There are moments in every working life when you have to stop and ask: ‘Where do I want to go next?’ For many women, that question arrives after redundancy, at the end of maternity leave, when caring responsibilities shift, or once children start school. Whatever prompts the rethink, try to see it as a chance to design a working life that actually fits you. Whether you decide to pivot into a new career or take the leap into starting a business, the same first step applies: get clear on what you want.
What do you like?
Before you dust off your CV or register a company name, audit what you have enjoyed – and endured – in every role so far. Print out your CV and highlight duties that energised you in one colour and tasks that drained you in another. Patterns will emerge quickly: perhaps you love problem-solving but hate rigid hierarchies, or you thrive on client contact but not on endless reporting.
Do not overlook skills gained outside traditional employment. Parenting, caring, volunteering, school governorships and community organising all develop budgeting, negotiation, project management and communication skills that UK employers and customers value. The National Careers Service offers a free Skills Health Check that can help you name those strengths objectively.
While you are reflecting, ask yourself practical questions: Which sectors are growing in the UK? What qualifications or micro-credentials could bridge any gaps? Would retraining be faster and cheaper than building a business from scratch? Be honest about your finances, your support network and your appetite for risk before you choose a direction.
Get motivated
Attitude can carry you as far as experience. An enthusiastic, coachable candidate often outperforms a jaded expert in recruitment, and entrepreneurship demands even more self-belief. If you start a business, optimism is not optional: it is the fuel that gets you through the first quiet months, the rejected pitches and the late-night admin.
That said, motivation needs to be grounded. Passion for an idea is important, but so is evidence that someone will pay for it. Talk to potential customers before you commit. Test your offer with a small pilot or a side project while you are still employed, if you can. The Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship shows that women-led businesses are one of the UK economy’s fastest-growing forces, yet women still start and scale businesses at lower rates than men. Closing that gap starts with women backing themselves – and accessing the right support.
If confidence is the barrier, look for training designed for women returners and founders. Organisations such as Prowess mentoring, the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme, local Growth Hubs and women’s enterprise groups can help you turn motivation into a workable plan.
Get connected
Opportunities rarely arrive out of the blue; they come through people. If you are not already active on LinkedIn, now is the time to build a profile that reflects where you are heading, not just where you have been. Follow leaders in your target sector, comment thoughtfully on their posts and request short informational conversations. Most people are happy to share advice if you are respectful of their time.
Offline networks matter too. In the UK, groups such as Forward Ladies, Everywoman, the Women in Business Network and the Federation of Small Businesses run events, awards and local meet-ups. Many universities, libraries and councils also host free business networking sessions. A strong network can give you referrals, feedback, collaboration partners and the sense that you are not doing this alone.
Get planning
If research and conversations point towards self-employment, you need a plan. A written business plan forces you to move from ‘I have a nice idea’ to ‘here is how I will make it profitable’. It should cover your target market, pricing, marketing strategy, start-up costs, cash-flow forecast and clear milestones.
Set specific goals rather than vague wishes. ‘I want to make a profit’ is too thin; ‘I will turn over £18,000 in my first year and reach monthly break-even by month nine’ gives you something to measure. Use SMART objectives – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound – and review them every quarter.
Get the legal basics right from day one. Choose a business structure that suits your liability, tax and admin needs: most UK founders start as a sole trader or register a limited company with Companies House. You will also need to register with HMRC for Self Assessment, and if your turnover passes the current VAT threshold of £85,000 in a 12-month period you must register for VAT. Free guidance is available through GOV.UK, and organisations such as Start Up Loans offer finance alongside mentoring for eligible new businesses.
Changing career or starting a business can feel overwhelming, especially if the decision has been forced on you. But the process of working out what you enjoy, who you want to serve and how you want to work is valuable in itself. Use this moment to build a future on your own terms – whether that means a new employer, a portfolio career or a company of your own.
