It has been nine years this week since I started my business. NINE YEARS! I enjoy taking time to reflect at this point each year, and would like to share with you nine things I’ve loved:
1. How the business has evolved. Ellie Rich-Poole Ltd started as a mechanism to do some part time consulting work for a CPO in my network, when I stepped away from 11 years in Executive Search. It was a time when I was learning to balance work and parenting, dealing with (I now know) post-natal anxiety and – I suspect – burnout. It has become a full time Career Development Business full of varied, energising work of speaking, workshops, executive coaching and career coaching. I have grown a super support team of fellow business owners (I do not want to be a line manager) and work globally.
2. The magic moments. Fellow coaches will recognise both the ‘lightbulb’ moments (when it’s like a switch has been flipped and something becomes clear) and the ‘door handle’ moments (when the session is pretty much over and the coachee feels relaxed and says something, often a throwaway comment, that can be THE killer thing that gets right to the heart of the matter.) I love all of these and helping my coachees and participants get clear about what they mean to them.
3. My personal growth. This was high for me in the first stage of my career when I was in-house in HR and new to the world of work, alongside completing two post graduate diplomas and my CIPD. It fell off a cliff for the next stage when I worked in a fee earning consulting and the priority was always the billing. It has been a great change to focus more on learning since 2016. Since then, I have qualified in Social Media Management, Business and Personal Coaching (PCC level so far), Strengths Profile, Insights Discovery and as a Mental Health First Aider. But it’s not just about formal qualifications, it’s about the moments I have stepped bravely out of my comfort zone. This year I am undertaking a Mastermind in the US alongside some excellent business founders.
4. The freedom it has given me. Day to day I love that I can pursue the work and relationships that I want to, with people and organisations where there is a values alignment. I can decline things that don’t feel right and recommend instead one of my fabulous network of development people. During this time, I have also been able to live in Chile and Singapore, which wouldn’t have been so easy in my former life. I can also manage my own work patterns and am repeatedly grateful on Monday mornings not to be navigating the traffic on the M4.
5. Joining a Board Committee. The freedom plays out in other ways too. I can choose how much of my time I want to give to pro bono work. Since 2023 I have been working with girls’ charity GFS, on their Board Committee for fundraising and growth. I launched their ambassador team. I have been invited to join another Advisory Board too which I am super excited about. More to come on that soon.
6. The long-term relationships. Although the nature of the work I do now is different (coaching and development instead of recruitment), the people I work with in many cases are the same. I work most with HR Directors and other business leaders like MDs. I love that some of my clients today are people I ran searches for or placed in roles as far back as 2005 when I started in recruitment. We have progressed our careers together. Since being young I have loved to keep in touch, and this is a big part of how I work.
7. New friends. I have also worked with some brilliant new people through clients, events and partnering with organisations like WHEN as co-creator of the Career Accelerator programme. There is something nourishing about finding people with shared passions and values, and when we come together to make a difference. Special shout out to those that are my cheerleaders and supporters. You know who you are.
8. Creating The Wonderful Women Movement. One of my greatest achievements in the last nine years has been since 2024 when a pilot event for GFS became a movement. It is a development event with a difference, connecting professional women at all career stages and inspiring them with brilliant keynote speakers, whilst raising awareness of the work of GFS.
9. Evolving my vision for the future. I can’t remember exactly when I first created a Vision Board. But somehow along the way it has been such a helpful activity that I do it regularly and now help others do the same. It makes such a difference to get clear on what is most important, in both my life and my career. By talking about my aspirations, I have progressed them and opened up opportunities. My earlier blog shares how you can create yours.
For some earlier birthday musings read:
Eight years on, the 8 things that have stayed with me
Seven things you need to know about career success
My six highlights of six years (and how they could help you)