Four goodness sake

My business is four years old.

I started AJB HR Consultancy Services Ltd in March 2019.

I often thought about running my own business and, that year, my then-employer told me that they were making me redundant.

At that moment, I knew I had to do this for myself – to use my knowledge and experience to work as an independent HR consultant.

IT’S NOW OR NEVER

After the initial shock, I saw redundancy as an opportunity.  The more I thought about it, the more I realised that I didn’t want to look back at that moment and think to myself ‘what if…?’

So, in March 2019, I started my own business.  I chose the company name (imaginatively using my initials), bought the domain name, and had some business cards printed.

LIFE IS A ROLLERCOASTER

It is no exaggeration to say that it’s been a rollercoaster.  It’s a cliché, yes, but that’s because all business owners go through the ups and downs, the highs and lows, and the peaks and troughs of running a business.  

I never thought for one moment that I would get here.  And part of me still thinks that my business shouldn’t have got this far.

Running a business is not easy at all, and there are so many things to consider – the right paperwork, the legal implications, the accounts, the finances, the marketing, and all the admin – and this is all before we start thinking about getting clients, making sure they are getting what they need, and making money.

No two days are the same, and some days are harder than others.

FOUR IS THE NEW THREE

Being independent and working on my own is one thing - having a team is quite another.

Four is a poignant number in this regard too.  I now have four in my team, with my newest team member starting in April – more on this next month.

Over the last four years, I have built up a base of fabulous clients who have similar values to me (very people centric) who all need an outsourced HR director who is commercially aware.

I have got to the stage now where I can choose who we work with – and the values must match.  I am very grateful to be in a position where I can say no to clients that may not fit all the criteria that I hold dear.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

‍

I don’t know what the next four years (and beyond) have in store for me and my business, but I have plans for expansion.  My team looks after the day-to-day HR so I can focus on bringing new clients on board as well as looking at additional, international locations.

I have learnt many things over the past four years, and I’m still learning (which will never stop).

My best piece of advice for anyone starting a business is to outsource parts of your business that you’re not an expert in, whether it be admin or marketing or similar.  Your clients will value you and your expertise, so don’t let the other things get in the way of their perceptions of you and the requirements for their business.

INDEPENDENT HR CONSULTANCY

Speaking of outsourcing, all employers should have a HR function, whether in-house or independent.

If you want to talk about your company’s HR function, and how I can provide an experienced, cost-effective, fully-outsourced service, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Here’s to the next four years, and beyond.

‍