Midlife career change - is the grass always greener?

Midlife career change - is the grass any greener?

Six months ago, I left behind a 30-year career in pharmaceutical logistics and took a leap into something completely different: becoming the owner of a branch of We Love Pets, the UK’s largest full-service pet care franchise.

Since then, life has looked very different. I’ve walked, visited and boarded some wonderful dogs (and a few more challenging ones), cared for cats, rabbits and guinea pigs, and discovered that no two days are ever the same.

Has it been easy? Definitely not. Like any new business, there have been challenges — recruitment setbacks, unexpected hurdles, and plenty of moments outside my comfort zone. But every difficult day has come with something special: spending time with animals.

It’s hard to stay stressed when you’re being greeted by a wagging tail or enjoying a cuddle with a furry client.

Coming from a corporate background, there’s been a steep learning curve. From social media and marketing to recruitment, operations and finance, I’ve gone from working in specialist teams to wearing multiple hats every day. It’s given me huge respect for all the people and departments I worked alongside throughout my career.

The biggest difference now is that I’m building something of my own. I’m growing a business, building a team, developing a client base, and learning constantly. Some days I’m working in the business, other days I’m working on it - and often both at once.

What has made the journey easier is knowing I’m not doing it alone. The support from Jo White, Ryan White and the wider We Love Pets network has been invaluable. There’s always someone to ask, someone who understands, and someone who has faced similar challenges before.

For me, success is about building something meaningful, growing as a person, and creating a future I genuinely enjoy.

I’ve learned that I’m not naturally entrepreneurial - but I’ve also learned that resilience, determination and a willingness to keep improving matter just as much. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow.

Would I recommend a mid-life career change? Absolutely.

If you have the opportunity to pursue something you genuinely care about, and you’ve done your research, don’t let fear stop you. Be brave enough to explore a different path.

Life is short. We only get one go - so why not spend it doing something you love?