4pManagement Ltd

I launched 4p Management in early 2021. For years, I had toyed with the idea of being independent, but like many, the security of a good salary in a blue-chip company kept me from making the leap. Then, in mid-2020, an opportunity came along that was simply too good to pass up. And so, in the middle of a global pandemic, I started laying the foundations for my own pet food manufacturing consultancy.

At that time, face-to-face meetings were difficult, and international travel was burdened with COVID restrictions. Despite those challenges, I officially launched on January 2nd, 2021. I was fortunate that my former employer, Nestlé Purina, engaged me on several projects to complete, writing post-project reviews, mentoring colleagues, and providing engineering support.

My first non-Nestlé engagement came just a few months later, in April 2021, with a growing Hungarian pet food company that had recently acquired a factory in Italy. They sought my advice on investment plans, and the introduction came through a former colleague who had spotted my new role on LinkedIn. That same year, another ex-Nestlé contact introduced me to a U.S. multinational investing in its first wet pet food factory in Mexico.

From there, word of mouth carried my consultancy forward. In 2022 and 2023, I added three more clients and secured repeat work with existing ones. The pet food market was thriving—driven by rising cat and dog populations, alongside growing demand for convenience in emerging markets. 2023 became my strongest year yet, with a full pipeline stretching into early 2025. I even reached the rare point, as a consultant, where I had to turn work down.

Beyond client projects, I also invested in giving back. Through the PMI mentoring programme, I supported individuals starting their own businesses or navigating corporate careers—sharing insights to help them strengthen their professional appeal.

2024 was becoming a pivotal year. I enjoyed a busy first half, balanced with celebrating a personal milestone—turning 60. But as the year went on & projects completed, I was seeing new work began to slow down. One major client underwent a change of ownership and cut back on external support, while another’s project completed and the proposed second phase was cancelled.

That slowdown has continued into 2025. So far, I’ve completed four short projects, all thanks to referrals from former colleagues. While that’s encouraging, it’s also a clear reminder: it’s time for me to step up my visibility and actively market my services to find new clients.

Over the next 12 months, I plan to share a series of insightful articles on here and LinkedIn to showcase my expertise, spark conversations, and hopefully connect with potential new clients.

If you’re considering a pet food manufacturing project, I’d love to hear from you. I’m fully independent, with no ties to OEMs, and my only goal is to recommend solutions that genuinely add value.

Get in touch email me at: Paul.Chalmers4pm@gmail.com

To answer my original question “What’s it like to run your own business”?

In a word: Great!