Time Flies and Change Happens: Reflections on Quarter One at Opendoorz

Well, they do say time flies when you’re having fun, and I honestly can’t quite believe how quickly the past three months have disappeared since the changes within Opendoorz. It’s been a whirlwind, to say the least, and not without its challenges, but what a learning curve it has been.

I’ll admit, after 14 years when the dynamic shifts, it’s natural to feel a sense of unease, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t take me a while to find my footing. The start of the year also brought with it some unresolved issues from 2024 and tackling those felt daunting.

That said, Kate and Caroline have been nothing short of a breath of fresh air. Their drive, energy, and unwavering commitment to our shared goals have reinvigorated the office atmosphere in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. The positivity is palpable, and we’ve hit the ground running with a determination that is both inspiring and contagious.

There’s a saying that three’s a crowd, but in my case, moving from one business partner to two has brought a new layer of structure and professionalism to how we operate. Each of us has clearly defined roles and objectives, ensuring no duplication of efforts and enabling us to focus on our individual strengths. The addition of more minds in the mix has sparked creativity and innovation, and we’re learning how to navigate discussions so that everyone’s voice is heard. Operating as a consultative team has brought real accountability to our decisions, and our monthly board meetings ensure we’re consistently checking in, staying on track, and delivering on our promises.

The changes we’ve implemented in these first three months have been transformative. Those changes include a new website, 2 new Associate Directors, a new look quarterly newsletter (do share your thoughts) plus we’re bringing back the VIP Club, and the results are speaking for themselves. There’s a sense that things are moving forward in a way they haven’t before—our aspirations are bigger, our commitment to growth is stronger, and the future of Opendoorz feels more compelling than ever.

On a personal level, these experiences have brought invaluable lessons that I’d like to share:

• Don’t fear change—it’s an opportunity to embrace growth and uncover positives you might not have seen.
• Believe in the power of others to outperform you. Empower, encourage, and support your team to achieve great things.
• Age is just a number…embracing fresh perspectives and younger partners is a step towards future-proofing your business—even if it occasionally makes you feel prehistoric!
• Passion isn’t exclusive others can be just as invested in your creation because it represents their future too.
• Good things come to an end for a reason. Open your mind, heart, and gut to what lies ahead, and savour the journey.

Change might be daunting, but it’s also exhilarating, and we’re not done yet. Quarter 2 we’ll be focussed on supporting our brilliant team of ADs to help you continue to grow and thrive in your membership. With a raft of full April guest events, we are most definitely in demand and that can only mean lots of new connections, opportunities, and hopefully some more wonderful members.