Four Years of Flying Solo: Reflections on the Journey So Far

Yesterday marked four years since I took the leap into self-employment and formed AWP Consultancy. In some ways, it feels like only yesterday, and in others, it feels like a lifetime ago. I genuinely don’t know where the time has gone, but this anniversary feels like a good opportunity to reflect on the journey so far.

 

Becoming self-employed wasn’t part of some long-term master plan. In fact, it was born from the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic. When my role at The Lakes Distillery was made redundant, I wasn’t surprised. I understood the economic reasoning behind it and, in truth, I felt a sense of relief. I had become increasingly disillusioned, underutilised, and stifled. It was time to reassess. 

 

I didn’t feel any urgency to rush back into the world of 4-star hotel management, I’d walked that path and worn that T-shirt many times over. Instead, I asked myself whether my 30 years of experience in hospitality might be of value elsewhere. Thankfully, it was. I landed a couple of consulting contracts relatively quickly, which kept the wolf from the door and gave me breathing room to think more strategically about my future. Alongside my consultancy work, I invested in my own development. I enrolled in The Business Coaching Academy Ltd's programme to develop my foundation-level coaching qualification. This extensive programme not only expanded my skillset but also earned me acceptance into the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches™ (WABC™) as a Registered Corporate Coach, something I’m immensely proud of. I also became a licensed practitioner in Leading Energy Profile, a tool which helps identify cognitive bias and equips individuals to lead and communicate more effectively. 

 

Today, coaching and profiling occupy more of my time than traditional consulting.

And while the journey has had its ups and downs, the positives far outweigh the

negatives.

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The Positives? No boss. No politics. No micromanagement. Complete autonomy. I’ve gained huge self-awareness and continued to learn and grow, both professionally and personally.

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The Challenges? Lone working has been an adjustment after years of managing large teams. I miss the daily camaraderie. And of course, there’s the ‘feast or famine’ nature of self-employment.

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The Highs? Being accepted into the WABC, becoming a LEP Practitioner and making a real impact on the people and businesses I work with. Helping to spark lasting, positive change is incredibly rewarding.

 

The Lows? Discovering just how poor communication can be in so many organisations. Realising that in consulting, you're sometimes seen as a ‘use it and lose it’ commodity. And learning that your past reputation alone won’t bring business through the door.

 

The Lessons? Don’t expect work to land in your lap. Don’t rely on your network to come knocking. Many leaders still see seeking help as weakness, rather than strength. Visibility, networking, and integrity are critical.

 

Regrets? None. If anything, I wish I’d made the leap sooner. I love what I do, and I can’t see myself ever retiring right now!

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Four years in, and I’m just getting started.

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- Antony