Deb Pasley- Financial Services Director to Social Enterprise Entrepreneur
One day at work I thought…I can’t do this for another 20 years.
I’d been telling myself for over 11 years that something needed to change. Although I never took the time to understand why I was getting this unsettled feeling. Working with a life/career coach or a therapist earlier may have helped me.
If at first you do succeed don’t be surprised!
Deb Pasley - at one of her board meetings on the beach
Overview of earlier career.
I started work at 17 as a bank clerk in the 80s when there were over 3 million unemployed.
I was so worried about not getting a job as I was not an academic kid so A-levels and Uni were not on my horizon. Then as a result of a work placement arranged by school I was offered a job with a big high street bank. I didn't think twice about accepting the offer.
My career evolved within financial services, through promotions and company changes. Progressing to be a financial advisor, then a segway to telecoms where I learned about leading large scale teams (1600), telemarketing and middle management. Flattered by the attention of a head hunter, I moved back to financial services and experienced my first ‘head of’ roles, multi-site leadership and operational design. After a change in home circumstances there was a need for greater flexibility and more home time. I was thrilled to get a role with an amazing financial services company as their Partner Relationship Manager working from home...perfect.
Over the following 12 years, I was promoted to Director, created and developed global teams and had the privilege of being the general manager for the flagship concierge service.
The trigger for change?
Work is a big part of me and my identity (typical Generation X?) and I loved my job. I’d achieved financial security, with a home and family I love.
But on a regular cycle over the last 11 years I’d felt like there was something else I should be doing. But I didn't know what. Every mind map I drew and every development plan I wrote, led me back to the job or types of roles I already had. I fancied working for myself but just didn't know what. I was told by one mentor that I didn’t have entrepreneurial spirit…”too risk averse” apparently.
Whether it was the peri-menopause symptoms or the universe in general, one day at work I thought…I can’t do this for another 20 years. I know I will most likely have to work for as long as I can so I wanted to do / build something I could work within indefinitely. I also needed a break. 32 years straight, I felt I’d earned some time off as my 50th birthday gift.
First steps
Leaving work, the job I loved and my team was hard - harder than I ever thought it would be. I underestimated how much enjoyment the social aspects of work gave me. How much it defined me. But I also knew that if I didn't jump off into the unknown, I’d never give myself space to explore and find something new.
So I started therapy and wish I’d done that much earlier. I wanted to have time to just relax, enjoy the summer and to focus on re-building my local social life. Then I planned to do some craft courses. But I got drawn into an opportunity to open a craft gallery and workshop on the seafront. It gave me a focus but also a burden. I now ‘needed’ to make this a success now everyone was watching.
At the same time as setting up the Arch (Smile Out Loud Crafts), I was meeting people for coffee and lunch where possible. Rosi and I eventually met up for a coffee, which went straight to a beer. With no intention to talk business, we just shared what we had been up to and ideas we had for what's next. We had both had ideas for menopause businesses (with different themes) and it felt so natural to say “we should do something together”. We then went on a few dog walks until we sat round the kitchen table and drew up a business plan for The Midlife hub (working title - Fog Sweat & Tears).
That was December. We did research in Feb, started the build in March and launched the pilot in May in Brighton. We’re now expanding into London and the wider South East with a view to UK wide in 2021.
What Deb learned
When it's right you’ll know - trust your gut
The energy, belief and drive we both instantly felt for the idea was undeniable. The day we wrote the business case was the most normal and energising day I’d had in months. We just felt compelled and propelled forward as opposed to my other business, where I questioned myself and the idea all the time.
Listen to yourself & get support
I’d been telling myself for over 11 years that something needed to change. Although I never took the time to understand why I was getting this unsettled feeling. Working with a life/career coach or a therapist earlier may have helped me. But sometimes it's just timing. Having Rosi as my business partner is what has really given me the strength and courage to dive in. The Midlife Hub would never have been a concept I would have found on my own.
Good enough is enough
We have progressed at lightning speed even during a pandemic. Why? Because Rosi and I have complementary skillsets. But also because we have a mantra of good enough is enough. Fighting our urge to be ‘perfect’ or the ‘best we can be’, we have freed ourselves to deliver and move forward. We know we can always go back, tweak, update later. Achieving what we have achieved in 3 months, would take 4 times as long, minimum, in the corporate world.
Talk to people and share your idea
We set up a series of development workshops in February with a selection of local businesses. We had a goal that if >50% of people supported the idea then we would do the pilot. I know it sounds cheesy but it was 100% unanimous. The support was overwhelming and so uplifting. We then started to join local business network groups and share our idea - with the same response. There is no better feeling that when someone turns round and says to me, “this is a great idea, so needed and just the right time” or “I’d love to be a member, send me the application”.
Keep expecting the challenges
All the way through we have kept anticipating challenges. Expecting to hit brick walls or stall. As part of the business case we created a pretty standard risk log but keep reminding ourselves that we will face difficulties and that’s ok. When we have difficult days or feel a bit low, we talk it through, review our goal plan and remind ourselves of all the things we have done! Usually we are way ahead and just need to regain perspective.
Your first idea may not be the only one or the right one
My previous business (The Arch) wasn’t a bad idea, It was just the wrong time for me and too far out my comfort zone. I still have the Arch and have re-framed it as a hobby rather than a business. I still have to work hard to stop myself feeling pressure to do more with it.
If at first you do succeed don’t be surprised!
After our May launch we went for a socially distanced walk, with prosecco to do a ‘post implementation review’. We realised that most of the things we had been hard on ourselves over either weren't needed or we had planned for too early. It can feel a bit too easy some days, but then we remind ourselves that's because we are talented women who work hard...it's not a fluke! Keep believing in yourself, not everything has to be hard but if it is it’s because it's worth doing.
How it feels on the days when Deb knows she has made the right decision?
Awesome! When I think about the flexibility and work experience I have now compared to before, I have to pinch myself. Sitting on the beach having a directors meeting (business on the beach) really!? How cool is that?
Excited - that we can help people and make a difference. There is ALOT to do and we are only at the beginning. It scares me and I feel the responsibility of delivering on our promise. But that is also why I know we will make it work. That and with the help of our amazing network and business partners.
Regrets?
Not when I keep the long term picture in mind. Some days I think, WTF did I do? Leaving a great salary and a great team for this uncertainty. But I remember how I was feeling, all the times I had wanted to do something different. I remember this is my opportunity to explore and try new things and then the excitement and belief rushes back in.
The Midlife Hub
A mindmap
