Tired of running your business alone?
Being a first-time business owner is hard and can be incredibly lonely.
We've made it our mission to support you, without the high costs associated with typical board advisors.
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Welcome to the Founders First Programme - run by people who have actually founded and run their own businesses!
share experiences with people that have been there
You knew running a business would be hard, you expected the late nights and unpredictable income but no one warned you how lonely it could be.
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That's why we created Thirty Three Percent
- so your working life doesn't have to be lonely.
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You will come up against problems that will seem insurmountable, but once you talk them through with someone who's come across them before, everything feels achievable.
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When to hire?
Worried about cash flow?
Overwhelmed with all the options?
Concerned about how and when to pay yourself?
Tax seems confusing?
Marketing feels like an expensive minefield?
Is it really worth it? Will I come through the other side?
Feel like a busy fool and don't know how to prioritise?
Need accountability (a nudge in the right direction)?
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These are scary problems unless you've been there before - so why not talk to people who have!
WHAT WE can help with
financial planning
When you start out, it's ok to plan a few months ahead and ensure you have enough money coming in to pay the bills.
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As the business progresses, it's crucial to plan your finances to ensure you can scale, have a business that's fit for purpose, and can comfortably pay yourself and the taxman.
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Forecast your finances, including building a clear cash flow plan
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Develop a plan that ensures you are providing for Income or Corporation tax, as well as VAT
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Work out what you can comfortably pay yourself whilst continuing to grow a healthy cash reserve for those emergencies
go to market strategy
Most businesses start with a few recommendations or a couple of guarantee contracts. It's unfortunately not a sustainable strategy for the long term.
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You'll need to build out a marketing strategy, choose the right places to approach prospects and work out the messaging that will make you stand out.
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It's also critical to build a pipeline and understand how you'll convert prospects through the pipeline.
Understand the power of partnerships, lead magnets, pricing and the techniques you'll need to maximise revenues.
all matters people
"I'm scared to employ that first person - what if it goes wrong and I have to let them go?"
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A common concern, but something easily managed if you've got someone to work it through with.
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The first conversation is hiring permanent staff vs contractors or freelancers. Whatever the decision, picking the people who are right culturally is important.
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When you do eventually hire staff, managing them, learning to delegate, trust and knowing how to let people go, are all challenges that can feel daunting but are nothing you cannot handle.
managing customers
Once you are off and running, one of the biggest challenges is how to manage customers. ​
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If you are a B2B business, client management is critical for retaining them and ensuring you maximise revenues.
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If you are selling a product to consumers, then delivery, customer service and product development are all critical elements that will bring in new problems for the first-time owner. Working with our experienced business owners, you'll soon learn how to manage any situation like a pro.
a problem shared...
As the saying goes, "A problem shared is a problem halved", and that is so true for first-time business owners who have no one to talk to.​
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For 90% of the problems you encounter, most business owners have been through that themselves. We see it as our responsibility to share that experience.
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​​And occasionally you do come across something that's not a common problem and need an external resource to brainstorm the best solution.
And remember, most of the time you already have the answer within you, it's just about talking it through with someone else - that's us.
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Accountability
When it's just you, who holds you to those targets you set? It's too easy to choose the safe route unless you have the motivation from someone else to take risks.
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​​Sometimes you just need reassurance that it's all worth it. To hear from someone who's felt the loneliness you experience and come through the other side. We are with you and will support and challenge you.
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It would have been amazing to have an experienced board member to work with when we started our first businesses - so we are lucky to be able to offer that to today's first-time business owners.
How do we work
Having an external advisor and confidant doesn't have to cost thousands. We built the Founders First Programme so it was accessible to smaller businesses that would never dream of using a board advisor or a NED.
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Our working relationship is designed to work for you
On Demand
(Ad hoc support)
For those unsure of their requirements or cashflow is a problem, we have the On Demand package. Set up a chat when you need it. We are at the end of the phone, email or a text message
If you want to book regular sessions, we have our On Track package that includes a one-hour call every two weeks and access to email and WhatsApp contact
On Board
(Fully Integrated)
Those who will benefit from a more intensive session, particularly at the beginning, we suggest booking the On Board package, where we act as a member of your team. You get a half-day session and two follow up sessions.
As you see, our goal is to work around your business, life and needs. So get in touch today and see how we can help
Get In Touch
If you want to learn more about how we work, then why not get in touch.
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We do a couple of free consultations each month, so why not click here and see if we still have a free spot on the calendar. If not, all is not lost! Use the form to tell us a little about your circumstances and let us know the best way to contact you.
Duncan murtagh, automation sidekick
“garry has helped me create my new business and been a sounding board for any tough decisions."
james balmforth, equiliser
"thirty three percent have been integral in my first year of buisness, from help with positioning to financial advice."
kayleigh atherton, evolved
“garry has been an extension of our team, acting like a board advisor but without the expensive costs.”