The “Decisions That Change Everything” are rarely the easiest ones. They are often made during moments of pressure, uncertainty, or when the path forward is anything but clear. This week, Braeburn Care’s CEO, Harriet Smith, joined a panel at Make It Your Business in Tunbridge Wells, hosted by Debbie Waite, to discuss exactly that – the decisions that shape businesses, careers, and lives. For Harriet, this isn’t a theoretical conversation. It’s lived experience.
Building a Business Through Challenge
Braeburn Care’s journey has not been linear. Like many businesses in the health and social care sector, it has faced its share of challenges – from navigating a global pandemic, to rebuilding momentum, to establishing a strong presence in a competitive, highly regulated industry.
Each stage has required decisions that carried weight. Not just commercially, but personally. Because when you lead a care business, the impact of your decisions goes far beyond the business itself – it affects families, individuals, and the quality of care delivered every single day. That responsibility sharpens decision-making.
The Reality of Leadership in Today’s World
The theme of the event – “Decisions That Change Everything” – is particularly relevant for women in business today. Leadership is no longer just about growth. It’s about balance, resilience, and navigating constant change.
For Harriet, this has meant learning how to:
- Make decisions without perfect information
- Stay focused during periods of uncertainty
- Build a team aligned with values and standards
- Balance business growth with personal responsibilities
There is no single formula. Instead, leadership becomes a continuous process of learning, adapting, and refining.
Learning Through the Highs and the Lows
One of the most powerful aspects of Harriet’s story is her openness. At this event, she shared not just the successes, but the setbacks. Because the reality is, the most valuable lessons often come from the more difficult moments. Challenges force clarity. They highlight what works – and what doesn’t. They build resilience, strengthen decision-making, and ultimately shape the direction of the business.
At Braeburn Care, these lessons have directly influenced how the business operates today:
- A strong focus on quality over volume
- A commitment to building a values-led team
- A clear emphasis on delivering consistent, reliable care
- A long-term approach to sustainable growth
These aren’t just strategic decisions. They are the result of experience.
Why These Conversations Matter
Events like Make It Your Business create space for honest conversations. Not polished success stories – but real journeys. For many women in business, particularly those balancing multiple responsibilities, it can often feel like you are navigating challenges alone.
Hearing others speak openly about their experiences can provide:
- Reassurance
- Perspective
- Practical insight
- Confidence to make your own decisions
Because while every journey is different, many of the challenges are shared.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Braeburn Care
As Braeburn Care continues to grow, the focus remains clear. The future is not about rapid expansion for the sake of it.
It is about building a business that delivers:
- Exceptional, consistent home care and live-in care services throughout West Kent
- Strong relationships with families
- A supportive and empowered team
- Long-term, sustainable growth
Every decision moving forward is aligned with this vision. Because in care, growth without quality is not an option.
The “Decisions That Change Everything” are rarely obvious in the moment. They often feel uncertain, uncomfortable, and at times, overwhelming. But they are also the decisions that define your path.
For Harriet, and for Braeburn Care, those decisions have shaped not just a business – but a service that supports individuals and families at some of the most important moments in their lives. And that is what makes them matter.
