Iâve been self-employed or running businesses with staff for nearly thirty years. Interestingly, I never set out to work for myself. Coming from a family where both parents had corporate jobs, entrepreneurship wasnât in my DNAâit happened gradually due to circumstances I could never have predicted.
Success, as Iâve often said, is rarely overnight. Getting to where I am nowâmortgage-free, working remotely, and enjoying a stable incomeâhas involved multiple failures and a great deal of learning. Here are my top five takeaways:
1. Know When to Pivot
After leaving PR, my first business was an app for Londoners on a budget called Frugl. It featured events in the capital for ÂŁ10 or less (or free). Despite tens of thousands of downloads and multiple awards, we struggled to monetise it.
Following a small round of investment, we pivoted to become an aggregator of daily deals, generating income for the business. We continue to earn affiliate revenue from providers like Groupon and Wowcher, and we're now updating the platform.
Key Lesson:
Pivoting saved the business.
The Outcome:
Incremental, passive revenue.
Pivoting isnât failureâitâs adaptability and resilience.
2. Just Get Started
I launched Silver Sharers, a platform for older adults to share homes, with just two Google Forms and a Wix website. The idea was to create a "Spare Room" for older adults and test if this market had demand. With minimal upfront investment (ÂŁ500), we raised ÂŁ30k, secured full-page stories in the Evening Standard and The Guardian, and validated the concept.
Key Lesson:
Taking action matters more than perfection.
The Outcome:
Starting small opened doors to bigger opportunities.
Donât wait until youâre âreadyââstart now and refine as you go.
3. Find Your Niche
I launched the podcast and TikTok channel Sex Advice for Seniors to address an underserved niche. Initially, I hesitated to share my personal experiences on this taboo topic. However, the timing of our launch aligned with the Emma Thompson film Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, which explores sex and intimacy in later life. The result? Over 156k TikTok followers, nearly 3k Substack subscribers, brand deals, and mainstream media mentions.
Key Lesson:
A niche others overlook can become your strength.
The Outcome:
A loyal audience, brand deals, and monetisation opportunities.
Your niche is where your passion meets an underserved market.
4. Go All In on One Social Media Channel
Itâs tempting (and exhausting) to manage multiple social media channels, but itâs rarely productive. Iâve been there. Finding your ideal platform is trial and error, but once you do, it pays to focus entirely on it.
For me, Substack has been transformative: more paid subscribers, better engagement, and collaborations with like-minded individuals.
Key Lesson:
Master one channel instead of spreading yourself thin.
The Outcome:
A loyal, engaged audience and greater opportunities.
Focus on one platform and make it your own. Consistency beats scattering your efforts.
5. Use AI to Enhance, Not Replace
Like many people, I initially viewed AI as a threat. Now, itâs an integral part of my workflow. While I avoid letting AI do all the heavy liftingâsuch as generating complete copyâitâs invaluable for tidying up text, improving grammar, and enhancing the flow of my writing.
Key Lesson:
AI is a tool to save time and boost efficiency.
The Outcome:
Better results when combining AI with human creativity.
Use AI to enhance your work, but donât let it replace your unique voice.
These takeaways reflect years of trial, error, and growth. Whether youâre just starting out or looking for ways to adapt, I hope my path to success inspires you to take action, embrace change, and find your own way to working. Enjoy the ride!
Dates for your Diary
March 2025
15th March - Moving Forward Group
All GWDC events are bookable via Eventbrite and you can book for the months ahead, which means youâll receive reminders as and when they occur.
There are numerous workshops that GWDC members can access for free. You will find the calendar of those upcoming events here.
Until next time,
Suzanne & Mark
A monthly Power Hour to tackle tasks youâve been putting off.
The Moving Forward Group, where you can address any challenges youâre facing.
15-minute office hours with either Mark or me to discuss whatever you want.
Free workshops and exclusive discounts on tools like Hubspot, Dell products, and more.
The 15-minute office hours alone are worth ÂŁ25, making this a fantastic deal at just ÂŁ9.99/month or ÂŁ99.99/year. You can subscribe or upgrade by clicking the button below.Boost your productivity and achieve your goals with our expert tips and supportive community. Sign up now!