Success Stories: To Solopreneur

“The workload was brutal.”

From Classrooms to Children's Stories

Catherine Carroll was giving hours of her free time over to her job. Then, her priorities changed. Here's how she forged a new, more creative work identity, and built a business that fits around her schedule.

“I felt that I was increasingly compromising on both home life and work.”

From Advertising to Childcare

Under growing pressure to juggle the different areas of her world, Caroline El-Semman knew that something had to change. Then, she spotted a business opportunity that offered everything she was looking for. Here's how she managed her finances, and stepped into a brand new industry, to make her idea a reality.

“Everything about my job screamed 'This isn't me!'”

From Office to Outdoors

Following a serious car accident, outdoors-lover Catherine Hanna found herself desk-bound, stressed and unhappy at work. Then, an insightful colleague opened her eyes to a simple truth that changed everything. Here, she shares how she rediscovered her passion and found work that feels like being welcomed home.

“The corporate environment was stifling.”

From Banking to Helping Entrepreneurs

Ever feel that you're simply not cut out for the work you're in? Natalie Robinson had always wanted to run her own business, but didn't know where to start. Then, a week-long company retreat woke her up and propelled her into action. Here's her story.

“Doing the same thing every day really got to me – it wasn't what I wanted to do with my life.”

From Manager to Blacksmith

Ever long to ditch your computer and use your hands more? Leszek Sikon did. And though he's had a steep learning curve in terms of his confidence, he's used those natural instincts to move into work that finally feels good. Here's how he did it.

“I realised that the already-pressured environment would become even worse.”

From Higher Education to Own Business

With department budgets squeezed and a work–life balance that was difficult to manage, Dawn Morse decided to change direction. But rather than making a 180-degree shift, she used her existing skills to launch her own business. Here's how she did it.

“I was spending a lot of time in pointless meetings and tied up in bureaucracy.”

From Employee to Entrepreneur

Stifled and far removed from the positive impact she wanted to make, Laura Rimmer decided to launch out on her own. Here, she shares how a common-sense approach and a healthy dose of realism kept her finances on track and made her leap possible.

“I had a burning desire that got stronger. I wanted to try to make a go of things myself.”

From Office Life to Own Business

Siobhan Partridge was tired of working for someone else. She needed to know if she could build something of her own, so she set out to make it happen. Here's how she's created a work arrangement that, despite the ups and downs, she wouldn't change for anything.

“It was miserable. I knew there had to be a better way.”

From Software Trainer to Digital Nomad

Esther Inman was sure that if she put her mind to it, she could find more-flexible, location-independent work. So, she took a leap of faith to make it happen. Here's how she changed not just the content, but also the context of her career, to create the freedom she was looking for.

“My career was increasingly preventing me from being a present father and husband.”

From the Military to Wealth Management

Nick O'Sullivan was looking for greater freedom and work–life balance. He discovered it in a completely different field than he thought he would. But making the transition was no easy task. Here's how he overcame difficult logistics, a long notice period and a salary cut to create work that gives him everything he was hoping to find.

Careershifters