This month we chat to Shelby Fields, whose varied career has seen her move between different sectors, work models, and continents. She’s led teams, managed projects, and built operations in everything from humanitarian charities and Big Four consulting, to creative start-ups and small wellness businesses. She now heads the Data and Tech function at a research and development funding agency. At the start of her career shift journey, Shelby thought she needed a big career change. However, through coaching, it became apparent that what she really wanted to do was to take her current skillset into more fulfilling environments related to her interests. In order to do this, Shelby needed to get more comfortable with uncertainty to allow her to experiment with freelance work and moving to the US. We hear about the importance of connections in making things happen, and how it’s OK not to know your next move.

It’s a great pleasure to hear from Hannah Gregory this month. Hannah began her career working at a fashion magazine publisher in their advertising sales team. She then moved to a business and finance newspaper to work in their brand partnerships team. 3 years ago, Hannah made the jump out of the corporate publishing world, joining a start-up (dedicated to empowering women, businesses, and female entrepreneurs) as their Strategic Partnerships Director. She kindly speaks to us 8 months into her maternity leave.Hannah discusses how coaching helped her understand what the key priorities were for her when considering a change in career. It became apparent that her goal to start her own fashion business might need to wait - sometimes it’s just a matter of timing. In the meantime, Hannah found a way to have purpose, autonomy, and creativity in her career by working for a company she really believes in, in a role where she can see the real difference it makes for female founders. Hannah’s story is a great example of how a shift in career doesn’t always have to be huge to feel meaningful. Sometimes it’s simply a change of industry or skill set that’s needed.

This month’s episode is with Nick Armstrong, career changer and founder of Avint-Garde Fine Wine — an online wine merchant harnessing technology to deliver value on world-class wines. Nick’s journey to the wine industry is a remarkable one. After graduating from university, he served as a captain in the U.S. Army before earning his MBA. He then embarked on a career in finance, joining a global investment bank. Most recently, Nick spearheaded business development across the Americas for the world’s foremost wine trading platform — an experience that positioned him perfectly to launch his own wine venture earlier this year.From Nick, we learn the power and importance of networking when it comes to learning about a new industry and creating new opportunities. He advocates for having a plan before quitting a job, even if it’s just a short term one detailing those first few steps. With family life an important priority, Nick is now at a point in his career where mornings with his two children are far less stressful, thanks to running his own business. Although, as most founders can relate to, it can be hard to switch off when it’s your own thing.