10 years in business.

6 years with my business partner. 4 years solo.

It took me for a few years to recognise that my business partner acted as time traveller for me.

He started Intentional 5 years before I joined.

I remember his moments of excitement and inspiration.

Frustration and anger.

Exhaustion and weariness.

Resilience & Clarity.

Bravery.

When he first shared his exhaustion, I was experiencing inspiration.

I was 3 years in, he was finishing 7 years.

We had just gone through our first flat year of growth since I joined.

At first I was confused.

A mentor helped me see that while we were saying the same things. Shared the same values. We were meaning different things as we were at different stages of life and business.

For the next 3 years I deeply understood this time travel gift I had been given.

And so when my business partner took long service leave after a gruelling covid period. Then shared his desire to exit after 10.5 years. I wasn't as in shock as maybe some would be. I saw his resilience, I heard his clarity. I recognised his bravery to step into the unknown.

And as I moved into being the sole owner. I noticed my exhaustion, my weariness after the initial growth boom.

2024 required me to dig deep into resilience. And in 2025, I've had to bring a level of clarity to who I am, what I want to do. I still need to find more clarity in setting a renewed vision for the future.

And so as I enter 2026, I reflect that the time travelling emotional barometer is no longer their.

I am stepping into my own unknown - for a path that requires me to bring Bravery and Courage.

In possibly the most challenging environment. For a business and industry that has been completely disrupted, then disrupted again and again and again.

Yet I am clear that I am only scratching the surface of what is truly possible for myself, for my team, for our clients.

As I step into my unknown.

I feel curious and challenged.