There I was, just the other side of 45 and out of corporate, looking to do my ‘own thing’. After 20+ years in large organisations of one sort or another, I had loads of experience and expertise and I knew how to get things done. How hard could it be?
After the Mothership …
You see, I started my (first) career and spent several years working in BT, which we often referred to as ‘The Mothership’. I found out this was quite a common term that people used in other organisations (apart from one where they called it ‘The Death Star’ on account of its logo. Well, not JUST on account of the logo but that’s another story…). Now that was behind me and I had to create a new career, a new life ‘After the Mothership’.
Learnt the hard way
And that’s what I’ve been doing for the past several years but it’s been far from easy. My early insouciance was proved to be wildly misplaced because, after spending so much of our lives in these big institutions, we’re just not prepared or equipped for this new way of working. I also found that there was very little in the way of advice or guidance on how someone like me actually makes a success of this. In short, I’ve been on a massive, lengthy and painful learning curve, working out through trial and error what works and what to do.
My Mission …
is to spare you and others from this by sharing my experience and hard-won knowledge so you get there more quickly and easily. On my journey, I’ve found out the common issue that come up and learnt that some can take ages, possibly forever, to solve. That means you can get seriously stuck if you don’t have the the right advice and support from someone who has been through it before and really knows the lie of the land.
Support you’ll understand
It was the lack of focused support for people like us that drove me to start “After the Mothership”. There’s plenty of stuff about ‘being an entrepreneur’ and ‘doing an awesome start-up’ but we’re not 30-year olds with skinny jeans and pony tails (and yes, that is just the men). When you are 45+ and have been around the corporate block a few times (and had a few lumps knocked off in the process) you want a bit more than shouts of ‘Awesome’ and fist-bumps, you want the right tools, skills and know-how for this next next stage of your career. That’s what I am here for, to give you the grounded, practical, no-frills advice that really works for people like us, and the kind of support that respects where you’ve come from.
By the way, …
have you noticed that in all the stories in the magazines, the people who have made this change are always fabulously glossy and really successful? You know, like the ex-ad agency guy who started up a business selling grooming products for male genitalia that’s now doing millions*. Don’t worry, I know it’s not like that for most of us from day one, so I give pragmatic, grounded, no-frills advice that is based in real world that the rest of us occupy.
Critical friend
I don’t shy away from talking about the hard emotional and intellectual work we need to put in to work through the challenges but I am there with you, giving you the encouragement and support to get through them – although I do draw the line at any personal grooming. Or any physical contact at all, come to that. Except a handshake. And maybe a hug, once we know each other. 😉
Let’s talk
Does it sounds like this might be for you and you’d like to explore how to work with me? Email me at colin@afterthemothership.com and let me know where you are at right now and I’ll arrange a call to discuss your situation and see if I can help you.
Colin
*(No, I didn’t make that up, someone really has http://www.high50.com/startup/high50-entrepreneur-jonathan-durden-launches-below-the-belt-grooming)