I was born in London, but I’ve lived and run my business in Liverpool for almost 30 years now.

One lesson stands above the rest:

In this city, your network is your net self-worth.

Not so much your bank balance. Not your job title. But who knows you, who trusts you, and who’s willing to say your name in a room you’re not in.

In London, I was used to worth being measured only in scale — revenue, headcount, how fast you could grow.

Here, it’s measured in relationships. Who vouches for you. Who picks up the phone. Who remembers you when it matters.

That shift changed how I run my business:

I stopped chasing cold leads and started showing up in person. A introduction from someone trusted here is worth its wait in gold.

I learned that reputation compounds. One good turn for a supplier, a fellow founder, a member of staff — it comes back around, often when you least expect it.

I realised community isn’t a nice-to-have here. It’s the infrastructure everything else is built on.

Approaching 30 years in, I measure my success in Liverpool by who I could call tomorrow and know they’d answer. And that’s whether my need was professional or personal.

That’s net self-worth. And it’s the best investment I’ve made since moving here.

Eternally grateful to call this city home.

This post was inspired by Suzi, one of the queens of An Hour for Others, pictured here with young Max who’s been a volunteer with the charity forever!

Spent a precious hour with them this morning.

I walked away with a big smile on my face, witnessing Community in its finest form, given the brilliant support they provide to so many people in this city.

Thank you Gillian Watkins & Kevin Morland for creating such a beautiful charity in the first place and driving it forward these last 12 years, with a great team around you.