Sometimes a project comes along and the fit is simply perfect. This oil and gas client had me drawing on experiences from every line of my CV. With ambitious plans for growth, there was a lot to do.

In 2013, Charlotte Saynor left a hugely successful career in media and entertainments to launch Saynor Events. Charlotte’s events expertise and deep commercial understanding mean the business has rocketed.

Adam Jeffryes started Dromaeus IT Services to take the stress out of IT for small and medium-sized businesses. Working across the East Midlands, his team offers everything from consultancy to a fully-outsourced help desk. Including the very latest in cloud technology and business comms.

Sonja McGeachie launched The London Speech and Feeding Practice to share her 20+ years of experience in speech, language and feeding therapy. Sonja works with babies and children, often with complex needs, to help them reach their potential and thrive.

Driver First Assist is a not-for-profit, first-aid training organisation. Their focus is on providing accident first-responder skills to business drivers to save lives in the minutes before the emergency services arrive. And they’re constantly innovating to keep costs low and reach as broad an audience as possible.

Mark Moseley is the man behind the young and already-award winning Pestgone Environmental. These are pest controllers with a difference and they leave no kickboard unturned in their hunt for unwelcome visitors.

Zen mother, coach and marketing whiz Zoe Blaskey started Motherkind in 2017. She offers podcasts, events and coaching to help mums find their way in life and business.

Katia Roy brings over 20 years of experience to her role as The Montessori Consultant. Working in English and French, she helps parents and children to thrive.

Fulham Palace was home to the Bishops of London for more than 1,200 years. From wandering neolithic tribesmen to dinner with Queen Elizabeth I, the site itself has seen around 10,000 years of history.

Melinda and Andrew Cotton founded their Fulham practice –  now the biggest private osteopathy clinic in London –  nearly 30 years ago. Many of their clients have been returning to them for decades.

The Yellow Van Company  offers low-price Man and Van services all over London. Their Trustpilot and Checkatrade ratings show they’re head and shoulders above their competition for price and reliability.

A research PhD on Jurassic carbonate ramps doesn’t make entertaining bedtime reading for most people, I understand. It does make a copywriter who’s relentlessly thorough in her research though.

Straight-talking super-coach Candace Williams launched her executive coaching business in 2016. After a long career in marketing and sales management roles, she decided to turn her love for supporting emerging leaders into a full-time job.

Are you looking for a corporate copywriter who’s stood where you are? I’ve spent years in major corporations, working primarily in business development. Winning minds, hearts and, ultimately, millions of dollars of cash for deals and operations, was all in a day’s work.

Do you have the feeling that your dream job is still out there? Or that your career doesn’t fit with your values or the shape of your life any more?

You’ve found a gap in the market that’s you-shaped. You’re convinced you can execute that idea far better yourself. You know that your blend of skills is unique and your offer is priceless. If now is the time to start your own business, here are some helping hands…

Maybe you’ve taken a year or two. Maybe you’ve taken longer. Maternity leave, following a spouse’s job, an international move… All kinds of things could be behind a career break.