Our story so far
It was around this time last year that we started having conversations… could we combine our experience to make a bigger impact, could we juggle it with our parenting responsibilities, what would it look like, and, most importantly, what if we don’t do this?! Suffice to say, we didn’t let the imposter thoughts take over (of which there were many) and we decided to go all in. HCW Partners was created in October 2024, developing leaders and teams through training, consulting and coaching. It has been almost a year of the highest highs and of course a few lows. But that’s the reality of building a business.
As we reflect on our first year, the biggest highlight for us is working with our clients. Given the nature of what we do, we often work with people over a significant period of time and get to know each other well. It is always bittersweet as we reach the end of coaching or a development programme, but a joy to watch them continue to flourish in their roles and lives.
Alongside our clients, we’ve grown a network of amazing Associates who we collaborate with. Working alongside these experts in their field, we deepen the experience and expertise we bring to our clients.
And of course we have to mention Barcelona! We accepted an invite from the Scottish Chamber of Commerce to join a delegation showcasing female-led Scottish businesses in Spain. The trip was phenomenal, from the exceptional group of women championing their businesses, to the warm Catalonian welcome and inspiring examples of leadership in business and trade. It marked an important moment and encouraged us to make some bold decisions to evolve the direction of our business.
We are building our business as three working mums. We all have young kids and we are often ruled by school hours and childcare, so we work around that, and with each other. We don’t do 100 hour weeks like many founders do. We have learnt the hard way this isn’t the way to achieve our version of success.
Our work and life are integrated, the lines are blurry and we celebrate this, showing our kids what is possible when you have determination to make a difference, courage to back yourself and the support to make it happen. Of course we don't do all of this alone, we are deeply grateful to our families and partners for their support, which we’re learning not to resist, as well as shaking the belief that we need to try to do it all on our own! Perhaps this has been our biggest lesson so far – it's ok to ask for and accept offers of help, but it can feel uncomfortable when you’re working towards something others can’t yet see.
For many, this is reality… whether as a working parent, carer, leader, or anyone juggling multiple roles. We all have lives beyond work and, more and more, the lines blur between work and life; personal and professional development; and, increasingly, between real life and AI. We understand how significant this is, and it shapes the way we support and develop leaders and teams.
So with all that said, we have evolved our business and we are so excited to introduce our new, much more ‘us’ brand... The Blurred Line. We believe this more clearly represents the humanity of leadership and the experiences of our clients.
While our brand has evolved, our values stay consistent:
Courage to challenge norms, make bold decisions, and lead authentically.
Clarity to navigate complexity and see yourself, your impact and the path ahead more clearly.
Connection to self and others, to purpose, and to what matters most.
