It's time to get serious about your business
You've got a growing business, and you want to make sure you're doing all the right things to succeed - to protect from expensive mistakes and the stress of sleepless nights.
In business "you don't know what you don't know" and there always seems to be something else to learn and do. I'm here as a "been there done that" legal advisor and business mentor, to give you fast insights and answers, to help you move forward past problems, and give you accountability and support. Let's work together to put in place a strategy for growth.
THE CURSE OF THE SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR
You've been running your business for a few years now, you've got revenue coming in, demand for your offerings, lots of ideas on expansion, opportunities and a strong sense of where you're headed.
Yet....in the wake and disruption of this pandemic you need fresh eyes and ideas and insights. You know you're good at what you do, but you're kind of learning as you go, and it's not always that comfortable to be flying by the seat of your pants.
Maybe you've also been:
- Trapped "doing the do" day in, day out, servicing client demand. Working more hours than when in your 9-5
- Often saying "yes" instead of pausing to think through the wider perspective?
- Tired of getting different conflicted advice on how to do things.
- Feeling out of your depth in certain areas and worried about missing important stuff
WORKING ON THE BUSINESS
One of the biggest mistakes small business owners make is not taking enough time to step back and work ON the business. Getting stuck IN the business, doing all the things. An essential intervention is stepping back and investing time and focus in the future success of your business. And I'm here to guide you through that process - to give you objective and insightful support on your business plan and get your moving forward with greater ease.
Let's work together. Collaboration. Two heads are always better than one. You can't be expected to know it all from the get-go, and solid business growth takes time and grit. But you can choose to take proactive advice to avoid the most common causes of failure (when you know how). You can invest to future proof your success and give yourself the best chance of building a strong business which you're proud of AND gives you a high quality of life.
That's why I've created these sessions - for business owners just like you, ready to get serious about business growth. Putting your energy on planning and proactive protection.
PLAN FOR SUCCESS
Very few small business owners have the budget to engage with a commercial lawyer - at an average cost of £350/hour (or more). And if you do, it's hard to get the answers you actually need. Very few commercial lawyers have run their own small businesses, so the advice you get is "this is what the law says you should do."
I'm a business mentor with a background in legal and contracts. I'm here to help you avoid costly mistakes, and protect your business.
In these sessions, I bring decades of experience and legal know-how having worked with hundreds of small businesses on commercial strategies for success. I may ask hard questions but it's better for us to know where the problems are so that you don't tripped up by them later. That's what I mean by getting serious with your business growth.
HOW THIS WORKS
(My expert eyes + your brilliant business plan = CLARITY & INSPIRED ACTION)
GROUNDWORK
To get prepared, you'll complete my Commercial Healthcheck online, which asks key questions about your business model. Your core offerings, client relationships, corporate set-up, contracts, brand protection and IP assets, plans for growth, scaling potential. No right or wrong answers - just a great way to assess where any gaps may be from the beginning. You can also send me your business plan before we talk. I'll review & clarify any areas with you on email before we meet to go through things together.
STRATEGY SESSION
We meet on an online video call (Zoom) for an intensive 90 minute session. We analyse what's working well, where the gaps or sticky areas are, and where the opportunities for growth are. You share your concerns, and we pick an area for laser coaching where we'll go deeper. We rejuvenate your business plan, revisit your vision and values, revise the current goals, revenue streams and identify IP assets for growth. Insights, ideas, commercial rigour. Planning for the short and medium term, with a long term sustainable lens on.
ACTION
After our session, you'll get a set of recommendations from me tailored to your business - on any areas which need extra attention or fixes. I may also introduce you to other experts within my network who I think can support you in our next phase of growth. Two weeks of follow up email and voxer access to discuss any issues or questions. If there's further help you need we'll devise next steps. You'll be amazed how invigorated you'll feel, ready to take action with the confidence that you're building from a stronger foundation.
IT'S TIME FOR ACTION
Oh, and did I mention this will be fun as well as "seriously" helpful? That bit's non-negotiable. I'm not your usual stuffy lawyer (far from it, actually) and whilst our time together will be intense, curious and jam-packed with nuggets of commercial gems, it is also about having a great time. I'm here to remind you about how exciting it is to be building your incredible business at this time and make sure you've not lost sight of your huge vision for your business. Celebrating everything you've already achieved and getting confident on how to move to the next level. It's so important to invest in your personal growth as well as your business, because they are truly one and the same. I'm an intuitive coach as well as a strategic lawyer, which is a rare mix when it comes to business planning. This session is to check that you're taking your business forward in exactly the right direction legally and financially, whilst making sure that your energy, enthusiasm and wellbeing are protected too.
BOOK YOUR SESSION NOW
Transform your business plan and get solid commercial foundations in place for growth.
