In April 2022, I quietly started a side hustle alongside my day job in the Civil Service. It began with career and interview coaching sessions squeezed in around my 9–5, online events held from my kitchen table, and, as Covid restrictions lifted, a few in-person workshops. I didn’t have a grand business plan or a glossy vision board—just a deep sense that I had something valuable to offer.
Instead of a vision board, I did something else.
I got my first tattoo at the age of 53. A small word on my wrist: Believe. It felt like a promise to myself—a quiet declaration that I was ready to back myself, even if I wasn’t sure where the road would lead.
And what a road it’s been.
Leaving the Safety Net
Fast forward to today. I’m now a year into my official career break—though break is the wrong word. I’ve been working harder than ever, but this time, on my own terms. I now run my business full-time, supporting clients across the UK and Ireland—especially women returning to work, career changers, and midlife professionals navigating change.
The journey hasn’t been linear. It’s been full of learning curves, late nights, risk-taking, deep conversations, and moments of profound transformation—for me and for the incredible people I get to work with.
Earlier this year, I took another bold step: I applied for early retirement from the Civil Service.
It wasn’t a decision made lightly. On paper, extending my career break might have seemed like the safer choice. But in truth, it would have been a straightjacket. I realised I was done with shrinking to fit into systems that no longer felt aligned with who I am or the work I’m here to do.
Tattoo Number Two: Free
To mark this new chapter, I got a second tattoo. Just one word again: Free.
Because that’s how this chapter feels.
✅ Freedom to do work I love.
✅ Freedom to set my own pace and priorities.
✅ Freedom to build a business that reflects my values—and helps others rediscover theirs.
As The Soup Dragons (yes, a musical throwback!) once said: “I’m free to do what I want, any old time.”
What This Means for You
You don’t need to get a tattoo to start a new chapter. You don’t need to have it all figured out. But you do need belief.
Whether you’re thinking about returning to work after a break, considering a career change, or stepping into a leadership role that scares you (in the best way)—small steps, taken with intention, can change everything.
And if you’re teetering on the edge of a decision? Know this:
✨ You are just one brave step away from feeling free.
✨ You deserve a career that fits the person you’ve become—not the one you used to be.
✨ You’re not too late, too old, or too far behind.
I’m here to help you believe that too.
Ready for your next chapter?
Whether you're planning a midlife career change, returning to work, or launching your own business, I offer 1:1 coaching, group workshops, and practical tools to help you take the next step—confidently.
Contact me today! Colette Leeson | Interview and Career Coach