100 Days Since I Took the Leap: From Corporate to Consultancy

Last Sunday marked 100 days since I left the company I was part of for nearly a decade.

It still feels surreal to say that out loud.

After ten years working across finance, account management, and business development, I stepped away from structure, security, predictability - and what some people would call a work family. It was a career I was proud of: a journey of growth, experience, and a whole lot of trust.

I’ve gone from being part of a corporate machine to becoming my own team, my own boss, and my own backup plan.

On Paper, I Knew the Theory

I hold a degree in Business Entrepreneurship and an MSc in Accounting and Finance. I’ve spent years analysing performance, creating strategy, supporting clients, and working alongside internal teams across departments. 

On paper, I knew the theory - But no degree prepares you for the reality of setting up your own business.

No one teaches you how long things actually take. Or the emotional rollercoaster of quoting your first client. Or the sheer volume of time you’ll spend not doing your “core” work, but everything else - setting up systems, legal paperwork, invoicing, marketing, building relationships, second-guessing yourself.

I had the theory down. But theory doesn’t replace experience.

The First 100 Days: What It’s Really Been Like

The first few weeks felt like a strange mix of liberation and fear. On day one, there’s no welcome email. No onboarding checklist. Just a laptop, a long to-do list, and your own belief (or doubt) in what you’ve set out to do.

My first priority was clarity: Who do I serve? What value do I bring? What problems do I solve?

I knew I wanted to work with independent schools - they have complexity, ambition, and a clear need for strategic consultancy. But articulating what I do in a way that resonates with them was harder than I expected.

Emotionally, I cycled between excitement and imposter syndrome. Some days I felt invincible; others I wondered if I’d made a huge mistake.

The early weeks were filled with building blocks - setting up systems, reaching out to networks, developing proposals, and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. Selling myself is very different to selling software backed by a highly reputable brand.

But day by day, things moved. I found clarity in my offering.

Working With Independent Schools

This part has been the highlight.

I’ve worked with some of the most impressive independent schools in the country - institutions that genuinely want to innovate while staying true to their values.

My work has varied: from strategic planning, operational reviews, financial modelling and change management. The common thread? Every engagement has been different - and every proposal I have produced has been about unlocking potential, whether in leadership, efficiency, or clarity of purpose.

 Schools aren’t just businesses. They are communities. And consulting in this space demands more than just expertise - it demands empathy, discretion, and trust.

That’s been a privilege to earn.

Small Wins That Mean Everything

In a world where the finish line always moves, it’s the small wins that keep you going:

Getting a message from a client saying, “The session was great and gave the team a lot more confidence.”

Receiving a referral from someone I didn’t even know was paying attention - one of the most validating moments in my first 100 days.

Realising I’ve built something from scratch - and it’s working.

These wins might look small on the outside, but inside? They mean everything.

What’s Made the Biggest Difference

Without question: People. 

The community, the support, the generosity of those who offered advice, encouragement, or simply checked in - it’s meant the world. 

In a season where everything is new, a simple “How’s it going?” carries weight.

You know who you are - and I’m truly grateful.

Finally, and most importantly, my Family.

They’ve been my personal cheerleaders - supporting me through the highs, the doubts, the long days, and the many cups of coffee. Their belief in me, even on the days I questioned it myself, has made all the difference.

Lessons I Didn’t Learn in the Classroom

Here are a few truths I’ve come to know firsthand: 

It’s okay to not have it all figured out - Clarity often comes from action, not planning.

Your mindset is your greatest asset - What you tell yourself matters more than you think.

You don’t have to do it alone - Find your people.

Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you’re not ready - It means you care.

Saying no is just as important as saying yes - Especially when building something sustainable.

100 Days Later: What I Know Now

If I could go back and tell myself one thing on Day 1, it would be this:

“You’re more capable than you think. But you’ll need to prove it to yourself, not just others.” 

I’m proud of what I’ve built so far. I’ve grown, stretched, and learned more in 100 days than I could have imagined. I’ve felt fear and joy in equal measure. But most of all, I’ve felt free - free to choose, to create, to make an impact in my own way.

What’s Next 

I’m still learning. Still building. Still figuring it out.

But I’m also proud - not just of the work, but of the choice to back myself.

I’ll keep growing the consultancy, deepening my work with independent schools, and evolving the business with everything I’ve learned so far.