The first thing my business coach said was ‘no’!

Photo taken from Bloom's Launch Event in February 2024 - alongside others who have also benefited greatly from Breda's expertise!

One of the most important relationships in running Bloom, my project management company, is with my business coach, Breda Ferarrio , founder of Ferarrio Consulting . We met way before Bloom, when she came into my then company to help with a change in structure. She made an impression on me from the start because I’d never heard anyone talk that way about business before. It didn’t matter that we were a massive corporate firm, we still had to go back to the basics of a lot of elements of how we worked, which echoed many of the same principles of starting a new business.

As such, when I knew I wanted to go it alone, I asked Breda if she could introduce me to a business coach. She said, ‘no – not until you figure out what you want to do. I’m not going to waste your time or theirs!’. But she then went on to say she would help me to figure out what I wanted to do. And that was a conversation I will never forget, because a lot of people would have just put me in touch with someone and left it there. Breda told me what I needed to hear and that has been the foundation of our relationship ever since

🌸 Why, what, how?

The first thing I did with Breda was to work out the essence of what I wanted to do. This meant figuring out why I wanted to do it, how I wanted to be seen, what type of clients I wanted, what type of energy – and so on! And I think that is the value of a coach right there – they’re not telling you want to do, but guiding you through a process so that you can figure out what you’re thinking and come up with your own answers.

🌸 Bite-sized pieces

It’s all too easy to be overwhelmed when starting a business, thinking you need to work out your long-term vision for success immediately. In fact, I’ve learned from Breda to break things into bite-sized pieces and just focus on the next thing that’s needed. So, we’ve worked through the short- and medium-term, before even starting to talk about long-term. 

🌸 Homework!

At the start, Breda and I met once every couple of months and now – a year in – we meet once a quarter. But the work continues in between times and I have different things to focus on. For example, when I brought the Bloom board together (see How I got a board on board… — bloom (bloompm.co.uk) ), Breda helped me to prepare for it. We talked about getting the best advice from the board, strategizing both their roles and mine, and I went away and worked on all those aspects. I enjoy seeing Breda, but it’s also quite daunting! Because no matter how much I’ve achieved in that quarter, I know there’s going to be another lesson to come on growth and capacity – and the associated homework along with it! Though, of course, this is great because she’s watching for the next stage in the journey and making sure I’m ready for it.

🌸 A long-term partnership

Working with Breda is a long-term relationship because my aim is to build a business that’s growing and she’s helping me ensure I have the foundations for that in place. She’s shown me that it’s crucial to do this from the start, rather than getting people on board and then trying to figure out how to change. When I do expand, it will be with the right people in the right roles to best aid that process.

🌸 Best decision

Breda has been there right from the start, we get on well, but she also knows how to keep me in check and on the right path, which is hugely valuable. Seeking out the right business coach has been one of the best decisions of the first year of Bloom.

If you’d like to have an initial conversation with Breda about your business, you can find her her profile here: Breda Ferarrio

Photo taken from Bloom's Launch in February 2024 - alongside others who have also benefited greatly from Breda's expertise!

 Whether you’re actively looking for a project manager or would just like to start a conversation, I would love to hear from you!

Yaeger Irwin is the founder and owner of Bloom Project Management Limited. She is passionate about her work, having spent the last 20 years delivering complex and high-profile projects to a wide range of satisfied clients. Get in touch to find out how Bloom could help with your next project.