A year on....

If on my first day in the rail industry in 2001, I was told that in 20 years time I would be a Chartered Principal Engineer, winner of some national rail awards, having over 4,000 followers globally, my own personal brand and the owner of my own railway design company, then I would say this would be nothing short of a miracle and a blessing.🤲🏽🙏🏼🏆🏆👥

A year on from the time I decided to form my own company ASAVRAIL , making the dream become a reality, I can really say it has been such an amazing journey full of learning new skills and gaining very interesting experience.😊💭

Over the last 22 or more years I have spent over 90% of my career working in staff roles, which has been a great experience where I have learnt so much in my allocated roles. I have met some great people who are either good friends or great connections. I have always had the drive and passion to go above and beyond my allocated roles to make that little extra difference in achieving the common goal we all aim for. So many people have encouraged me to set up my own company over the years, but at the time I did not think I was ready for it or I thought it just may not be for me.🤔⁉

Being the owner of a company comes with lots of responsibilities, lots of plate spinning and you have to wear different hats too. What this means is you are no longer just an engineer or whatever your professional role has been. You are now responsible for the setting up of documentation, finances, processes/policies, branding, marketing and much more in addition to your usual profession.🍽🧢⛑🎩👒

Although, I have been fortunate to take on multiple roles in my professional life, it is now at a totally different level as the owner of a company. ⬆⏫

I can be the Technical Director/Professional Head one day to review designs, assurance and compliance, on another day I could be an Accountant or Finance Manager issuing invoices and reviewing the accounts and tax returns. Some days I may be the Business Development Manager or Bid Director filling out PQQs or building relations with new and existing clients, on some days I could be a Marketing Manager or Graphic Designer coming up with new social media posts or advertising. The roles are endless and it does not stop between 5pm and 9am. The brain is continuously working around the clock with new ideas and strategies to successfully deliver a good service and build a great reputation. Some days can be tiring and you need to be in control of your mind, so you know when you must switch off when it becomes an overload on the brain. But having that belief that hard work will always be rewarded is what keeps me going. The trajectory is never a straight line, it has its ups and downs, but you must take the challenges as fuel for your ambition. 📉📈📝📑📰📚📖🔎🔩⚙⚖😴😶🌫😔

Remember, throughout different seasons the environment changes. During the autumn the leaves will fall, the trees become bare in the winter, but then later in the spring, the trees and plants start to blossom and bloom like they were never bare. During the winter months the trees and plants strengthen their roots. So we must take lessons from nature that yes leaves will fall and this is the time you have to strengthen your roots. Let the leaves fall and just take advantage of that.

"So, surely with hardship comes ease” (Quran 94:5)🍁🍂🍃🪴🌿⚘🌳🌻☀👍🏼

It has been a brilliant journey so far and I look forward to what's to come in the near future.💯 Of course, it would not be possible without support and encouragement from my family and some key people in my life.

Thank you to all my well wishers and those who follow my journey. ❤💙

If you believe, then it will happen. So keep believing and putting in the hard work, it will surely pay off in good time.👊🏽👏🏽

I hope I can inspire many or make a positive difference to your life or career.

Please visit www.asavrail.com for more information on our services.

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