Riz Gutierrez

What I Found After Corporate

19 Aug 2025

Business mentor guiding a young entrepreneur using a tablet — teamwork for meaningful business growth.

Meaningful business growth wasn’t what I set out to find when I left corporate — but it’s what I discovered.

I didn’t leave corporate with a grand plan or a bold declaration. I left because that chapter came to a close. And like many people, I stepped into the unknown without clear direction — only space.

At first, I didn’t know what would come next.

I just knew I needed something that felt real.

And in that space, I began asking myself better questions:

  • Who am I outside of my job title?
  • What kind of work actually means something to me?
  • Who do I want to build that work with?

What followed wasn’t immediate clarity — but a gradual unfolding. And it led me here, to a way of working that’s built on meaningful business growth.


Corporate Was Big — But Disconnected

I spent over a decade in corporate financial services, working with large clients and managing portfolios worth millions — sometimes even billions — of euros.

It was fast-paced, technical, and efficient. On paper, it looked like success.

But something was missing.

The systems were excellent, but the connection was absent. Clients were rarely visible, and the impact was hard to feel.

I spent long hours in spreadsheets, reviewing data, creating reports — but it started to feel like I was going through the motions. Over time, I felt more like a function than a person.

What I didn’t realise at the time was that I had outgrown that way of working. Not because the work was wrong, but because it no longer reflected who I was becoming — or the kind of meaningful business growth I wanted to be part of.


Small Business Work Feels Different — Because It Is

Everything changed when I started working with small and medium-sized business owners.

The scale was smaller. The spreadsheets were simpler.

But the relationships? So much deeper.

No longer was I just preparing reports — I was having real conversations.

I was trusted not only with someone’s finances, but the story behind them: their priorities, their goals, and their pressures.

There’s a different kind of weight when a business owner invites you into that space. It’s not just numbers. It’s their livelihood, their vision, and their life.

That’s why meaningful business growth matters — because it’s not just about the bottom line. It’s about building something aligned with values and relationships.


The Internal Shift That Made Growth More Meaningful

This journey didn’t just change how I work with clients — it changed how I work, full stop.

The people I work with aren’t here just to meet deadlines.

We share clarity, respect, and rhythm. There’s structure, yes — but also flexibility.

We collaborate with healthy boundaries and open communication.

We look after each other, and we look for what works — not just what’s expected.

This approach has created a healthy business culture — one built on purpose, not pressure. It’s the foundation of meaningful business growth.


Growth Matters — But Not at the Cost of Meaning

Let me be honest: I haven’t turned my back on growth.

I want this business to thrive. I hope to support bigger clients over time — and yes, maybe manage millions again one day.

But this time, I want to build with intention.

I want scale and substance.

I want success — but not at the expense of meaning.

Because I now know that growth without alignment doesn’t feel like success. And numbers without connection don’t tell the full story.

To me, meaningful business growth is where impact, trust, and results meet.


💬 If You’re a Small or Medium Business Owner Looking for a Financial Partner Who Gets It…

I’m not here just to tick boxes or file returns.

I’m here to bring structure, clarity, and calm to your business finances — in a way that aligns with how you work, what you value, and where you want to go.

If you’re looking for support that’s thoughtful, professional, and grounded in trust — let’s talk about how we can create meaningful business growth for your business.

P.S. Ready to take the next step? 👉 Book a clarity call / Get in touch here


Please Note

I am not a tax advisor or auditor — my role is to support you with clear systems, practical guidance, and reliable professional care, so your path to meaningful business growth stays steady and sustainable.

For official guidance on tax, company filings, and compliance, you can refer to:

Article by Riz Gutierrez

Founder | Accountant