ONE OFF PAYMENT
ÂŁ895
Inclusive VAT
3 easy steps:
1. Complete my online Commercial Healthcheck and return it to me onlineÂ
2. We meet for our intensive 90 minute session on Zoom. You get 2 weeks email and voxer follow up support.Â
3. I will send you bespoke recommendations for your business, referrals to any experts who can support you, and help you finalise your business plan for the next quarter.Â
Meet Rachel
Leadership and business mentor - supporting small businesses to succeed
FLOWER POWER
I'm a qualified commercial lawyer turned business coach with a specialism in growth and leadership. I spent 7 years practising commercial law in a large international firm, followed by five years as Commercial Director in a FTSE100 company where I managed major contracts over £500m in value. I took the leap into entrepreneurship 10 years ago with my consultancy business (Serenwood) supporting small businesses with a wide range of commercial issues - contracts, procurement, IP assets, commercial strategies & dispute resolution.
In my time I've negotiated hundreds of deals for businesses & seen the good bad and the ugly about how to grow (and how not to grow!) successful businesses. There's not much I don't know about building strong foundations to scale PLUS I have hands-on knowledge of growing my own business - and all the lessons I've learnt along the way.
Most importantly, I really care about sustainable business. Many more people are setting up in business but the stats around business failure are shocking, particularly when it comes to female-founded businesses. My mission is to provide accessible, practical and jargon-free support to ensure as many business owners as possible get onto solid foundations from the outset.
Don't wait to get fresh eyes on your business plan. Let's work together to ensure your success.
"Rachel is the most kind, caring and knowledgeable advisor you could wish for! She came recommended to me, and she has been the most incredible support so far and I feel very safe in her hands. I often call her my guardian angel in business because she is :) I would happily use her services over and over again, she's calm and caring but still KICKS BUTT"
Laura Phillips
Launch Coach, Love to Launch
"Rachel is an incredible person. I love working with her as she brings rapid clarity and outstanding solutions to all that she works with. Not only is she an expert in law and business but a powerful coach with huge heart and compassion. I always feel uplifted, clear and at peace during all our exchanges. The mixture of her unique skill and years of experience in helping businesses to shine makes me confident with her advice. She makes a real difference and is aligned with people's highest value and their real needs. I feel so grateful for what Rachel is doing in the world. "
Gosia Gorna
Coach www.gosiagorna.com
"Rachel has a great combination of legal expertise and commercial acumen. She has a real focus on delivering quality service with integrity, mixed with a sound understanding of business requirements."
Karen Pearson
Consultant, KPL Commercial
"I would recommend Rachel in a heartbeat. She is both gentle and brutally honest, and knows just when the apply the right one. She helped me to see my true potential and gave me confidence and belief in how to fulfil it. She asked me questions I’ve never been asked before and made me think in ways I hadn’t before. When I first reached out to her I had reached my limit, and was on the verge of getting ill. I expected advice, but instead I got support, honesty, kindness and inspiration. The changes were bloody scary but I felt supported at every point. I couldn’t have asked for more."
Carrie T
"Rachel has always been exceptionally helpful and delivered excellent quality work which met our needs exactly. You give us exactly what we need as a small business, with no pressure. We cannot afford high bills for commercial support, but it is imperative that our strategy and our documents are accurate, correct and easy to understand. I’m so grateful to have you to trust, and it’s been invaluable to us as we grow our business. We will definitely use you again and again, and recommend to our networks"
Karen Burns
Blue Cow Education
"Rachel’s big difference is her safety and support and presence, how she “saw” me fully which helped to regain belief in myself and what I can offer the world. She helped me to re-orientate to the bigger picture and feel purposeful, connect with my core values, and become less anxious about the outcome. I became courageous in my actions and choices, gained in confidence and felt authentic again. I paid attention to my self-care and as a result was able to tune into my intuition and be myself for the first time in many years. I loved the sense of being part of a bigger “movement” i.e. the importance of women in leadership positions in order to influence culture and change. I recommend Rachel with all my heart."
Lindsay J
Consultant
"When I first found Rachel, I was really tired of my business. I’d reached huge level of "success" but inside I felt empty and burnt-out. My course of coaching sessions with you changed everything. You are so smart, empathetic and non-judgmental. I felt instantly safe and able to share all the challenges of my business that I'd been hiding away. Within weeks I felt re-energised, re-focussed and also uncovered massive opportunities that had been sitting in my blindspots. I am so grateful I found you when I did!"
Sarah James
Forward Solutions
YOUR BUSINESS GROWTH - THIS WAY
Are you ready to get serious with your business growth?
If you want to explore other ways we can work together such as my 1-to-1 coaching, done for you legals, online leadership membership The Greenhouse - then you can book a call with me using the button below.