Two seasoned professionals have channelled the transformative experience of midlife into a powerful new business venture, declaring that being women over 45 is their ultimate professional advantage.
From Corporate Fog to Entrepreneurial Clarity
Alison Holliday, 50, and Charlie Lycett-Smith, 46, spent decades holding senior roles in the digital agency world, as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer respectively. After years of navigating corporate structures, they describe reaching a pivotal moment of self-permission. "At some point you stop waiting for permission and do it for yourself," Holliday stated. "Time is finite. Men often have the sports car moment. Women of our generation are choosing a different kind of shift."
For Lycett-Smith, the period post-menopause brought a profound change in perspective and confidence. "I'm a completely different person now than I was five years ago," she explained. "Even in terms of where I will stand my ground and where I won't. And to be honest, I don't think there is anywhere I wouldn't stand my ground anymore." This newfound clarity cut through what they term the "fog of midlife," leading directly to the creation of their company.
North & Nest: A Plug-and-Play Solution for SMEs
Their venture, North & Nest, is designed as an outsourced solution for service-led businesses, particularly in the digital and creative sectors. It offers top-tier operational and financial expertise without the need for a full-time, in-house Financial Director or Operations Director.
The partners believe their lived experience as women provides a critical lens often missing in business. "What I’ve seen is a difference in how women tend to read the room, spotting patterns, joining the dots and juggling competing priorities," Holliday noted. She argues that since most agencies have historically been led by men, "bringing a different lens is overdue."
They credit navigating workplace challenges, including menopause, with building a unique form of resilience. Lycett-Smith added that the timing finally felt right. "The kids are older, the timing’s right and I’m ready to take a bit of a risk. The imposter syndrome has gone and I’ve stopped deferring to people who aren’t better than me."
Backed by Experience and a Proven Track Record
The duo honed their skills over fifteen years working alongside James Moffat, Founder of Organic. Moffat offered a strong endorsement: "Ali and Charlie have been the backbone of the business throughout. They carry a level of operational and financial discipline that has allowed the rest of us to push creative thinking further." He specifically praised their resilience and ability to balance work and family while "spotting problems early, cutting through noise and simply getting things done."
North & Nest aims to help digital-first, performance-led businesses that have sound creative ideas but lack robust financial or operational strategy. "You’d be surprised how many teams don’t have a clear view of their numbers," Holliday observed. Their role is to bring clarity, interpret what the figures truly indicate, and help chart a strategic course for the year ahead.
By building North & Nest, Holliday and Lycett-Smith are putting their extensive experience front and centre, demonstrating that for women in midlife, profound personal change can be the catalyst for exceptional professional growth.
