I think it is fair to say that Covid19 is one of the most horrific things that many of us have, and will ever experience.
Myself and my family have been very lucky because we are healthy and together during this tough period.
Although we have managed to remain virus free, we were greatly affected in another way just like many others across the country. I was unfortunately made redundant.
After 8 years of hard work to develop my career and reach a fairly senior level within the business, I was now in a position that I had not been in before. As you can imagine, various emotions and feelings about my situation and even about the business came into play over the course of the next 8 weeks while I worked out my notice period.
At this point, the clock had started ticking. However, I still had a commitment to those individuals in the middle of the recruitment process to ensure that they are in secure jobs before I move on. All while trying to figure what I was going to do.
Based on what I have said so far, I can understand if you are gearing up for my sob story and getting the tissues ready. However, I am actually here to talk about something very positive that was born out of a negative situation. (Although there will be a little bit about my journey)
So.... As you can imagine, I hit the job sites, started sending out applications and using my network to generate conversations. After the first week, my diary was full of chats, I was buzzing and thought to myself, "you know what, we are going to be just fine, maybe even better than before!".
Then the jobs started to be put on hold, a lot of the conversations ended with a "lets keep in touch", others just wanted to be a bit nosy to be honest! I even went very far down the process with a new brand launch for somebody else that very nearly became reality, but you guessed it, fell at the final hurdle!
So, enough of feeling sorry for me! This was a really important moment for me. The catalyst that created Stirling People Solutions!
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Why was I putting all of my energy into finding somebody else to pull me out of this mess? Someone else's brand that I felt passionate enough about to give it my all? Someone that was going to want the same things and think the same way?
As is normally the way in these situations, it was my wife that helped me realise what was evidently staring me in the face! "Adam, I just cannot imagine you going to work for somebody else again. You can do it, you will be amazing!"
A few hours later, the company name was purchased from companies house to make it official and the hard work began.
Within a week, there was a logo (logo's actually), branding, a website (not a great one, but I made it with my own two hands so be kind), I had an accountant and everything else needed to start doing what I love, and that is recruiting!
What was amazing is that the relationship I had with my LinkedIn network completely changed. Historically it was always very transactional, I was either approaching somebody about a position or somebody was approaching me to see whether I could find them a role. Now, almost over night, I started to form proper relationships with people at similar stages, some of them I had spoken to in some capacity over the years, however now there was no agenda, nothing to be gained. We were just sharing information, help, guidance and recommending people and services that would add value to each others businesses.
I was very lucky to also be able to turn some of my network into my first clients, which I am incredibly grateful for and are starting to become real mutually beneficial partnerships.
What surprised me the most was when I received messages from people to say that they have been following my journey. I had never really intended for it to be a story or a journey that people were tuning into. To be honest, I was just excited and couldn't really keep it to myself. It was also refreshing to be completely accountable for what I put out there, without having to worry about your employer and whether they would be onboard with your content. I could go completely maverick and not get told off!
I have even made it into training sessions for companies that I have never even worked for and inspired other people to take the leap and launch their own businesses which I am incredibly flattered and humbled by.
I am proud to say that we are half way through week 3 of trading, and the first offer has been made and accepted with all parties very happy. So, we're off! I'm doing it! A real business, adding real value, created during the toughest time I am likely to ever face!
Turns out that it was 'fear' holding me back all this time. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear that my experience was very different to the typical agency recruiter, fear of not being able to meet commitments and letting my family down. But when your back is against the wall, it is an amazing experience to see how you react to the situation. Thankfully it ignited a fire in me to create a vehicle to transport us out of this mess.
Once the fear was gone, beast mode set in and there was to be only one outcome!
Wow, 3 weeks on paper looks a lot longer than it has seemed from the driving seat. I genuinely appreciate all the support so far and I am excited about what this business will become.
Thank you for reading.
