What changed, in the words of the people we work with

It wasn't the work with clients that wore me out, it was what came after. In the evening I'd sit and collect from everyone what they'd done, who had come in, how much had been taken — half of it in a notebook, half in someone's head.

What I liked about them is that they didn't tell us how to work. They asked how we work and built around that. We didn't change any of our habits, the tiring part just disappeared.

I had one worry: that I'd lose control if I left things to a system. It's the exact opposite: now I see everything, up to date, without asking anyone, and anything important still goes through me.

I got rid of the work, not the control. And my evenings are mine again.

I've always worked from referrals. The problem started when people began looking me up on Google before calling, and found nothing there about the firm.

I didn't need systems or automations. I wanted the bare minimum: to show up when someone searches for me, and for them to find the firm's details — what services I offer, who I work for and how to contact me.

That's what I asked for, and that's what I got. Nobody tried to sell me more. The business details are all in one place, and the form comes straight to my email.

For me, that was enough. I paid once, for what I needed, with no subscription for something I don't use.