To my fellow Founders xo

Founders, how often do you find yourself asking, "Is this life still for me?"

As September rolls in, I’m reflecting on the four-year journey since I registered DiverseTalent.ai . Four years of tears, laughs, anxiety, flexibility, growth, and endless opportunities.

Building a social impact company has been the most rewarding professional experience of my life.

Over these years, we've:

? Helped 270 people land jobs at inclusive employers

? Donated ￡3,200 to charities and good causes

? Contributed ￡250,000 to the local economy through jobs creation and always partnering with Northern Irish contractors

? Developed Ireland’s only diversity jobs platform using human-centric AI

? Engaged with schools, community centres, and communities across the globe

We’ve picked up awards, secured grants from Innovate UK and Techstart Ventures, and built something truly impactful. But behind the success, there have been challenges too, and in the spirit of transparency, here’s the reality:

?? Economy: Promised funding fell through, with excuses like SEIS/EIS changes and economic downturns.

?? Talent: We had to let go of some incredible team members due to funding issues. While contractors have filled the gaps, the unique spirit they brought to the team is deeply missed.

?? Customers: Launching DiverseTalent.ai 2.0 during global hiring freezes and DE&I backlash was tough. We hustled with engagement and GTM strategies but lacked the budget for large-scale marketing, making our job that much harder.

?? Founder Life: In February 2024, my partner fell ill, and my focus shifted entirely to their side. I spent three months at the hospital, and while I wouldn’t change a thing, it made me reconsider the balance between personal life and startup grind.

So now, as DiverseTalent.ai hits its four-year mark, I’m asking myself again—is this life still for me?

Yes and no.

?? Yes to my passion for social impact.

?? Yes to keeping DiverseTalent.ai alive, supporting thousands of people and companies.

?? Yes to our incredible community, investors, advisors, and the mission of creating a more inclusive workforce.

But there’s also a “No.”

My personal life has evolved, and the need for stability is stronger than ever. Many founders know this feeling—when life changes, it’s time to reassess priorities. And that’s okay! Amid the hustle, your health and well-being must come first. After all, what’s the point of reaching the finish line if you can’t enjoy the celebration?

Recently, I have been asked some really impactful questions, that I'd encourage all Founders to mull over:

1. Is my current business direction aligned with my personal values and long-term goals?
2. Am I taking care of my physical and mental health?
3. Is my business model sustainable in the current economic environment?
4. What sacrifices am I making, and are they worth it?

If you're answering "No" to even 1 of these questions, I urge you to make a change. Take a stand back and reevaluate what is important.

And so, with this reflection, it is now time for a change at DiverseTalent.ai ??

News of these changes will be coming soon (sorry if you've read to the bottom expecting a huge exclusive release), but you can expect to see some new faces and a bolster of DE&I services for employers and our awesome community, only good things for all of you!

But, what does it mean for me? The Founder?

I'll be concentrating on refilling my pot and getting a bit more stability into my personal life, which could mean me popping a new employment role onto LinkedIn and/or reducing my pro-bono work, events and training services.

So, I suppose my conclusion for Founders reading is this:

The start-up life gives you experiences, opportunities and the ability to show the world something different. But, you will feel burned out, you're going to get 100's of "no's" when seeking investment, you'll have naysayers and doubters, gosh, you might even have saboteurs in your network who want to see you fail, but ultimately it's your life and you decide how you run it.

If your whole heart is in your vision, then ensure you're tapped into your health, home life and long-term goals, as these will need to be stable for you to succeed.

So, watch this space - I'm excited for this new chapter of both Diverse Talent and my life.

PS. If you're a Founder feeling a little lost or burnt out my DM's are opening for coffee chats and totally unsolicited advice??