To inspire you to channel some loved-up vibes into your professional life this Valentine’s Day, we have pulled together 6 ways you can give your business a gift that keeps giving. And, the best part? You get to support the journey of a women-led business in the process.
From securing the industry recognition you deserve; to evaluating your brand position; funding advice or preparing for your next stage of growth, this curated list of business gifts from our WomenLed Collective founders will keep the love and rewards flowing for many months to come. As a little bonus, we’ve also included some business advice from each of the founders featured.
1) Award Recognition
Award-winning businesses outperform their competitors across the board. Donna O’Toole and her team at August Awards Consultancy are among the best in the business at helping businesses and leaders to raise their profile through awards. So if you’ve always dreamt of receiving an honour from the Queen or that industry accolade that will give you the endorsement you deserve, this is your chance to take your business to the next level.
Donna’s advice to anyone just starting out: “Sometimes you have to free-fall before you can fly. Don’t be afraid to feel a little out of control at the beginning, change is hard, but embrace the journey and believe in yourself.”
2. Mindset Shift
Are you feeling mentally stuck or in need of a mindset change that will positively affect your personal or business life? If you need help with low self-esteem and confidence, anxiety, stress and depression, achieving your career and business goals, or even becoming a calmer parent, Claire Aristides can help. As a trained Clinical Hypnotherapist, Claire offers hypnotherapy and visualisation coaching sessions, online workshops, as well as an innovative, digitalised wellness and empowerment platform for women – the Mindology App. Uniquely, she brings a business-minded skillset into her practice as she also runs her own successful jewellery company.
Key lessons Claire has learned on her business journey: “Embrace your strengths and your flaws too, be balanced about yourself. Just take a minute and step outside of your shoes and appreciate all you are!”
3. Realign your business with your purpose
Serial entrepreneur and bestselling author Linzi Boyd, Co-Founder of Business of Brand, has created a unique methodology that teaches entrepreneurs how to design, build and activate a business strategy based on the foundation of their core brand assets. Plus, their newly-launched platform BoB Earth is a global purpose-led platform that connects enterprise to trade, forming a community of like-minded people and businesses learning together about trade and partnerships to ultimately impact global industries and shift the world.
Linzi is a massive supporter of The Women’s Chapter and regularly gives workshops for our members, but going on one of her BoB School courses will revolutionise how you and others see your business.
Linzi’s advice to an aspiring entrepreneur? “If you build your business around the commercials and making money, it is not what’s going to keep getting you out of bed in the morning. You have to build it off a purpose and what you want to be known for, then stick to that vision and never give up.”
4. Coaching done differently
Pioneering a startup, running a business or being a senior leader demands infallible leadership that is central to everything that you do. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, struggling to break new ground or simply in need of guidance and clarity, Rebecca Morley is your person. She’s an award-winning executive coach and mentor that provides coaching, leadership development and strategic support for fast-growth startups and scaling businesses.
If you like to do things a little differently and are willing to take risks and push boundaries for growth and tangible rewards, Rebecca is the coach we recommend every time.
Best piece of advice Rebecca has received: “Drop the hustle and just focus on giving an incredible customer experience. I’m not exaggerating when I say my business tripled within 3 months of that conversation.”
5. Get funding fit
If you’re a woman entrepreneur looking to raise finances, get funding fit, scale your business and build long-term value in your business, Enter The Arena has got your back. Even if you’ve never raised investment before, Enter The Arena’s specialist one-on-one coaching sessions will teach you everything you need to know.
Founder Julia Elliot Brown is a serial entrepreneur that has raised over £2m in equity fundraising. She knows just how tough it can be to raise equity finance, especially as a female founder. She started Enter The Arena to provide women entrepreneurs with the strategy, skills and support they need to be successful at securing investment.
Key lesson Julia has learned along her business journey: “Failure is ok! If you haven’t failed, you probably haven’t tried hard enough.”
6. Revamp your professional image
We all know that first impressions are important, especially in the world of business. If you’re feeling like you need some direction when it comes to setting and achieving your life and business goals, curating the perfect wardrobe that is true to how you want to show up in the world, and developing your own personal brand, then Passage to Poise should be on speed dial.
Founded by Rebecca Lilley, Passage to Poise helps you to facilitate your own personal journey from where you are to where you want to be. They offer personal styling services (focused on occasion and workwear), life and business coaching services, and professional photoshoots.
Rebecca’s advice to an aspiring entrepreneur or woman just starting her career? “Ensure you surround yourself with the right support, mentorship, encouragement and expertise right from the beginning.
All of our WomenLed Collective brands have special offers and benefits for our community members. To access these offers, sign up for free community membership here: https://womenschapter.com/register/
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