Melkebeke Axel’s Post

A year ago today I was sat in the exact same chair as I am now, at Santander Work Cafe, Leeds with Sarah Glendenning-Laycock doing everything we could to save my business from going under. We had tried everything to make our events work and sadly the financial impact of COVID and the Cost of Living Crisis just hit my business hard. I had invested every single penny I had and took out personal loans to try make it work. And yet, none of it helped. Tomorrow will mark the day I officially 'gave up' on my 8 year business and had a mental breakdown. That lasted around a month until I got bored of myself and decided to kick myself up the backside and get a full time job. That 7 month bridge at Built Environment Networking Ltd helped a lot mentally (and financially) and made me realise something. That I cannot work for someone else. It had nothing to do with them as a company, I'm just not that person apparently. As it happened, it worked out well and I was let go just at the right time as I was planning to leave. Within a few days I had set up another business, already secured 1 long term contract at Investor Ladder and had an interview for another (which I secured). Now I am in talks with a few more potential clients. I'm also in discussion about potential investment into the business! To say in the last year I have gone from strength to strength would be a lie, I have had many ups and downs, however I'm stubborn and refused to give up. And now I'm sat here with a business set to turn over 6 figures in it's first year. I'm really proud of my journey actually, and thought I'd share my story in case anyone out there is in the same boat as I was last year. Trust me, it gets better, even if you can't see it. You'll hopefully learn, like I did, that wasn't the right path for you and that if you persist enough, you'll eventually find the right one. I know your energy is low/ gone completely, I fully get it! I'm always a DM (or a coffee) away if there is anyone who needs to vent, pick my brain, ask advice or just to get out the house. I know how lonely it can feel in that situation and I hate the idea anyone would have to go through what I did alone.

I had been with this ego that I am a finance professional myself and I delayed my joining in Masterclass till last day i.e today Today @ 4PM I enrolled myself and when class started I was thinking this Sharan Hegde is just trying to scam people and make money. Sat for first few minutes calculating how much Sharan Hegde must be making with this masterclass. But I must admit he enhanced and broadened my mind. He really creates Value. The Class changed many concepts that I had about assets,loans,insurance,gold etc. Really "Kya Phooke Aaya he be???" #insurance #people #money #finance

One has to make a living while in pursuit of entrepreneurial ambitions! Since 2019, I have been working with investment firms on an ad hoc basis on Re/Insurance buy side M&A. It started off pro bono and morphed into a fee for hire business. Have had the opportunity to see fair proportion of recent Re/Insurance market M&A deals. Have considered Insurtech's, Insurance Software, ILS Funds, Lloyd's of London, Reinsurance Sidecars, MGAs, Hybrid Carriers, Brokers, Aggregators and De Novo Reinsurers. Have a strong understanding of investor expectation and market valuations. Have worked for investment banks, venture capital and large private equity in an embedded role. In embedded, I mean that I typically assume a consulting role that is not arms length. I assist my clients and (1) sense checking the investment and (2) assist them in assessing advisory work conducted by other firms on their behalf. I assume the role of being the market expert. Finally and most importantly, I try to bring added value to the clients review process. When the consistent feedback has been that services provide were "invaluable", then you realise that you have found another skillset and a business. Is this what I want to do the rest of my career? Probably not would be the short answer. The inner belief is that there will be more career satisfaction from building my own business. That dream persists and more to come on that point in Q1 2024. In the meantime, Celsius Re is open for business an stand ready to support. I remain very bullish on most re/insurance market investment themes. Please do not hesitate to reach out.

Meet Aaron Long, Zest AI's Head of Client Advisory & Strategy! For winning big and bringing financial success to credit unions, look no further than Aaron AKA the ultimate people person! Here are five fun facts about Aaron! Learn about his early love of tech and the passions that drive him most today. 1. His love of technology started early “I’ve always been attracted to technology, I used to code on a Commodore 64 in the 80s. I used to be that kid that had an electronic toy and took it apart, unscrewing it trying to figure out, it’s always intrigued me.” As much as he loves the technical side of things, he also appreciates all technology can do for creativity. “I love the creativity of technology, especially during the early days when no one really knew where it was going, but there were infinite amounts of ways where it could go. Similarly now with AI, there are so many different ways where we can be creative with AI.” 2. He wants to make a difference through financial inclusion “I understand how important it is for people to have access to all types of money. I don’t care whether it’s the basic hardware of having an ATM that’s close by and convenient, to being able to pay a bill online, to being able to get approved for a loan.” “Now in my career, it’s about how can I bring in things that I’m passionate about and things that I’m serious about that will make a difference in the world.” 3. He is always on the move! Aaron pursues a number of hobbies that keep him active both physically and mentally no matter where he is in the world. “More and more I’m trying to get into hobbies. I received a camera as a gift from my partner so I’ve started taking up photography. When I travel I’ve tried to take photography tours that are guided.” “I like to exercise and I like to work out, it’s been a part of my lifestyle for as long as I can remember – I ran track in high school. Now I’m getting to the stage where I know I can’t run as much as I want, so now I’m looking into an E-bike. I’m getting excited about biking!” 4. As a leader, he finds success through connection “One of the benefits for me is that I found out what I wanted to do in my career early enough. I love working in front of customers. I love figuring out solutions and making that connection happen. And I love being able to work with and lead teams and to be that coach.” “I enjoy people so much, the folks that I work with I want them to be successful. I want my friends to win. I want my family to win. I want the people on my team to win. So I take that same passion on how will this person win, what do they need? Everybody’s path to winning looks different.” 5. His motto? “Have fun and do your best” Aaron stays motivated to bring his best self to the table, even on the weekends. "‘Have fun and do your best.’ In everything that we do, we should find some joy in it. Only you know what your best is, but I think we also should every day wake up and try to crush it…even on Saturdays!"

Every journey starts with the first step, which is always the most important. Start in the wrong direction, and it's a long way back. This is never truer than when you're choosing a vehicle. On average it's a choice you live with for several years, and it's a much more pleasant experience if you consider all the factors at the start. Get it wrong, and that's a decision which will haunt you. Assuming you're not a vehicle expert, you want someone with the knowledge, systems and expertise to help you weigh up all the factors and deliver the right vehicle. If you're reading this and thinking "I need that help" the first step is to call me, and let's take the journey together. T: 01744 359052 #listeninghelpingdelivering #ghlfinance