Twenty years of wins, wobbles, and more hairstyles than I care to remember
Recently, I received so many lovely messages congratulating me on 20 years of ‘going it alone’.
Twenty years ago, after a career in hospitality that eventually led me into revenue management, I took the leap and set myself up as a freelance consultant.
What that gave me was a front-row seat to the challenges independent hotels were facing every day — and a growing belief that they deserved to operate on a level playing field.
That belief, and those early years of seeing the problems up close, ultimately led to the birth of Right Revenue.
So, as I look back over the last 20 years - the wins, the wobbles, the lessons and more hairstyles than I care to remember (photographic evidence attached!), here are 20 things I’ve learned along the way.
1. Start with a problem worth solving
The best ideas often begin with a frustration you simply can’t ignore. For me, it was seeing independent hotels being consistently disadvantaged and an absolute unshakeable belief that these hotels (the cornerstone of our industry) had the right to operate on a level playing field
2. One person’s belief can change everything
Sometimes all it takes is one person seeing your vision before you fully see it yourself. That belief can give you the confidence to take the next step. For this I thank Gary McCausland, of Invest NI. My work husband... I miss you every single day.
3. Meaningful things take time
Trust, reputation and expertise are built steadily over years, not overnight. The most valuable things in business are rarely the quickest to achieve. Choose your team and your partners wisely - the people who want to come on this journey with you.
4. Trust must be earned
In hospitality especially, credibility comes from consistency, transparency and delivering results. You cannot assume trust - you have to work for it every day.
5. Partnerships outperform transactions
The best work happens when you are seen as an extension of the team, not just another supplier. True collaboration always delivers better outcomes, deeper relationships and real trust.
6. Technology should support judgement, not replace it
Great technology empowers people to make better decisions with confidence. It should strengthen expertise, not replace it.
Gary McCausland of Invest NI, to whom I will be eternally grateful for giving me the confidence to set up Right Revenue.
7. Data only matters if it leads to action
Access to information means very little unless it drives smarter decisions. Insight without action is just noise.
8. Resilience is built in the hard moments
The toughest periods often teach you the lessons that shape the future. Growth rarely comes from the easy days. I say it proudly: 'Put your big girl pants on every day and just deal with it'
9. It is never too late to build something
Starting a tech business in my 40s was daunting, but also one of the most rewarding decisions I ever made. Experience and perspective can be a real advantage.
10. A great team changes everything
No meaningful business is ever built alone. The people around you are often the reason you keep going through the tougher days. I am lucky enough to surround myself with people who are better than me and whose opinion I value. That is where the real progress is made.
11. Listening is a commercial skill
The best solutions come from understanding context before jumping to answers. Listening properly and acting wisely is often where the real opportunity lies.
12. Relationships matter most
Looking back (and looking forward), it is the people and partnerships that make me most proud. Knowing you have played even a small role in someone else’s success means everything.
13. Honesty and authenticity are not weaknesses
I have never been the type of person to bullsh*t my way through life but I often felt that my honesty was seen as a weakness. Now I know that it is my superpower.
14. Stay curious
Industry evolves, life evolves, people evolve, their needs evolve. You need to stay curious to stay ahead of the curve
Right Revenue 2026
15. Stay true to your beliefs
I have had times where I questioned the direction we are going and felt the pressure that perhaps we should be doing some of the things our competitors are doing, even though I don't believe they are doing the right thing. Should I jump on the bandwagon because someone else is shouting that it’s the right thing to do? Always the answer is 'no'. I do best when I trust and stick to my core beliefs.
16. Culture starts from day one
In the early days of Right Revenue and when starting to build a team, I often heard 'you need to get your culture right' and honestly I never knew what that meant. Now I know. Your culture and company ethos is simple - it is how you speak to your team and how you speak to your customers. If you are authentic in everything you do, that builds a culture that no one else can replicate.
17. Not every opportunity is the right opportunity
Saying yes can be exciting, but saying no (occasionally) is often where real focus comes from. Protecting your time and energy is critical to building something meaningful so you can focus on what matters most to the partners you have today and the ones you hope to have tomorrow.
18. Never, ever let your team down
If there are difficult conversations to be had, be there by their side. Your people are your most valuable asset.
19. The next chapter is often the most exciting
Even after all these years, I still believe the best is yet to come. The most exciting part of any journey is often what comes next.
20. Any money spent on bacon sandwiches for the team is money well spent.
Let's be honest... they solve every problem (sorry vegetarians!)
To everyone who has been part of this journey so far - THANK YOU! 🙏 I have a feeling the next chapter will be every bit as interesting.
