From Starting Over to Moving Forward

Migrating and starting over career-wise in a new country teaches lessons no boardroom ever could. This is my story.

I left behind relationships, financial security, and a professional track record built over two decades. Clients trusted me, colleagues knew me, and I had deep knowledge of the systems I worked in. Relocating more than 10,000 km became a complete reset. I was a stranger with no name or local reputation, just experience and a willingness to start again. I had to find a starting place, building trust and credibility one step at a time, while also being the one my wife and teenage daughters looked up to for steadiness as they settled into their new environments.

My Christian faith gave me hope and strength, but it didn’t make the path easier. It was tough. Starting over tested my patience, confidence, and sense of identity - who I am. But it reminded me that each of us carry gifts, talents, and potential waiting to be released.

Easier said than done! Anyone who’s started over knows it’s never as simple as it sounds. If the path feels too easy, you might be coasting downhill. I can now relate with many in that ‘great change rarely happens overnight, but the journey builds character, strength, and meaningful success’.  

Above all, it taught me RESILIENCE. I didn’t arrive in Australia without experience. Over a 20-year career in professional advice, I had led teams, resolved disputes, coached business owners, advised individuals, developed strategy, and made tough decisions. But this chapter in the book called life forced me to refocus, challenging me to apply what I knew with fresh clarity and through a new lens.

This experience became the launchpad for EXCELLARISE.

Ten "RESILIENCE" Lessons

My journey didn’t come with a manual, just a lot of hard days, small wins, and moments that shaped me. Along the way I had to make difficult decisions, and I didn’t always get them right, but every step, both personally and professionally, even the challenging ones, moved me forward. Over time, ten clear lessons stood out. Together, they helped me rebuild and grew into the business adviser I am today.

Each lesson is linked to a letter in the word RESILIENCE, to make it easy to remember.

   R    Rebuild with Purpose

   E    Embrace Discomfort

   S     Show Up Consistently

   I    Insight + Action

   L    Lead with Integrity

   I    Intention Over Reaction

   E    Empower Self, Then Others

   N   Navigate Change

   C   Commit to the Process

   E    Elevate Legacy

Each one represents a mindset or leadership habit I’ve lived, tested, and continue to apply in my work with business owners navigating their own challenges. They aren’t just ideals, they are survival skills in both business and life, and it all starts with the first lesson, the one that helped me take that first step forward.

R – Rebuild with Purpose

I remember sitting at our dining table, staring at my laptop, unsure where to begin. My thoughts kept returning to what I knew, the moments that gave me energy, where I felt I was making a real difference.



The work I found most meaningful was never about a ‘job title’. It was in those real conversations, sitting across from business owners, listening to their challenges, helping them see what’s possible, and working out practical steps together.

I realised I was at my best when combining all the parts of my experience, whether from legal, financial, strategic planning, or working alongside advisors and clients to help people gain clarity and confidence in their next move, especially around estate planning, exit, and succession.

That’s what gave my purpose, and it’s what still fuels me today.

Because finding purpose is only the beginning. Living it is the real test, it often means letting go of what’s familiar, stepping into discomfort, and trusting a path that’s not fully clear. That’s when purpose becomes more than an idea; it becomes the compass that helps you take the next step, even when things feel slow or uncertain.

So, if you’re reading this and wondering what your next step looks like, or whether you’re still building something that really matters to you, you’re not alone. Plenty of business owners ask themselves the same thing, especially during seasons of change.

Don’t ignore the question. It’s a good one, and it’s worth slowing down to answer it. Because that answer might just be the starting point for something better.

E – Embrace Discomfort

The discomfort of starting again professionally was overwhelming. I went from being well-known and respected to reintroducing myself over and over while building a business from scratch, in a new country. It shook my confidence.

But growth often hides behind discomfort. The sooner you lean into it, the sooner you grow through it. I had moments of hesitation, and there were times that I wasn’t the best version of myself, but I chose to let it refine me, not define me. The season revealed to me that when everything else is stripped away, you see the kind of person you really are, because it’s in this discomfort that character is not only tested but formed.

I now draw on this insight and experience to help other business owners lead with steadiness through their own discomfort and make progress toward the outcomes that matter most to them.

If you’re going through any of these, remember discomfort is part of the process, not a stop sign, it should never become a roadblock, rather the place where progress starts.

Now that we’ve embraced discomfort, the next lesson is about showing up consistently, even when progress is slow.

S – Show Up Consistently

In the early days of my journey, progress was slow. But I kept showing up, writing emails, making calls, introductions, turning up to meetings, having conversations, following through. Some days, nothing seemed to move, but I kept going.

Over time, this consistency built trust and credibility. It wasn’t about doing more; it was about being steady and reliable, and building momentum, sometimes even with only small actions at a time.

This is still how I work, and how I encourage clients to move forward when they feel stuck. It’s easy to hesitate when results don’t show up quickly, but consistency is never wasted. Even when momentum feels invisible, your consistency is planting seeds. Keep showing up, the results will follow.

