This week I launched Riche Business.

It was something I have always wanted to do, but never had the opportunity or the balls to do it.

Why you may ask?

Over the summer I suddenly became ill with a serious strand of viral pneumonia . This led to me being hospitalised with a partially collapsed lung.

During my recovery time, which was longer than expected, you start to think about what is really important in life?

Getting the balance right

The amount of time you spend at work. Was I doing something that I felt was bringing the best out of me?

Did I have the correct work / life balance and what was I missing out on?

All of these factors played a major part in my decision to pull up the big boy pants and go it alone.

In addition, the pandemic and furlough over the past 18 months had meant that I was having my weekends back.

The return of crowds to football this season meant I would have to work a lot of Saturdays. As much as I enjoyed my job and loved the club, this would mean missing a lot of precious time with my family and also coaching my son’s football team.

When I was sat in hospital I started to make a list of what I wanted to do work wise. A sort of spin-off bucket list!

Back when I was at University and in the early part of my working career I was a journalist and sports reporter. I loved doing this and my good friend Paul Smith had set up Lymm Radio a year ago. He had asked me numerous times to get involved and now seemed a perfect time.

I wanted to return to business development and coming up with strategies for people to open up new revenue streams.

Keeping in touch

But I also didn’t want to waste everything I have achieved so far throughout my career.

I have made many contacts who I am still in close contact with years later, because I have always worked honestly and given my all.

But in addition, there is so much out there to pursue.

So why not combine all of the above, put it in the mixing pot and launch Riche Business ?

Having the support of my wife Clare, and two young sons Harry and Teddy is vital and I’m keen to build something that one day they can take over.

I realise having my health is the most important thing, and having the correct work/life balance is so important.

But as my dad used to say, the most important thing is to be happy.