220: Turning the Tables - A Conversation About Ambition, Legacy and ‘Too Much’ with Sharath Jeevan

In this week's episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, we're doing something a bit different! My guest Sharath Jeevan, Founder of The Generational Success Lab at Oxford’s Said Business School, is interviewing me as we approach the one-year anniversary of my book ‘Too Much’.

If you've ever felt like your ambition was ‘too much’ for the world around you, or if you left corporate because you needed a bigger playing field to run on, this conversation is for you. Sharath and I explore how I went from a rebellious teenager who wanted to be a rock star to building a seven-figure consulting business that finally gives me the container I need. 

We talk about the corporate exit, the early days of celebrating £3,000 months, and what it really takes to build a business around your zone of genius rather than what you think you're ‘supposed’ to do. 

This is a candid conversation about legacy, ambition and what happens when you finally stop trying to fit into someone else's version of success.

In This Episode: 

[00:01:33] How Jessica's early ambition and ‘too much-ness’ shaped her path - and why entrepreneurship became the only container that could hold her

[00:05:16] The violin, physics homework, and parental expectations: navigating the gap between what your family wanted and who you actually are

[00:10:22] The corporate years at Sony and the moment Jessica realized she'd rather be made redundant than stay - and what came next

[00:17:50] Building a £3,000/month business from the attic and how Jessica's husband became her biggest supporter

[00:22:49] The pivot moment: when Jessica stopped trying to ‘follow the business plan’ and started listening to what clients actually needed

[00:27:14] Getting past comparisonitis and imposter syndrome and why one client sale fixes most business problems

[00:29:34] Reflecting on the book ‘Too Much’, writing as legacy work, and what's next

Key Takeaways: 

• Entrepreneurship was the only container big enough: If you've always felt restless in corporate, it's not because you're broken. You just need a playing field where you can run as fast as you want without hitting a ceiling.
• The power of low-volume, high-ticket consulting: One client sale can fix most business problems. Five clients can fix almost everything. This is why we build businesses where you're not making 500 sales just to stay afloat.
• Your ambition isn't the problem. The context is: Jessica spent years being told she was ‘too much’. The breakthrough came when she stopped trying to fit into someone else's version of success and built a business aligned with her actual genius.

Quotes: 

"Entrepreneurship has been the only thing that I found, the only container that can actually hold me, that doesn't make me feel kind of trapped or restricted and gives me a big playing field where I can run as fast as I want." - Jessica Fearnley

"I always try and go with the path of least resistance, keeping the bar as low as it can possibly be, because then it's like, I may as well have a go. And you know, more often than not it goes well and it works." - Jessica Fearnley

"I'm really passionate about how we can be intentional about our legacy. You've done that very consciously and deliberately, and I'm very passionate about how we can all try and find that whatever way makes sense for us in our lives as well." - Sharath Jeevan

Useful Links

Sharath:

Follow Sharath on LinkedIn

Sharath’s Website: intrinsic-labs.com

Episode 112: Encouraging Yourself to Make a Bigger Impact with Sharath Jeevan

Jessica:

Buy Jessica’s book, Too Much, on Amazon

Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business

Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn

Guest Bio

Sharath is focused on helping Leaders across sectors futureproof success and build intentional legacy, with clients ranging from L’Oreal to the Barbican to the NHS. He’s established the Generational Success Lab at Oxford University’s Said Business School, where he’s exploring how generations can collaborate better to shape a better world. He’s the author of two acclaimed leadership books, “Intrinsic” and “Inflection”. Sharath is exploring the questions of generational transition through a forthcoming novel and comedy show.