10 Years of Blue Gnu

The 23rd of December marks 10 years since Elaine Gosden started Blue Gnu. 

A decade of working with brilliant people, building the business from the ground up, and learning more than she ever expected.

Here are ten things Elaine has learned along the way (cos you know, if you can't do it on a ten year birthday, when can you?!):

THE LESSONS

1. Joy is non-negotiable

If I'm not feeling the joy in what we're doing, none of our other values are accessible. Joy isn't a luxury; it's the foundation of this business that makes everything else possible.

2. Abundance changes everything

There was a time when I used to operate from scarcity; there's only so much to go around. Shifting to an abundant mindset has transformed how I work. There really is enough for everyone. When I stopped worrying about 'what if' and started trusting that abundance creates more than it takes away, that's when Blue Gnu truly flourished.

3. Partnership is where the magic happens

I couldn't do this work alone and I genuinely wouldn't want to. The Blue Gnu team, our Partners, our tribe of associates, our clients - it's all about partnership. The work is infinitely better when we do it together.

4. Being a female-led business is tough

Let's be honest.  Most female led businesses in the UK fail in the first couple of years. There are challenges, biases and moments where you have to work twice as hard as men in the same position. But this also means I've built a business that reflects the values I actually believe in, not just the ones the world tells me I'm supposed to have.

5. Your reputation is your real marketing

Forget the funnels and the fancy campaigns. Business is about delivering amazing things for people who say your name and recommend you in rooms you're not in. That's the marketing that actually matters. And many of you do that for Blue Gnu - so thank you!

6. Community beats isolation every time

I worried about feeling isolated as a freelancer in the beginning. Instead, I've built a business on creating connections - through our practitioner community, our team, our clients - and this has been one of the most motivating and rewarding elements of Blue Gnu for me. 

7. Authenticity wins

People can tell when you're being genuine. Being myself, bringing my whole self to work (not in a toxic or forced way, but in a way that I feel comfortable), has built stronger relationships than any polished corporate persona ever could.  And I used to bleed blue from those corporate days!

8. You can't do it all

And you shouldn't try. Learning to let go, to trust others, to build a team that complements your skills and to delegate not just authority, but trust, that's been crucial. Blue Gnu has survived all these years because it's not just about me.  Get some help in your business with the tasks you don't need to do and you'll truly flourish!

9. The clients who get it are the ones worth having

Not every opportunity is the right opportunity. The clients who understand our values, who want to genuinely invest in their people - those are the partnerships that create real impact and create lasting change.  We're happy to say no to clients who don't share our values. That's been revolutionary.

10. Making a difference matters more than making money

Don't get me wrong, the business needs to be profitable. But our purpose is to make a difference - to people, to companies, to making work a better place to be more of the time; that's what gets me out of bed every morning. (Don't tell my finance manager! Ha ha!)

 LOOKING AHEAD

10 years in and I'm grateful for every client who's trusted us, every person we've met along the way, and every member of our team who brings their brilliance to work daily.

Here's to the next chapter of transforming leaders, inspiring teams, and making work a better place to be.