Back in business: a year on

A year ago today, I said goodbye to a lovely bunch of colleagues (over a few too many glasses of wine) and took the brave step to leave my "proper" management job and return to running my own HR & training consultancy - something I had started 5 years previously but was quickly side-tracked by a "short term part-time contract" which quickly became permanent, full time and left little time for much else.

When you have your head down busy with the every day demands of running a business, it is easy to feel you're not making much progress quickly enough, so I thought it was time to review what I have been up to over the past year. Here's a summary of my first year back in business in numbers:

• Provided outsourced HR solutions to 14 different organisations around Wiltshire and Swindon, including SMEs, charities and a school
• Coached 38 learners, supporting them to achieve the Level 3 Certificate in Recruitment Practice through the REC Institute of Recruitment Professionals
• Delivered training to staff from 41 different organisations, covering subjects including recruitment, employment law and presentation skills
• Supported 8 people to achieve their career goals through interview coaching and producing professionally written CVs and reviewing application forms
• Attended 9 courses to improve my own knowledge, from updates on employment law to running a business, social media and first aid
• Shared information on HR issues through writing 6 articles and 2 newsletters
• Got up very early 34 times to attend breakfast meetings with the brilliant Business Growth Group in Melksham who have become a valuable source of support
• Gained 45% of my business through recommendations and referrals, 43% through my professional bodies and 12% through social media activity - follow me on twitter @kathrynroynonhr
• And most importantly got my life work balance back on track, allowing me to spend more quality family time with 2 special little boys

Over the course of the past year I have enjoyed getting to know my clients' businesses, understanding their challenges and supporting them to achieve their goals through implementing the right approach to recruiting, managing and developing their people. I love the variety dealing with all aspects of HR from recruitment and training to employment law issues, employee consultations, pensions auto-enrolment and producing contracts and policies. And the variety of working in so many different sectors from education, care and charity to professional services and trades.

I'm looking forward to more challenges in the year ahead: expanding the number of clients I am supporting with a retained HR service, introducing new courses and my website is nearly ready to launch.

Running your own business can be daunting at times, but with the right support around you - from both family, friends and professional networks - and a lot of determination, focus and self-belief, it is also very rewarding.

Thanks for reading. Best wishes,

Kathryn Roynon chartered MCIPD FIRP

Director of Kathryn Roynon HR & Training Consultancy