Episode 112 – Phil Fraser – Business Does Not Have To Be Lonely; 3 Vital Things Before You Leap and 3 To Be Investment Ready…

Secrets to Growing Your Business with Confidence with Phil Fraser  The key time most business owners look outside for help is when they reach ‘a next point’ in their journey, and you don’t need to be lonely up there figuring the ideals on your own, get support and build your business with confidence. In this episode, I’m joined by Phil Fraser, a business coach, mentor, and ‘personal NED’ who works with ambitious SME-owners as a Business Sounding Board.  Phil is the bespoke personal support for SME owners wanting guidance on their issues and objectives from someone who has been there and done it. He is also a volunteer Mentor with a number of organizations, including The Prince’s Trust and Young Enterprise, and is an active Angel Investor.  Phil went from a kitchen table start-up, with no investment, all the way to a multi-million-pound sale to a PLC 18 years later. He’s travelled the full SME business journey, and as a Business Sounding Board, he gives SME Owners the time and space to regularly discuss their challenges and opportunities, with no sense of judgment or bias, and in complete confidence. This allows them to explore their options in full, culminating with a list of issues to address/clarify, a clear target in mind, a roadmap to success, and a renewed enthusiasm and confidence for the challenges ahead. During the episode, Phil shares his explicit wisdom on how you can achieve accountability and get support to provide you with tools to strategize your business roadmap and build your business to that level you desire with confidence.  In This Episode, You Will Learn About: [00:33] Phil Fraser career journey [02:57] The intriguing story behind Phil’s Kitchen table start-up [05:28] The essence of Nestle Cafe austilicos coffee [08:19] How Phil help businesses owners find solutions to cycle problems in their journey   [12:08] The benefits of having a business sounding board or a mentor in your business [14:56] How Phil works as a volunteer in the young enterprise space  [21:10] The narrative behind loneliness at the top and ways to move past it [26:00] Why your business needs a good external advisor [29:47] Key takeaways from Phil [33:26] Three things to focus on before you make investment decisions [38:57] How to reach out and connect with Phil  [39:56] Phil’s coffee dream locations and coffee preference for the season Notable Quotes: * “In most cases, we look for coaches and mentors when there is a problem, but often it should be when we’re doing well to help us go to the next step.”* “Loneliness at the top doesn’t have to be emotional, it’s more of strategic loneliness.” * “Somebody gotta tell you your baby is ugly, and this cannot be your wife, husband or salesman, only someone external can do it.”* “You are not alone, there will always be someone to help you in whatever you think.” Links: Website: https://philfraser.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philfraser/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxOB04UJc2YvBx5QTnv8p2w  ****Join Mike’s Sterling Business Success & Coffee podcast Today