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When people talk about the challenges of running a business, they often mention things like finding clients, managing finances or trying to juggle everything on their to-do list. What doesn't get talked about quite as often is how lonely it can feel. And the strange thing is, loneliness in business doesn't always look like being physically alone. You can have customers, colleagues, family, friends and social media followers around you and still feel like nobody truly understa

Starting a business is exciting!!! But.... It's also one of the most overwhelming things you'll ever do. One minute you're full of ideas and enthusiasm. The next, you're staring at your laptop wondering whether you should be building a website, setting up social media, registering with HMRC, designing a logo, attending networking events or trying to find your first customer. The truth is, most new business owners don't struggle because they lack ideas. They struggle because t

Making the decision to get support in your business can feel like a big step. Not always because of the practical side of things, but because of everything that sits around it. The overthinking, the second guessing, the wondering whether now is the right time or whether you should wait until things feel a bit more settled. And then, when you do get to the point of thinking, “Ok… I’m ready to do something about this,” there’s often another question that follows quite quickly…

If you’ve been reading along over the past few weeks, you might have found yourself starting to think that mentoring could be something worth exploring. But even then, there’s usually still a bit of a question mark around what it actually looks like in reality. Because it’s one thing understanding what mentoring is, and another thing entirely knowing what it feels like to be on the other side of it. It’s Not as Formal as You Might Think One of the first things people often sa

It’s a question that doesn’t always get said out loud, but it’s nearly always there in the background. What if I invest in this… and it doesn’t actually change anything? Because when you’re running a business, every decision feels like it carries a bit of weight with it. Time, money, energy… none of it is unlimited, and you don’t want to feel like you’ve wasted any of it on something that doesn’t move things forward. It’s Not Really About the Money On the surface, it can look

At some point in business, most people reach a stage where they start to feel like they might need a bit more support. Not because something’s gone wrong, and not because they’re not capable, but because trying to hold everything on your own can start to feel heavier than it needs to. There’s only so long you can keep all the ideas, decisions and pressure in your own head before something begins to feel a little bit stuck. And when you get to that point, the next question is

At some point in business, most people realise they need some kind of support. Not because they’re not capable, but because trying to do everything on your own can get heavy. There’s only so long you can keep all the ideas, decisions and pressure in your own head before something starts to feel a bit stuck. The tricky part is not always recognising that you need support. It’s knowing what kind of support is actually right for you. Because there are so many options out there,

Networking can be such a valuable part of growing a business. It gets you out from behind the screen, puts you in the room with other people who understand what it’s really like, and reminds you that you’re not doing it all on your own. For a lot of people, it’s also where things start to shift. Confidence builds, conversations become easier, and suddenly you’re not just thinking about your business in isolation - you’re talking about it, sharing it, and connecting with peopl

This is something I hear all the time. “I know what I need to do… I’m just not doing it.” And it’s usually said with a bit of frustration, sometimes even guilt, like it’s something they should have figured out by now. But the truth is, this isn’t a lack of knowledge. Most business owners I speak to already have a good idea of what they need to be doing. They’re not short of ideas, and they’re not sitting there wondering what the next step could be. The gap isn’t knowledge.

If you’ve ever thought about working with a mentor, chances are you’ve also had that question in the back of your mind: “But what actually happens in a session?” And it’s a completely fair question, because if you’ve never experienced it before, it can feel a bit unknown. A lot of people assume it’s going to be quite formal. That you’ll turn up, sit down, and be told what you should be doing in your business, or that you need to come prepared with everything mapped out in adv

You’re doing the hours. You’re replying to messages. You’re showing up, ticking things off, keeping everything going…But at the end of the week, you’re sat there thinking: “Why do I feel like I’ve got nowhere?” If that sounds familiar, you’re not on your own. This is one of the most common things I hear when I speak to business owners - especially the ones who care deeply about what they’re building. Because from the outside? You look busy. But behind the scenes? You feel stu

If the idea of “introducing yourself” at a networking event makes your stomach flip slightly, you’re not alone. For a lot of small business owners, it’s not the room that feels intimidating. It’s the moment someone says, “So… what do you do?” Suddenly your mind goes blank. You overthink it. You either ramble or undersell yourself. Let’s make this easier. First Things First: It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect You are not delivering a TED Talk. You are starting a conversation. Tha

If you’ve never been to a networking event before, it can feel like a big step. You imagine walking into a room where everyone already knows each other. You picture awkward introductions. Forgetting what you do. Standing alone with a cup of coffee. Let me reassure you. It ’s rarely as intimidating as your brain makes it. And knowing what to expect makes all the difference. You Won’t Be the Only One Feeling Nervous Here’s something people don’t always admit: Most people in th

When people hear the word networking, they usually picture awkward small talk, forced conversations and someone handing out business cards like they’re flyers. And honestly? That version of networking doesn’t appeal to me either. But the right kind of networking can quietly transform your business. Not overnight. Not in a flashy way. But steadily. Let’s talk about why it actually matters. Networking Builds Visibility (Without Shouting) If you run a small business, especially

If you’ve ever typed “business mentor” into Google, you’ve probably also seen the words business advisor, business consultant, business coach… And suddenly you’re wondering if they all mean the same thing. They don’t. And understanding the difference can save you a lot of time and money when you’re looking for the right kind of support. So let’s break it down properly. What Is a Business Mentor? A business mentor is someone who supports you as a business owner - not just your

There’s usually a moment. Not a dramatic one. Not a rock-bottom one. Just a quiet thought that creeps in while you’re answering emails, walking the dog, or driving between jobs. “Something isn’t sitting right.” You’re not failing. You’re not falling apart. You’re just… stuck. I speak to a lot of small business owners across Shropshire and beyond who feel exactly like this. Sole traders. Small teams. Capable people. Hard-working people. People who’ve built something from noth