When you start running your own business for the first time, it can feel like you’re a fish out of water. 

Gone are the days when you had an IT person to fix your computer, HR to sort out Franchisee’s problems, a marketing department to tell people about your work, and even a boss to guide you. 

Now it’s all down to you – and it can feel overwhelming.

In this post, you’ll discover the different forms of business support available. From outsourcing to coaching and mentoring, joining communities, and the tools and resources that can help.

Why seeking support is a strength

Imagine you bought a new house and expected yourself to know how to be a plumber, electrician, carpenter, and builder all at once. 

You wouldn’t, would you? Yet, when we start a business, we feel like we have to be an expert in everything.

It’s absolutely okay to ask for help and seek out support – it’s vital for your success. 

When Pets2Places founder Claire Harris joined my Publicity for Pet Businesses course in 2021, she wanted to learn how to get her business featured in the press. 

By working together, she secured coverage in national newspapers, local media, and pet magazines. 

Her confidence grew as she learned how to share her story, and connected with people who needed her services and wanted to work with her.

Claire has since built a team to support her and attracted franchisees all over the UK.

Asking for help isn’t a weakness – it shows you’re committed to growing your business. 

How to get started when it comes to finding support

1. Establish what kind of support you need
   Take some time to look at the skills and activities needed to run your business. You’ll have strengths from your previous career or life experience that will benefit you. For example, if you worked in marketing, that’s a strength you can build on.
   But let’s say you hate numbers – accountancy is not going to be something you want to embrace! Start by identifying your strengths and weaknesses. That’s the first step to figuring out where you need support.
2. Look at the business support you already have
   Your friends, family, and colleagues can be invaluable. If you’re a franchisee, the franchise owner or other franchisees in your network will want to help you so connect with them.
   Recommendations are also important because they give you reassurance that you’re in safe hands.
   For example, if you’re looking for an accountant, ask other business owners who they trust and use for their accounting.
   If you’re struggling with marketing, reach out to someone who has walked that path before, or consider joining a community where people are happy to share their knowledge.

Decide what you want business support to look like

Now that you’ve identified your strengths and gaps, think about what kind of support suits you best:

• Hand it over completely: If you can’t stand bookkeeping, hire an accountant. Ask around for recommendations to find someone reliable.
• Learn it yourself: If you’re eager to gain new skills, start small. For example, if you want to improve your marketing, there are podcasts, books, and online resources to help which are either free or a low investment.
• Get accountability: Setting goals can help keep you on track. For instance, you might focus on social media for the first quarter of the year, then move on to SEO in the second. Having a plan will help you track your progress and build confidence.

Your options if you want to learn yourself

If you’ve decided to learn new skills, here are some affordable or free options:

• Podcasts and blogs: There are podcasts on every topic imaginable. My own podcast, which you can find at https://rachelspencer.co.uk/about/, focuses on visibility and publicity for pet professionals. It’s packed with tips and advice, case studies and inspiration.
• Books and resources: My Pet Business Content Planner is a tool to help you map out your content ideas, stay consistent, and plan ahead. It also includes mindset exercises for those moments when running your business feels tough.
  If you’re looking for more reading, Who Not How by Dan Sullivan is a brilliant book that encourages you to think about who can help you, rather than how you’ll do it all yourself.
• Join an online community: There are free Facebook groups where you can get advice on all kinds of topics, from marketing to accounting to social media to help you get started. You can also join paid memberships that provide support, resources, and personalised help. My Pets Get Visible Membership provides training on blogging, press releases, email marketing, plus group coaching and co-working calls so you get your visibility work done!
• In-person training: Organisations like Google Garage and local business hubs often provide free or low-cost workshops. The NatWest entrepreneur accelerator is a free, six month programme with coaching and training on so many different elements of being an entrepreneur.
• Online courses: Platforms like Udemy offer affordable courses on a wide range of topics, from SEO to graphic design. You can learn at your own pace and within your budget.
• Professional organisations: Joining groups like the Pet Industry Federation or your local Federation of Small Businesses or Chamber of Commerce can help you connect with like-minded professionals and find trusted service providers.

Coaching and Mentoring

You can find coaches who specialise in all kinds of areas if you’re looking for 1-1 support, and people in your organisation can be your mentor too. 

As founder of Pets2Places, Claire is on hand to support new franchisees and set them up for success as a mentor.

If you’re looking to grow your skills in a specific area, she will be able to signpost you to trusted experts from her own network.

When you’re looking to work with a coach or mentor, it’s a good idea to get a ‘feel’ of how they are, to see if you’re a good fit.

Check them out on social media, listen to their podcast or read their blog, and if they feel right, arrange a discovery or chemistry call to reassure you that they’re the person to help you. 

Case Study – Claire Harris, Founder of Pets 2 Places Ltd

Claire is an example of what’s possible when you seek the right support. She wanted to raise the profile of her pet taxi business, Pets2Places. 

Through coaching, she learned how to pitch her story to the media, resulting in coverage in national newspapers, local magazines, and pet publications.

The visibility transformed her business, and she continues to inspire others in the pet industry and supports her franchisees in raising their profile because of the skills she’s learned.

Claire has since learned many other skills, for example, coaching and mentoring, and the many moving parts that come with running a franchise business.

Conclusion

Running your own business doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. 

Whether you’re looking to outsource, learn new skills, or find a coach to guide you, the right business support can make all the difference.

From tools like my Pet Business Content Planner to memberships like Pets Get Visible, there are so many resources available to help you thrive.

And remember, asking for help isn’t a weakness – it’s the first step to growing your confidence, visibility, and success. 

If you’d like to learn more about how I can help, visit https://rachelspencer.co.uk/about/ or drop me a message on social media.

Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/rachelspenceruk

Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/rachelspenceruk

LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelspenceruk/

If you would like to join us, feel supported at all times in your new business, then why not head over to our Franchise Page on our website: Become a Franchisee – Pets 2 Places