The first five years of building my business have been some of the most challenging, demanding, and defining years of my life. Starting from scratch is never easy, but launching a new business and trying to establish myself as a writer during the COVID-19 pandemic presented obstacles I could never have anticipated. Like so many small businesses, I faced uncertainty, disruption, and an ever-changing landscape while trying to build something meaningful.

The journey came at a significant personal cost. More than ten years of relentless work eventually led to severe mental and physical burnout, leaving me exhausted and struggling to keep pace with the demands of running a business. During this period, I also developed deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious reminder of the toll that prolonged stress, long hours, and neglecting my own wellbeing had taken. As a result, many aspects of the business and its promotion inevitably fell behind schedule.

Making a living as a writer is an intensely competitive pursuit. Success requires not only producing quality work but also constantly promoting it, building relationships, and finding ways to stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Behind every book, article, or project lies countless unseen hours of research, writing, administration, marketing, and persistence.

For much of those five years, my life revolved almost entirely around my office. Long days became long nights, weekends disappeared, and opportunities to socialise were few and far between. While the sacrifices were considerable, they were made in pursuit of a dream I believed was worth fighting for.

Despite the setbacks, I have never been alone on this journey. I am deeply grateful for the incredible encouragement, assistance, and promotional support I have received from the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Air Force. Their willingness to support my work has been both humbling and inspiring, and their belief in what I am trying to achieve has helped me continue moving forward during some of the most difficult periods.

Although the road has been far from straightforward, these experiences have strengthened my determination. Every challenge, setback, and hard-earned lesson has become part of the story—not just of building a business, but of resilience, perseverance, and refusing to give up. As I look ahead, I do so with renewed appreciation for those who have supported me and with the hope that the foundations laid during those difficult first five years will lead to an even brighter future.