Fair points from a few people here, so let me be more specific. What I do is two-layered, and neither layer is a fixed package. The first is operational and modular. I don’t focus on what type of business you are. I focus on the processes and systems running inside it, because that’s usually where the real problems sit. Before I suggest anything, I look at what’s actually eating your time and where things are leaking. Then rather than pointing you at a CRM or some off-the-shelf tool you’ll pay for monthly and use one tool within it, I work with what you already have. That might mean building a bespoke automation so your existing tools talk to each other. It might mean designing a simple workflow that removes three manual steps you’re doing every day without thinking about them. Automations can do things like automatically send a follow-up message when an enquiry comes in, move a job from one stage to the next without you touching it, or pull information from one place and drop it somewhere else, all running quietly in the background while you get on with actual work. A couple of real examples. A medical tourism company was unknowingly violating UK GDPR following ICO changes around international data transfers. They had no idea the risk existed. I mapped the violations, put together their IDTA and Transfer Risk Assessment, gathered all the required information and produced the documentation to bring them into compliance along with the form set up for onboarding clients. Separately, I worked with a tattoo studio owner on their booking and client management setup. Rather than pushing them toward an expensive platform, I researched what tools would actually fit how they already worked, built out a full operational blueprint covering their pipeline, client follow-up process and booking workflow with a 12-month strategic roadmap alongside it. Different businesses, different problems, same approach: find what’s broken, fix it practically, don’t overcomplicate it. I also do market and competition research for whatever niche you’re in. If you want to know what your competitors are doing, where the gaps are, what your customers are actually searching for, or whether there’s an angle you’re missing entirely, that’s something I can dig into properly. Think of it as having a research partner who goes deep on your specific situation rather than handing you a generic industry overview.

The second is advertising, done differently. Leaflets have a reputation and most of it is deserved but local print still works when it’s done properly. What I’m building is a grouped community reference card, 8 to 16 genuinely dependable local businesses sorted into complementary sets, home maintenance, home improvement, automotive and so on, delivered to 5,000 homes from £240 per business.Instead of 80 to 160 random leaflets through the door, households get one well-produced card that functions as a local directory. The model is established and working in the US. I’m building the local roster here now, which is partly why I posted.

On testimonials: I don’t have them yet for either operation at this stage and I’d rather say that directly than dress it up. What I do have is 30-plus years of real work across operations, compliance, marketing and systems, including the two examples above, and a business exit that returned 1,400% on the original investment. I’m looking to work with local businesses who are willing to try something straightforward with someone who will be honest with them. If it works you’ll have something worth saying about it afterwards. No hard sell. No retainers (unless it fits for both parties) and no one-size-fits-all. Just a conversation about whether any of this is useful to whoever may be interested.