in masterminds and dedicated expert training, recording a podcast and writing a book are all things I could not have imagined as I said goodbye to 2023.

There is so much coming in Q4 and then in 2025. My visions for next year are going to be big!

My point is that U-turns and plot twists can be good things – yes, they might engender panic at first but if you can weather the storm with grace and confidence you will come out stronger and better than ever!