At the end of September it marked four years in business, and it gave me plenty of reasons to pause and reflect. There was a national award, meaningful work with leaders and teams, a keynote, time with my Rotary community and a radio interview to round off the month. There was also sadness, and a reminder that behind every busy calendar is a person with much more happening than we can see.
Four years of learning and backing myself
When I started my coaching and consultancy business in September 2022, I brought more than 20 years of experience in financial services, a love of working with people and a belief in the difference emotional intelligence can make.
I also had plenty to learn about running a business! These four years have stretched my self-belief, tested my adaptability and encouraged me to become more visible. I’ve invested in my learning, built relationships and kept taking steps forward even when I didn’t feel entirely ready. Looking back, I’m proud of the business I’m building and grateful to the people who make it possible.
A moment I’ll never forget
Being named Network Ireland Solo Businesswoman of the Year 2026 at the national awards in Galway a couple of weeks still feels a little surreal. In 2023, I watched other women put themselves forward while telling myself my business wasn’t ready. In 2024, I entered but didn’t win at branch level. Last year, I won Emerging Businesswoman and Networker of the Year in Wexford, but didn’t receive recognition nationally.
Every application helped me reflect, recognise progress and consider what came next. There was pride each year and, sometimes, disappointment too.
This year, my name was called. Winning in Galway was extra special for this Mayo woman! When I watch the video, I see my hands go straight to my mouth in disbelief and hear the women (my cheerleaders- we all need them) around me cheering. That support is something I’ll always remember.
Thank you to Jo Flood – Mindset Coach , Verna Goff (Precious Pebbles), Bridget Crean and their families for sharing the evening, and to Roisin Leacy and Kathleen Kinsella for their encouragement and support throughout the awards journey. To everyone who sent messages, shared posts and celebrated with me: thank you.
The category may be “Solo”, but so many people contribute to this business through their trust, referrals, collaboration and encouragement.
Who helps you see what you’re capable of-and do they know how much that means?
The conversations at the heart of my work
It was not all just award ceremonies , September included work with a number of clients including Greenhill Fruit Farm Wexford , Perennial Freight and BD , alongside one-to-one coaching with individual leaders across Wexford and other counties IN Ireland. Some of this work happened in busy rooms, with teams exploring emotional intelligence together. Some happened in quieter conversations, with space to pause, think honestly and decide what comes next and some happened in nature.
Both matter. The RocheMartin Emotional Capital Report® helps us understand our strengths and development areas. Coaching and reflection help us turn that understanding into everyday action. How do we respond when we feel under pressure? Can we speak honestly while respecting another person? Are we listening to understand, or already preparing our reply? Leadership shows up in these moments. A pause before responding. A clearer conversation. A willingness to hear another perspective. Small changes, practised consistently, can make a meaningful difference.
Thank you to the organisations and individuals who continue to trust me with this work. These conversations remain at the heart of why I do it.
Giving our “notions” a chance
A highlight was delivering an emotional intelligence keynote for Kersia’s Committed & Different group. We explored the courage to think differently, speak up and bring others with us and the “notions” we can be quick to dismiss.
Perhaps it’s an idea we want to share, a role we would love to pursue or a change that would give us a greater sense of purpose. Before we’ve explored it, we’re already listing the reasons it won’t work.
I recognise that voice myself. Starting this business, entering awards and stepping onto a stage have all asked me to move beyond it. Self-belief, optimism and adaptability help us consider what might be possible and take a practical step towards it
Making room for grief
Alongside the celebrations, I’m mindful of those who have lost loved ones.
A friend recently lost their mum after a short illness- my thoughts are with them and with everyone navigating grief. Joy and sadness can sit alongside each other. We may be celebrating something while someone close to us is facing a loss or carrying both emotions ourselves. Emotional intelligence includes recognising this and responding with care. Listening without trying to fix things. Giving people space. Checking in beyond the first few days.
In our workplaces and communities, empathy asks us to look beyond what someone is doing and consider what they may be carrying.
Community, connection and service
September also brought the Rotary Ireland conference in Cork, celebrating 100 years of Rotary Cork. It was lovely to spend time with fellow Rotary Club of Wexford Rotarians, hear inspiring speakers and share a few moments with Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the gala celebration. What stayed with me most was the commitment of people giving their time, skills and energy to serve others.
Community has always mattered to me. Rotary is a reminder of what we can contribute when we build relationships and come together around a shared purpose- #ServiceaboveSelf
A lovely way to finish the month
I rounded off September in the South East radio studio with Verna Goff, sharing our experiences of the Network Ireland national awards with Alan Corcoran .
Verna received Highly Commended in the Creative Professional category, and it was lovely to celebrate together and share our stories with listeners. A memorable finish to a month that also marked four years of building this business
As I move into October, I’m taking gratitude, renewed self-belief and a reminder to make room for the full range of human experience.
Joe Sheppard and I will return to “From Insight to Impact: The Human Side of Leadership” in coming weeks . For now, there is time and space for what matters most. To celebrate progress. To support one another through difficult days. To keep learning and give our ambitions a chance.
Before your next busy month begins, perhaps pause and ask:
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What progress deserves more recognition?
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Who might appreciate a thoughtful check-in?
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What would I like to take one step towards?
Thank you for being part of these four years, for reading my newsletters, for ilking, sharing, referring and keeping me in Business- Thank you for your trust, encouragement and conversations.
I’d love to hear what September has taught you?
With thanks,
Natasha
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