Reflections from 10 Years in Business

10 December 2024

A Reflection by Gillian Everall, Managing Director

Looking back over the past decade, the journey of growing Everfair Tax has been an experience filled with lessons, challenges, and significant achievements. If I could speak to myself 10 years ago, here’s what I would tell my younger self and the key insights I’ve gained since then.

What I Would Tell Myself 10 Years Ago?

The first lesson I would tell myself is simply; just go for it! I remember the fear of uncertainty, but now I see how much time was spent considering the risks when in reality, there was so much more to gain.

When I first started, one of my biggest worries was whether the work would come in consistently, in hindsight now know, the work will come in and that wasn’t something to worry about. Business growth is never linear, and challenges will arise, but the key is to have confidence in your abilities and your business vision.

Another important realisation; you can cope with more than you think. Whether it’s tight deadlines, dealing with clients, or navigating tough economic conditions, you are stronger than you believe, and sometimes, you might even find it fun despite the stress.

The flexibility that comes with running your own business is a valuable asset. It’s a privilege I’ve come to appreciate more and more over the years.

One of the biggest fears I faced was hiring staff. It can feel intimidating to take on the responsibility of others’ livelihoods. But I would tell myself not to be scared of it. Hire when it feels right.

In business, there’s no such thing as having all the answers, and I’ve learned to get used to that. Success comes not from knowing everything, but from being adaptable and finding solutions when challenges arise. It’s critical to acknowledge that mistakes will happen, but the key is to learn from them. Don’t be afraid to face them head-on and grow through the experience.

Most importantly, I would remind myself to enjoy what I’m doing. Life is too short to be consumed by stress or worry.

What I Am Proud Of

Despite the challenges, there are many things I am incredibly proud of. The team we have today is a huge source of pride. We’ve grown into a strong, cohesive unit, and we continue to expand by taking on new trainees and investing in formal training sessions internally.

Our ability to offer a wide range of opportunities to the team and support their professional development has been rewarding. Seeing others grow, learn, and achieve their goals is one of the best parts of leadership. We’ve also been able to expand the services we offer, which has allowed us to serve a broader range of clients and provide them with more value.

Final Thoughts

Of course, hindsight is always 20/20, and there are definitely things I would change. For starters, I would have started sooner. I spent too long thinking about it before jumping in.

Looking back, these 10 years have been an incredible learning experience, filled with growth, challenges, and successes. I’m proud of where we are today, and I look forward to what the future holds. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you don’t have to have it all figured out—you just need to keep moving forward, learning from each experience, and staying true to your vision.