Growing Your Business with Help from a Mentor (Sasha and Neil)
The Entrepreneurs' Forum checks in with Neil Henry, a successful entrepreneur turned mentor, and Sasha Warr, the owner of Outsourced HR. Their mentoring journey has had a transformative impact on Sasha’s business, here’s how...
In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, navigating the complexities of business can be daunting. Recognising the need for guidance and support, the Entrepreneurs’ Forum offers a unique opportunity for its members through regular mentoring sessions. These confidential one-to-one sessions provide dedicated time to seek advice and discuss the intricacies of business with experienced entrepreneurs. A recent mentoring pairing between mentor Neil Henry and mentee Sasha Warr showcases just how beneficial these sessions can be to both parties.
Neil Henry, after successfully running a building services business for over two decades, made the decision to exit the business in March 2023. Reflecting on his journey, Neil shares: “Running the business had its novelties and its challenges. We took the business from a start-up with three employees to a business of 135 employees turning over nearly £40 million. It had its ups, downs, and a few economic hurdles to climb along the way, but I learned a lot over the years.”
Having exited the business, Neil found himself frequently sought after for advice. “During that month off, a lot of people were asking if they could pick my brains over a coffee. So, I kind of decided that there must be an opportunity out there for someone like myself, who’s been in business for over 20 years, to share their knowledge. People want that information and there’s no better valuable commodity than experience.” Neil subsequently founded Option3 Logic, a consultancy service for SMEs and business owners. “I’ve been a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum for about five years, I spoke to them about mentoring opportunities, and the ball started rolling from there,” he recalls.
Sasha Warr, owner of the HR consultancy Outsourced HR, has been running her business for 14 years. She joined the Entrepreneurs’ Forum earlier this year, finding the experience transformative.
“I’m quite a new member of the Forum, only joining earlier this year, but it’s the best thing I’ve ever did. The membership is amazing. I feel really supported, the quality of events is exceptional, and I’ve met some incredible people.”
The mentoring sessions provided Sasha with the guidance she needed during a crucial growth phase. “The biggest thing for me which I wanted to address within the mentoring sessions was quality. I had operated on my own for 11 years, and when the business started to grow and I was bringing other people in, how do I ensure that the business continues to operate in the way I want it to operate and that the clients receive the quality of advice they're expecting."
Upon reviewing the profiles of potential mentors, Neil Henry’s stood out to Sasha. “After reading through it, I knew he had the knowledge and experience to help me.” Their mentoring sessions have pushed Sasha out of her comfort zone and encouraged her to implement changes she hadn’t considered before. “Neil questioned me on certain areas of the business, for example, how do I know which clients have taken what services, what do I do with proposals, which clients are on a retainer etc., and he highlighted to me that I needed a CRM system.” Neil’s insight into business operations has been invaluable to Sasha.
“We've implemented a lot of new elements following the sessions. Neil talked to me about changing my retained contract a little bit, tweaking to give me a little bit more security in the business. Another big way he's helped me is with my brand awareness, helping me to make changes to better position the business."
For Neil, mentoring is not about financial gain but about making a difference. "I'm in a fortunate position where I'm not doing the mentoring for financial reasons, but because I want to. I feel extremely lucky and grateful to be able to share the knowledge I've gained over the years and share it with others. I'm a firm believer that if you've got the knowledge to share, then share it."
Sasha's experience highlights the transformative power of mentorship. "Joining the Forum and taking part in these mentoring sessions has made me sit up and think I need to start thinking like a bigger business and investing in things like a CRM system and marketing staff, which all would have seemed a bit scary before."
Beyond the mentoring session, Sasha has benefited from the networking opportunities provided by the Forum. "Being a member of the Forum has introduced me to some fantastic people. I managed to secure some funding for a brand-new website and maybe something towards the CRM system and some digital content."
Neil's advice to seasoned entrepreneurs is clear: "If you're a business owner, or someone who's been in business with a lot of experience, definitely consider becoming a mentor. And likewise, on the flip side, if you're a business owner who wants some sort of advice or help, don't be afraid to ask because you'll be amazed what resources are on your doorstep. Being a mentor is really rewarding and it's great to give something back."
The mutual benefits of the mentoring relationship are evident in the growth and confidence Sasha has gained. "Participating in the mentoring sessions is a golden opportunity to tap into knowledge and support that you don't otherwise have. You're speaking to people that have been around the block and have had a similar journey to you. Why wouldn't you tap into that resource?"
The mentoring sessions provided by the Entrepreneurs' Forum offer a unique opportunity for business owners to gain insights and advice from seasoned entrepreneurs. Neil Henry's journey from a successful business owner to a mentor shows the value of sharing knowledge and experience, while Sasha Warr's growth trajectory highlights the tangible benefits of mentorship. Whether you're an experienced entrepreneur or a business owner seeking guidance, the Forum's mentoring sessions can be a game-changer, providing the support needed to navigate the challenges of business.