I – Insight + Action

For me, insight means clarity, seeing the heart of the issue, understanding what really matters, and finding direction for the next step. I also learned early on, especially while re-establishing myself and launching EXCELLARISE, that insight alone isn’t enough. I fell into the trap of over-preparing, overthinking, refining advice, rewriting emails or social media content, and second-guessing before finally taking action. I thought if I could just get it perfect, the results would follow, but that only slowed my momentum. In my advisory work, I’ve developed and sharpened the ability to turn insight into action, especially when it comes to applying analytical thinking in complex situations.

I must confess, some of the most valuable momentum in my rebuilding process came not when I had everything figured out, but when I took a step forward anyway. Things weren’t perfect, but they moved me forward. I have since learned that insight gives understanding, but clarity comes through action, and its action that gives the much-needed traction.

Now, I help clients do the same, especially when they’re navigating complexity like growth, reinvention, when what once worked no longer does, when the business is evolving, when leadership needs to adapt or during times of exit and succession of leadership. You don’t always need the whole path to be perfectly laid out. You need to take the next step that aligns with your values and intent.

Important recap: insight matters, but it’s your willingness to act on it, and how you act under pressure, that truly moves things forward.

L – Lead with Integrity

Starting over, there were moments where pressure, uncertainty, and urgency tempted me to take shortcuts or second-guess my values. I knew that if I compromised on integrity early on, I’d be building on the wrong foundation. So, I made a choice, again and again, to stay aligned with what I believed was right, even when no one was watching.

Integrity isn’t just a value, it’s a consistent choice, especially in unfamiliar or high-pressure situations. It’s what builds trust, and trust is what everything else rests on. As American business author Tom Peters put it, “There is no such thing as a minor lapse of integrity.”

I’ve seen how quickly uncertainty can lead people to compromise, even slightly. But in my experience, those small decisions often have the biggest impact over time. Integrity is what keeps you steady, and it’s what people remember long after the pressure, noise, or excitement have passed.

I’ve also learned that leading with integrity sometimes means walking a harder road, one where you may have to leave behind people whose expectations or values no longer align with your own. It’s not easy, but it’s often necessary to protect your values, priorities, sense of purpose, and the path you’re committed to.

Now, when working with clients I remind them: don’t ignore what doesn’t feel right. Trust your instincts, and be intentional when it comes to integrity, especially when things feel uncertain.

Because in business, leadership without integrity may move fast, but it rarely lasts.

I – Intention Over Reaction

When you’re rebuilding, it’s easy to get caught up in urgency, to respond to every message instantly, accept every opportunity, or react from a place of fear or pressure. I know that feeling well. In the early days of starting again, I often felt like I needed to keep moving, reacting through quick decisions and actions, just to stay afloat.

In my thirties, working in a fast-paced large corporate environment, I was quick to react, too quick at times. I remember being called by a board member, into the office, after yet another frustrated email from my desk. His advice stuck with me: "If you're uneasy or emotional about something, don't send the email. Sit with it for an afternoon." It wasn’t a punishment; it was a principle. It laid the foundation for how I respond today. The only difference is, now I can make that intentional decision much faster.

This experience taught me that real leadership, whether in business or life, doesn’t come from reacting, it comes from pausing, thinking clearly, and acting with intention. A small pause makes a big difference as I ask myself, “What’s the outcome I really want here?”

This one question helped me to stop being swept up by urgency during my business rebuilding phase and make clear, calm decisions. I didn’t need hours of reflection, just a moment of clarity before responding.

I’m not claiming to always get this right. I still have days where I slip into reaction mode or second-guess myself - none of us are perfect. But the difference now is, I catch myself sooner, pause faster, and reset more intentionally. Professionalism doesn’t mean perfection; it means showing up with purpose, staying accountable, even when things don’t go to plan.

If you’re leading a business, facing tough decisions, executing strategies or planning your next step, remember urgency isn’t always helpful. Pause, think, then act, because when your decisions are intentional, your outcomes will be stronger.

A reminder: even a short pause can reset your thinking. Clear decisions come from clear minds, and that starts with taking care of yourself first.

E – Empower Self, Then Others

In the beginning, I tried to do it all, especially having years of experience in advisory and coaching. I thought I had to prove myself to friends, clients, colleagues, and even my own family. I was quickly reminded when the pressure and exhaustion set in, that being a lone ranger will not work.

Most adult growth, personal or professional, comes from intentional self-development. I began investing in myself again, pursuing further education, earning industry-recognised credentials, and joining a global advisory network, adding practical tools and frameworks. This gave me access to collaboration, fresh thinking, and new perspective.

With a stronger mindset and deeper leadership understanding, I raised the standard of the value I offer. I’ve empowered others for many years, but investing in myself again gave me the clarity, confidence, and composure to do it with even greater impact.

Now I show up to meetings and client interactions more focused, calm, and able to make a real difference. It’s not just clients who benefit, collaborators, even fellow professionals and colleagues benefit more when you show up with confidence, and from a place of empowerment.

Empowerment begins with you. When you commit to growing yourself, you become someone who naturally lifts those around you. Remember, real sustainable growth doesn’t happen in isolation — staying connected, collaborating, and being part of a community is where empowerment truly multiplies.

