What I didn't expect this year
When you run your own business, no one hands you an annual review.
So this week, prompted by a group of business buddies, I sat down and did something I don't do often enough: I looked back on the year. The milestones, the highs, the lows, both professional and personal. We went through our calendars and camera rolls because it's so easy to forget all those moments.
2025 was full. I created and grew Launchpad, a year-long leadership and development programme for mid-career women. I ran my own public speaking events, collaborated with brilliant people, was asked to speak across space, aviation and defence. I delivered the Institute Lecture for the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors. And somewhere in the middle of all that... I did a TEDx.
But when I looked back through my calendar, the TEDx wasn't the thing that defined the year.
The real highlight was building Launchpad.
Not just the programme itself (the training, the live calls, the resources) but the community it became. I genuinely didn't see that coming. A space where experienced, capable women showed up, asked great questions, shared what had worked (and what hadn't), and supported each other.
On our final call this week, we reflected on the first year of Launchpad. They were full of praise for the programme, but what stayed with me was how warmly they spoke about each other, and how much they appreciated having each other in their corner.
That feels like real success.
There were other quieter wins too. Saying no to projects that weren't right, always hard, but necessary. Working with my best friend to set up the backend of Launchpad, which was an absolute joy. Being able to do the majority of school pickups, watch their sports matches, concerts and plays. Winning contracts, losing contracts, and learning from both.
So that’s my year! How was yours? Do you do a personal end-of-year review?
I'm relaunching Launchpad in January. Bigger, better, but without losing what made this year special: the human connection, the community, the in-person events where real relationships get built.
If that sounds like something you need in 2025, drop me a message. I'd love to chat.
For now, I hope you get some proper time off. I certainly plan to.
See you on the other side of Christmas.
Susan
