1:1 Mentoring

How I work

• Chemistry is everything. The first meeting is gratis - it is for me to understand what you are looking for and for you to get a taster of my style of working and see if it suits you. I will give you my first impressions of your business and the key challenges we need to tackle first. We need to be in agreement on what we will focus on and the big milestones before we agree to work together. It is important that I can make impact on you and your business (and I like to back winners!) and it is equally key for you to feel comfortable with how I plan to work with you. Ahead of the kick off, you will complete a personality test and some writing exercises so I can understand your deeper motivations and values, and ensure we stay aligned whilst working together.

• 2 hours per month. We meet twice a month for one hour online, or in person for 2 hours once a month - whichever best suits your style and the cadence of the business.

• Whatsapp / Email contact in between sessions can be offered on top.

• There is homework after every session, to be completed ahead of the next session.

• After each session, you will receive:

  • a transcript and summary of the session

  • An audio recording of the session (should you wish to listen back.)

  • An email summary from me on how I think you are getting on (including any watch-outs), plus all the action points agreed and homework for the next session.

• There is a 3 month minimum commitment in working together. After that, it simply rolls with a short notice period on both sides.

• Both solo founders & co-Founders are welcome - although the format is slightly different.

My Coaching Style

My approach is part- life coach, part- business advisor.

For me, everything starts with how you want to live your life, and how you want to feel, and then how your business can serve that vision. It is important to clarify that this is a key detail in deciding to work with me. We won’t be simply focussing on ‘what you need to do to serve the goals of your business’.

I care about your wellbeing and attitude more than I do about your bottom line (although I will make sure you look after that too).

I will support you to develop your own compass of decision-making so that I ultimately become redundant, as opposed to telling you what to do at every cross-road.

I will always remind you that can do whatever you want (I won’t stand in your way, providing it is legal!) but it is my job to warn you of all the possible costs and consequences of each route available to you.

I will enjoy giving you feedback on your packaging and P&L, as much as I will love reading about your dreams to live and work abroad, and to have a dog.

Essentially, I am coaching you to be the best leader in your own life as well as in your business - in that order. I will help you identify the gaps that you have to get there and help you develop those skills until you’re all ‘look ma no hands.’

My Sweet Spots

While I can be helpful across a number of industries - especially at the early stages of business - I certainly have some sweet spots where I can add the most value.

• Startups with a very unique and innovative product with a clear, defendable product strategy.

• Asian Food Products (especially from Japan, China, Taiwan, Singapore and Korea) where education of flavours to a Western audience is key, and listings into “World Foods.”

• Early stage businesses at concept exploration seeking to validate product-market fit.

• Food products that are established in the Indies in the UK and are ready to scale up into Retail Supermarkets in the UK, such as Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsburys, Ocado.

• Food products with an export strategy to the following markets: Australia, South Africa and Canada.

• Female-led businesses.

• Health food products and supplements - wellness industry, fermented foods, natural options.

If I feel (having met you) that I know someone with more relevant experience than me to support you then I will refer you. It is important that you get what you need and I can deliver the most impact for you.