Considering your own Business? I don’t just help people change careers.
It’s a big step and I want you to be well prepared. This means taking some time to understand who you are, what’s important to you and coming up with ideas before making a choice. I can then help you make your dream a reality.
I offer an online course and a structured approach for us to work together.
Online Course
A cost-effective way to learn more about creating your own business is this 4 module guided course and you can read more here.
Want more one-to-one-support?
Most want a structured approach and this is a typical way for us to work together.
Session 1
This is all about you, we include a number of different preparatory exercises to focus on your strengths, career drivers, values, skills and like and dislikes of your previous jobs. We find out the areas that will be more challenging for you – you don’t need to do everything.
You may like to deepen your self-knowledge through either/or of these 2 assessments which you would complete in advance and forward reports to Denise
- VIA Strengths Exercise
- Fascination Advantage
You would pay for the reports yourself in addition to the work we do together.
Session 2
We get clarity on your goals, looking broader than a potential business. What sort of life style do you want? If you want to be financially free, what are you prepared to do to get there? How hard do you want to work? Who else should get involved in your business?
We integrate the work we’ve already done to start to generate ideas.
Maybe we cover enough in this session, or maybe we need to take more time in this area.
This could be a good time to add in the Start and Grow Your Own Business Online Course.
Session 3
We look further into ideas, including scenario planning – considering how each option could work. We aim to test this out – looking at the possible problems alongside the chances of success. We move into decision making and making the choice.
Further sessions
Will focus on creating and following an action plan with regular sessions to keep you accountable.
Should I work for myself?
Asking ‘should I work for myself’ is a great question. You want to think about why you want to work for yourself.
Career choices often are down to two main reasons
- You want to get away from something
- You want to move towards something
I can help you decide whether or not ‘I want to work for myself’.
Partly it’s down to personality, do you have the drive to succeed as self-employed, will you put in the commitment. It’s also down to personal circumstances, how will you survive with a probable drop in salary? But you also need to have a small business idea that is workable.
Clients continue to tell me how great I am at taking an interest and helping them develop ideas into something that will make money.
I love to plan, and I’m highly organised so I can work with you on your plan – how to make the transition to a portfolio career or a new business and how to create realistic goals.
What else to consider about ‘Should I work for myself or develop a portfolio career?’
You need to consider different small business ideas, I’m great at developing ideas (I have far more ideas than are good for me!) and especially helping people to see options. I’m sure we could work together on working out what is best for you.
One of your small business ideas may be to set up an online business. You’ve heard of passive income and you want some of that! I’ve made a lot of mistakes on my attempts to make money this way, but I’m getting there and I can help you develop your small business idea into something both enjoyable and profitable.
Family and friends may have their own perspective, and be less than supportive, or encourage you to take a step too far. I’m realistic and if I don’t know the answer, I’ve usually got a great resource in mind to help develop your small business idea.
How will you help me develop my small business ideas.
I help people decide on whether, or not, to become self-employed and to act as a sounding board and ideas generator.
Too many people fail to make a go of a business idea, whilst it could be marketing or finance, often it is down to fit. Too little attention has been paid to personality, goals, values and expectations. Yet these are the areas that will make the real difference.
I’ve gone through this path myself and can help you make the transition smoothly, but also ensure that it is the right option for you.
I’ve previously been guest faculty to a group of internet marketers running sessions on the psychology of success.
We can schedule career coaching sessions to discuss your small business ideas, and also talk about you. What aspects of self-employment will come easy and what will be more difficult?
Where can you get expert support in the areas you need help. Just because you are working for yourself it doesn’t mean that you will do everything, you can outsource tasks you don’t want to do, especially those that take up far too much time.
Some of my clients have opted to move into consultancy alongside their own business. Some have a mix of gaining their own clients and associate working or a part time job alongside their own business.
Perhaps you need specific help to create an online presence, you’ve seen what Denise does and wonder how you can adapt to suit you.
With an MBA, extensive experience in Business Excellence and Total Quality Management and a business owner since 1998, I can help you to review your marketing strategy, create business systems and help you play to your strengths.
I already work for myself but I’m not having much success
Are you feeling swamped? Not as effective as you could? Doing too much but not achieving your goals? Losing sight of the reason you set up in business?
We need to talk, and find out the blocks and get them unfixed.
Perhaps you chose the wrong small business idea, or perhaps you need to add more to your portfolio career mix. It can help to utilise what you already can do and sell those services – whether you be a carpenter, IT software designer, book keeper, occupational psychologist …. You can often get consultancy as an associate which is a great mix into a portfolio career.
Why Business owners choose Denise
- Denise is organised and motivational and able to motivate other business owners, and not just small businesses!
- Denise has a track record of working with entrepreneurs
- Denise runs a successful business and is generous in what she shares
- Denise is seen as an expert in the area of developing successful careers and job search, regularly featured in print and on the radio. She’s regularly featured as a guest expert on Radio 5 Live
Client feedback – small business ideas and portfolio careers
“Imagine having someone objective to bounce ideas around with, someone with personal expertise, and high levels of idea productivity. Someone on your side who wants you to succeed – Denise can provide this for you.” Adam
“Thank you for listening, sharing in a very generous, giving manner, and making me feel proud of my past. Your structured approach to taking the next steps are easy to follow and I’m making good progress and feeling much more positive about the future. Your guidance and suggestions ‘outpaced’ two other organisations, making me feel comfortable when other so called experts did not have the depth of experience you demonstrated!” Mark Edwards, Worcestershire
‘I am good at my work but didn’t really understand about systems. Clients seemed to be taking control and I was always waiting to be paid. I was also not working effectively and needed help with time management. The calls with Denise were very motivating and I was prompted to take immediate action. I’m not there yet, but I’m getting closer, and will continue with regular sessions – what she does is brilliant.’ Rob, Web Designer, Ireland
“I would like to thank you for all your help and support with helping me decide on what career path to take. I was quite confused on where to go with my career when I first met you but after our conversations and completing some questionnaires/reports, including the Strong Interest Inventory I was able to make some good decisions. Your commitment and passion for your work shines through and it is very inspirational to see what can be achieved if you choose the right career for yourself and you are an excellent example for this.” Jessica, Small Business Owner, Gloucester