We did it!
Black Sands Consulting was the result of a massive leap of faith. We quit our jobs with no solid plan—just a shared Google Doc and a sprinkle of optimism.
We built this business from scratch, completely winging it as we went—juggling constant policy changes, a boatload of admin, anxiety levels that could’ve powered a small city, and trying to make time for our families.
To say this past year has been a rollercoaster doesn’t quite cut it. Jamee and I told ourselves we’d take it slow, see what happens, and get new jobs if it didn’t work out. Well—it hasn’t exactly been slow. In fact, it’s been the complete opposite.
Starting out as just the two of us (plus our families by default) was equal parts terrifying, exciting, and slightly chaotic. But we pulled through—with grit, late nights, too many spreadsheets and to-do lists, some tears (okay, a lot of tears), and countless cups of oat and almond lattes.
I don’t want to make this post too long, but at the heart of it all, what I really want to say is thank you.
On paper, it’s just Jamee and me—but the truth is, Black Sands Consulting is made up of every single one of you who’s shown up, supported us, believed in us, and helped us grow. This milestone belongs to all of us.
To our clients—thank you for trusting us. You are the reason we’re here today. It’s been an absolute privilege to assist you—whether it was helping you take the first steps toward building a new life in New Zealand, or supporting you in retaining the incredible talent you need to grow your business. Your journeys have inspired us, challenged us, and reminded us why we do what we do.
To the amazing professionals who’ve supported us behind the scenes—our accountant, our lawyer, and everyone who’s helped us navigate the wild world of self-employment—thank you for keeping us on track, out of trouble, and mostly sane.
To our friends and family—thank you for your unwavering support, your referrals, and your endless patience. You’ve truly rallied behind us this past year, and we are so, so grateful. Special shoutout to our family members who’ve been roped into everything from admin, social media, and photoshoots to building furniture and helping at events.
…and to Jamee—the yin to my yang, a superstar immigration adviser, and the dream supervisor every newly licensed immigration adviser could hope for. You’ve been my emotional support human through surprise policy changes, immigration crises, and everything in between. More than an amazing business partner, you’re a close friend, a confidante, and the only person who truly understands my caffeine-to-productivity ratio. Honestly, I couldn’t imagine winging it with anyone else.
So here’s to year one: the drama, the lessons, the wins, the growth—and to many more years of doing this work we love, together.
- Carmi
