Today, My TrueNORTH celebrates EIGHT years in business.
As we mark our 8th business birthday at True North, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and excitement. This milestone is not just a number; it represents eight years of learning, growing, and making a positive impact in the lives of our clients and community.
Looking back, I’ll never cease to be amazed at how far we’ve come since that day in 2016 when True North was born.
Each year has brought its unique challenges and triumphs, shaping into the company we are today.
This past year has been particularly transformative, and it is clear that the post-COVID era has been pivotal for most businesses. Therefore, this milestone isn’t just a number; it’s a testament to our resilience and adaptability in unprecedented challenges.
Navigating the Storm
The pandemic unleashed a torrent of obstacles for small and medium-sized enterprises. Cash flow instability became a critical issue, with many SMEs struggling to maintain consistent revenue streams. We chose NOT to furlough but to work through (although remotely) conducting more than 300 Hrs of Pro-Bono work, helping to support others struggling to understand exactly HOW to pivot both during lockdown and in the post-lockdown era.
However, these trials also presented unexpected opportunities. I spent a lot of time researching the global impact lockdown was having on business and my own entrepreneurial journey, and I had a massive breakthrough.
The Pivot Point
As we weathered these challenges, a profound realization dawned: I had been building a business others expected of me, rather than the one I truly aspired to create. I’d been drawn into the ‘vanity matrix’ seeing REVENUE as the only measure of progress, and making some profound decisions based on this that I could ‘fit in’ with what others expected of both me and our business! This epiphany became our turning point.
Re-embracing My TrueNORTH
Instead of casting a wide net and risking becoming “vanilla,” I chose to really re-focus on our core strengths and passions. This decision to narrow my focus has paradoxically expanded our impact:
- By working with fewer clients, we’ve been able to provide more transformative, personalized services.
- Concentrating on our key areas of excellence has allowed us to develop unparalleled depth in our offerings.
- Aligning our work with our vision has reignited our passion and purpose.
Lessons Learned
Authenticity Trumps Conformity – Resisting the pressure to conform to industry norms has been our greatest strength.
Quality Over Quantity – Focusing on fewer, high-value relationships has proven more rewarding than pursuing volume.
Adaptability is Key – The ability to pivot quickly in response to changing circumstances is crucial for SME survival.
Looking Ahead
As My TrueNORTH steps into our 9th year, I do so with renewed clarity and purpose. The challenges we’ve all faced this past year or so, have not only made us more resilient but have also sharpened our vision for our future. That ‘Standing out’ is far more important than ‘blending in’ and that whilst our offering may not suit all, it is truly transformational for those it does.
To our clients, team members, and partners who have been part of this journey: thank you for your trust and support. Here’s to another year of authentic growth, meaningful impact, and staying true to our course. Looking ahead to our 9th year, I’m filled with optimism and determination. I’m excited to continue innovating, growing, and making a positive difference in the world, as we work to deliver on our mission to eradicate unemployment in the UK.
To everyone who has been part of our journey – thank you. Here’s to another year of discovery, growth, and success!