So, if you currently feel like you’re carrying it all, start with you. Building yourself up is where sustainable strength begins, and where resilience shows up.

N – Navigate Change

Change has been the one constant in this journey, and it hasn’t always been welcome or well-timed. At times it felt overwhelming, but it pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t know I needed.

What I’ve learned is this: Resisting change isn’t really an option. The only way forward is through. Embracing change, one step at a time, helped me feel more in control. Whether it was rebuilding professional credibility in the advisory industry, overcoming recognition barriers, navigating communication differences, building new networks, managing the pressure to prove myself, or balancing integration while staying true to my cultural identity; change required me to let go of something familiar and move toward something uncertain. Each time I embraced it, I became clearer, stronger, and more adaptable.

That’s now a big part of what I help clients do, face change with openness, curiosity, and practical steps forward. Navigating change is a leadership act, and it takes steadiness, courage, and humility to grow while guiding others through uncertainty.

Two truths stand out when it comes to change:

1. If you want something different, you have to choose to change, not just your strategy, but your mindset.
2. Change isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about being honest, staying true to what matters, while taking one step at a time.

If change feels uncertain, start with what you can control, your mindset, your values, and your next step. It might still feel chaotic at times, but commitment builds resilience and grounds you in progress, even when results take time.

C – Commit to the Process

There were months at the beginning when I wondered if anything I was doing was working. No enquiries, no leads, no signs that momentum was building. But I kept going.

Every day I showed up. I emailed, made calls, wrote content, followed up, connected with people, even when it felt like no one was responding. In my world, showing up consistently has always mattered more than intense, short-lived efforts.

Whether you’re rebuilding, scaling, planning for succession, or reviewing what’s working and what’s not, the same holds true. Results don’t show up instantly, but with consistent, intentional effort and commitment to process, and accountability for outcomes, they do come.

I often remind clients of the difference between responsibility and accountability. Responsibility is ticking off tasks, while accountability is owning outcomes. This is why I love Don Shula’s words: “There is nothing wrong with setting goals, but it doesn’t mean a thing if you don’t pay attention to the day-to-day details.” Committing to the process means sticking with the small things that build big results, even when it’s hard, even when no one is watching.

If you're a business owner, busy doing the right things day after day, and not seeing results yet, don’t stop. Progress shows up for those who keep going. Then, when it does, don’t make it just about the day it finally shows, make it about the last lesson; the legacy you’re building.

E – Elevate Legacy

Let’s start with the most important truth: legacy is about making sure that what you stood for and what you’ve built keeps making a difference, long after you’ve stepped away.

In my work with business owners, especially those preparing for exit or succession, one question often comes up: “Will what I’ve built continue to grow, serve, and add value without me?”

The answer isn't just about business transferability, it’s about how well the heart of what you’ve built, your values, your vision, your way of leading, can be passed on and still make a difference.

I’ve sat beside business owners during deeply personal moments: choosing who will take the reins, deciding what values to protect, and asking what it means to leave something they’re proud of. I understand those moments, because I’ve faced them too.

With relocation came rethinking of my own legacy, leaving behind business interests and relationships build over many years. What did I want to leave behind? How did I want to shape what came next? That reflection changed me, professionally and personally. I had to update how I communicate, shift how I deliver value, and let go of ways that no longer served the future I wanted to build.

The lesson is simple but powerful: Legacy is built today! It’s shaped in every conversation, every decision, every act of leadership. It’s not something you only plan for later, it’s something you live now.

So, if you’re a business owner or leader, I encourage you to pause and ask yourself:

• What do I want to be remembered for?
• Who will be ready and equipped to lead when I step back, or when I am no longer here?
• ·What values do I want to protect and pass on?

When you start answering these questions, your decisions become clearer, your team becomes stronger, and your future becomes more intentional.

For many of us, including myself, legacy isn’t just about business continuity, it’s also about the values we model and pass on to our families, who often walk closely beside us through the highs and lows.

What’s Next

Starting over gave me a clearer lens on leadership, especially in uncertain times. It taught me how to rebuild value, lead through transition, and strengthen the kind of resilience that doesn’t just survive change, but grows through it.

Looking back, I realise I didn’t grow in spite of the setbacks, but because of them. Every challenge shaped something in me that couldn’t have been formed any other way.

If you’re at a crossroads, rebuilding, growing, simply trying to stay steady, or planning a transition from years as a business owner into something new or into retirement, and you’re not sure where to start, you’re not alone. This is the kind of journey I now walk alongside others, offering perspective, structure, and support when it’s time to navigate change and challenges.

In the end, what we build today is what shapes tomorrow.

As the saying goes:

“Keep your thoughts positive, as they shape your words.

Keep your words positive, for they influence your actions.

Keep your actions positive, as they form your habits.

Keep your habits positive, as they become your values.

Keep your values positive, for they define your destiny.”

Wherever you are in your journey, keep going, stay faithful to the process, because resilience, built over time, leaves a legacy that lasts.