Our American adventure – A moment of quiet reflection (by Nicola Moore-Miller)
This week marks two years since myself and two UK Jayva team members headed to Boston to find our first US office space, start recruiting and get certified to deliver implementation consultancy for LEAP US.
This photo has just popped up on my timeline and it made me stop and reflect about the many experiences we have had during that time. This day had huge symbolic meaning within our team. It was a celebratory meal at the beautiful Del Frisco’s overlooking Boston Harbor.
While this was our first time in Boston, we had spent the previous three months in New York and New Jersey. We had been tirelessly working to ensure we had everything in place for our July 1st launch date. We embarked on our US adventure with mostly hope and determination that we could make a success of this new venture. It was a huge risk; we were spending money like it was going out of fashion and there were still so many unknowns at that point. One thing I will say is that America is WAY more expensive than England. When budgeting, if you think of a number, triple it and you will be nearer the mark.
Blood, sweat and tears were plentiful in those three months as we were faced with many different challenges and emotions, so reaching that point where we could tick off some key milestones was immense for us. Little did we know that it would be another two years of sheer determination, intense hard work and dedication before we could confidently say it was worth it. This week, we reached that point. It was an exciting and emotional moment for us all.
There are so many considerations when launching a new company, especially when it is in a different country. The similarities between the US and UK certainly lulled us into a false sense of security initially. You would think the processes, culture and language are very similar. Partially true perhaps, but there are unique variations, and these only became apparent as we navigated through these unchartered waters.
Only this week, two years on, have I felt able to find both the time and the headspace to reflect on the highs and lows of Jayva’s journey. At last, I am able to identify the single biggest factor that has had the most impact on that process.
In retrospect, there are probably many things I would have done differently, but honestly, I am intensely proud and grateful for what we have achieved. The trials and tribulations along the way have taught us so much, and I believe we are stronger for having experienced them. Now, having just turned a huge corner financially and operationally I can wholeheartedly say that the relationships we share are the reason for our success. Without these, we wouldn’t even have been given this opportunity. However, that was only the first step in this very exciting adventure.
These relationships have made the difference between success and failure many times over. The relationships with our partners at LEAP, our immigration and business attorneys, our accountant and our associates, but fundamentally the relationships within our team. We have been incredibly blessed, and to be honest, lucky, to find such amazing individuals who make up our network in the US.
When you can’t be somewhere yourself 24/7/365, and you have invested your heart and soul into building something, what you need more than anything is a team. Most importantly, a team you can trust in every scenario to make the right decisions. Loyalty, integrity, grit, determination, flexibility and team spirit have been shown in abundance. Personally, I believe in fate.
I definitely think that fate had an important part to play here. Low and behold, when we were offered the opportunity to come to the US a close friend and ex-colleague based in the US was looking for a new opportunity just at the time we started our US company. Having worked with Nic now for 20 years in three separate companies in our careers, there was no doubt in my mind that her loyalty and experience would be critical to the success of building the team and our processes out there.
The next big “LEAP” if you excuse the pun, was venturing into the world of recruitment in the US. I have been fortunate enough in my career to be able to build the team, from colleagues and associates who I have worked with previously, who I know I share common values with and I know the quality of their work fits with the Jayva ethos. This wasn’t going to be possible in the US, so that caused some fairly substantial anxiety.
To my absolute delight, after a few average Zoom interviews, I connected with Matt Dagle. Literally, within 30 seconds, I knew we had found a perfect fit. I can’t explain it but there was just an immediate deep level of understanding and mutual respect. His down-to-earth, personable approach combined with his immense knowledge as a paralegal and final year law student were exactly what we needed. The dynamic duo of Nic and Matt, supplemented by me and support from Sue and Kim from the UK team, achieved so much in those early days when money was exceptionally tight and people resources even tighter.
A few months later, Rob Bailey joined our team. A business owner himself who has vast experience in courtroom technology in large US litigation cases. He brought with him a depth of experience of the market that added a whole new dimension to the team. Our recruitment journey continues and we now have a team of 12 across the UK and US. Each team members’ individual and collective contribution has been astounding. Our latest recruit, Chris Nelson, a qualified attorney, brings vast knowledge of real estate, litigation and family law as well as running his own small business.
Each person has taken on more than any job description could prepare them for. Their flexibility, willingness and adaptability have been fundamental to the operations. They are the reason we are now entering an even more exciting stage with growth opportunities beyond what any of us could ever have dreamed of.
We aren’t the sort of company to “overshare” on our business social media platforms, we very much believe that you should be judged on the quality of your work and your people, not by continuous self- promotion. Yet here I am, looking back in awe, inspired by all the hard work over these last two years. This journey is one that has made me think about the many #hashtags we could have used along the way – #Collaboration #Relationships #Determintation #Commitment #Loyalty #Flexibility #Hardwork #Opportunity #Trust #Respect #Knowledge #Success #Adventure #Risk #Reward #Teamwork – they are endless.
Working dual time zones, cashflow management, cultural differences, differing legal obligations, immigration and resource management have been some of the most significant challenges along the way. For me personally, still delivering training and day-to-day services while managing three businesses and, more recently, homeschooling two children have proved to be overwhelming at times. Having caught my breath for what seems like the first time in ages, I am looking back and saying “it was worth it”. I appreciate what has been achieved and look forward with excitement about our future.
There are so many “thank yous” to be said and I would like to think I have thanked people throughout the journey. At this point of reflection, here are some specific very big “thank yous” to the people external to our business who have continuously supported us in the US, without hesitation: Richard Hugo-Hamman, Peter Baverstock, Chris Stock, Kelly Clifford, Catherine Wainright, Poppy Bale, Ramsey Cabbani, Sy Sommer, Scott Malyk, Bill Fiore and Nancy De Cicco.
The new partnerships, products, services and relationships we have developed have reached an all-time high. Even despite the current sadness and uncertainty which COVID-19 has brought on the world, I feel we can be quietly confident about the opportunities and adventures which lie ahead.
