Why Would I Ever Leave………. Let Alone Retire?

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For many, retirement is the long-awaited reward for a life of hard work. But for business owners, the idea of stepping away can feel like losing a part of themselves.

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I’ve thought a lot about this, and for a long time, I was absolutely convinced I’d never retire. In fact, the thought of retirement still fills me with dread. I’ve seen too many people—both employees and business owners—retire only to wither away, physically, mentally, or both.

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I’ll never forget the top salesman at my first dealership. He was sharp, successful, and brimming with energy—right up until the day he retired. When he visited us a year later, his physical and cognitive decline was shocking. That memory has stayed with me ever since—a reminder of how losing purpose can take a toll.

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Of course, everyone’s situation is different, and I’m sure he had good reasons for retiring when he did. But for me, the idea of giving up the work I love—and everything that comes with it—felt like giving up a part of myself.

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Why Retirement Feels So Wrong

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For many business owners, work is more than a job. It’s their identity, their purpose, and their social network. After decades of sacrifice and effort, the idea of stepping away feels like cutting off a piece of who you are.

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I’ll be honest—there’s another uncomfortable truth I had to face: my ego.

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There’s something about being the boss, the founder, the person everyone turns to. It comes with relevance, recognition, and control. I’ll admit, I enjoyed that. Running a business isn’t just about work; it becomes your life. Your business is your baby, the thing you’ve nurtured and protected, sometimes at the expense of everything else.

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As entrepreneurs, we’re in a small club—just 2.1% of people in the UK ever start a business that employs others. That brings a level of respect, not just from employees but often from peers, suppliers, and even competitors.

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Every day, I got the affirmation we all crave: that I was doing something right. And that’s addictive. The thought of giving all that up because of an arbitrary milestone—65, for example—felt wrong. Why would I stop just because of a number?

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The Wake-Up Call(s)

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For years, I clung to the idea that I’d never retire. Then, three life-altering events forced me to rethink my plans.

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In March 2012, my dad was diagnosed with cancer just a month before he was set to retire. He died two months later. In August 2014 , my mother visited from Newcastle and collapsed in front of me, dying from a DVT. Losing them both so suddenly was a brutal wake-up call.

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I then sustained a back injury which led to me being hospitalised, unable to work for more than a few hours a day for over 24 months, ?and a few years later a three week trip to rehab for painkiller addiction ( more on that later)

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These events forced me to confront a harsh truth: the plans I had for the latter stages of my life might not be mine to make.

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It also made me realise the potential irresponsibility of not planning for my own succession.

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Building a Legacy

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Their deaths forced me to ask some hard questions: Was I holding on because I loved the work—or because I feared letting go? Could the business thrive without me at the centre? And most importantly, was I truly building something that could last beyond me?

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Once I faced these questions, I realised it wasn’t just about creating a succession plan; it was about creating a SUCCESS plan. Bringing in A-players—people with the skills and drive to take the business to the next level—wasn’t just about ensuring the business’s future; it was about elevating it to new heights.

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By stepping back from the day-to-day, I wasn’t losing control—I was gaining the freedom to focus on what mattered most. It was a shift from being essential to the business to building a business that was self-sufficient.

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How We Can Help

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At Alderway, we understand how deeply connected you are to your business. You’ve spent years building it—why would you want to step away completely? That’s why we offer solutions that let you remain involved while protecting the legacy you’ve worked so hard to create.

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Here’s how it works:

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?? ????? You retain an interest. Stay connected to your business on your terms, whether mentoring, strategising, or simply enjoying the parts you love most.

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It’s not about stepping away entirely; it’s about giving yourself options. You can remain involved in the areas you enjoy while knowing your legacy is secure.

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The Key Isn’t Retirement—It’s Relevance

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If you’ve started thinking about what’s next—or even if you’re just curious—we’d love to talk. Let’s explore how you can stay relevant and involved while protecting your life’s work.

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Retirement isn’t the goal for many of us. Relevance and purpose are. At Alderway, we help you achieve that—on your terms.

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