People-first business optimisation and AI integration for founder-led SMEs
How we work with founder-led SMEs
We help founder-led SMEs design and optimise how their business runs – people, systems, processes, automation, AI, and team development – so strong teams and strong operations work together to deliver sustainable growth and better workplaces.
We work directly with founders and their teams to understand how the business really needs to run, then design and implement the systems, processes, automation, AI, and team practices that make it happen day to day.
What we do.
We optimise how founder-led SMEs operate – people, processes, performance, automation, AI, leadership, and operational rhythm – so your business can grow with strong systems and strong teams.
Some clients work with us through full consultancy support; others join structured programmes that combine business optimisation, team development, and peer community. In every case, our work improves efficiency, strengthens teams, and builds businesses designed for sustainable growth and better workplaces.
Let’s optimise how your business operates
Working with us.
We work with founder-led SMEs to align people, processes, performance, automation, AI, leadership, and operational rhythm, so your systems support your team and your business can grow with less friction.
Even great teams slow down when systems do not support them. Every project starts with understanding where your business is today and what needs to change, then designing, implementing, and embedding the operating systems that make things work.
Some founder-led SMEs work with us through full consultancy support to tackle operational challenges or build the next phase of their operating model. Others join structured programmes that use our core delivery frameworks for operations, AI and automation, and team development. Growth happens when great people have systems to match.n.
Our services
Business optimisation consultancy
Core consultancy for founder-led SMEs
Our core consultancy work optimises your full operating system – operational design, systemisation, automation and AI integration, fractional operational leadership, and ad-hoc consultancy support. This is for founder-led SMEs that want to strengthen how they run, improve efficiency, and build a scalable operating model for growth.
Embedded, done-with-you growth and operations support
A hands-on partnership where we work inside your founder-led SME with you and your leadership team for 3–6 months. We review and refine your strategy, develop your people, and build the systems that keep the business running without you as the bottleneck, embedding better ways of working, stronger leadership, and a clear roadmap for sustainable growth. This is deep, practical, done-with-you transformation.
Growth partnership
A practical 90‑day foundations programme for early‑stage founders.
Our bespoke mentorship programme designed for early‑stage founders who want to build solid business foundations from day one. Together we work on your business model, brand foundations, simple systems, customer journey, and the routines that keep the wheels turning, so you can move quickly, avoid overwhelm, and grow with intention.
BUILD programme
Project and operational support
On‑demand strategic and operational leadership for founders.
On‑demand strategic and operational leadership for when you need senior expertise without hiring a full‑time role. Whether it is running projects, leading change, building your operating rhythm, supporting automation and AI adoption, or stepping in as a steady pair of hands, we focus on the areas of your business that need attention. This is ideal for founders who need support with execution, project management, and keeping operations moving while they focus on growth.
A curated mastermind for ambitious female founders.
A problem-solving and opportunity-spotting space for ambitious female founders who want to think bigger, sharpen their leadership, and build a business that actually works for their lives. It blends strategic conversations, operational insight, and accountability in a small group of women in business supporting each other to grow with purpose. To register your interest, use the link below.
The Table
Working With Me® approach
This is your operating rhythm for high‑performance teams, built for real people in real businesses. It gives your team a shared playbook so they know how to work with you, how to work with each other, and how to make decisions without everything landing back on your desk.
It is practical, human, and designed to create confidence, trust, and smoother execution across the whole business.
Who we’ve worked with:
Founder-led SMEs and ambitious founders across the UK
Our core team works with a trusted network of specialists in operations, tech, and delivery – one framework, one focus: getting the job done. We’ve worked across industries and sectors including:
Tech-enabled service SMEs
Professional services and consultancies
Creative, digital, and marketing agencies
People and culture-focused organisations (HR, learning, coaching, wellbeing)
B2B SaaS and software-enabled businesses
Manufacturing and product-based SMEs
Healthcare and wellbeing providers
Education and training providers
Social enterprises and purpose-led organisations
Early-stage founders building their first or next venture
FAQ
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A business optimisation consultancy helps founder-led SMEs design how their business runs day to day – from people and processes to systems, automation, and decision-making. It identifies bottlenecks, simplifies workflows, and builds an operating model that supports growth instead of slowing it down.
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AI and automation are used to reduce manual work, connect tools, and make information easier to find and act on. That can include automating routine processes, improving reporting and visibility, and giving teams practical ways to use AI safely in their everyday work.
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inpurpose associates is a good fit for founder-led SMEs and early-stage founders who want their operations and teams to keep up with growth. It is particularly helpful if you are feeling like the bottleneck, systems have not kept pace, or you want to use AI and automation more effectively without losing the human side of your business.
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Consultancy focuses on designing and optimising your overall operating system. Growth partnerships embed more deeply with you and your leadership team over several months to deliver change together. Project and operational support is on-demand senior help for specific projects, change initiatives, or keeping operations moving while you focus elsewhere.
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Some improvements, like clarifying priorities, redesigning key processes, or fixing obvious bottlenecks, can create visible change within a few weeks. Deeper work on operating models, AI-supported workflows, and team development typically rolls out over 3–6 months so changes stick and the business can keep growing sustainably.
Results from working with us
Introduced AI-supported workflows to remove repetitive admin, freeing leadership time for growth decisions.
Reduced project bottlenecks and handovers for a founder-led service SME by redesigning their operating rhythm.
Helped a leadership team align roles, decision-making, and systems before a major growth phase.
