Growing Up in a Founder-Led Business: Early Life Lessons in Business and Value

From my earliest memories, the rhythms of our family business shaped my understanding of the world. As the child of a founder, I witnessed firsthand the triumphs and challenges of building something from the ground up. My first job was answering the phone for my father’s business, doing some basic marketing from agreeing branding to creating ads & I was hands-on from the age of 8 whilst also attending school. These experiences taught me invaluable lessons that continue to guide my professional journey today.

The Power of Marketing

One of the first business lessons I absorbed was the undeniable power of marketing. I started to track competitor advertising and would cycle to their showrooms to see what they were doing. I chose fonts and brand assets spending hours deciding on the aesthetics. Marketing wasn't just about advertisements for me, it was about expressing my Dad’s care, passion and expertise that he had for his work and his customers. I learned that effective marketing tells a story that makes customers feel understood and valued. This lesson has stayed with me: good marketing doesn't just drive sales; it builds relationships that sustain a business through changing markets.

People Make the Difference

Perhaps the most profound lesson came through observing how my Dad prioritized relationships with both customers and employees. Dad liked to train up juniors and pass on his wisdom and often he over-delivered to his customers, much to the annoyance of my Mum, who said he was too kind to be in business.

I witnessed firsthand how hiring decisions could transform our company's trajectory. The right team member could inject new energy and ideas, while a poor fit could disrupt the entire operation.

Navigating Through All Seasons

The most lasting lesson came from observing how a scaling business has different cycles. During prosperous times, everything seemed effortless—decisions flowed easily, risks felt minimal, and growth seemed guaranteed.

But it was during the challenging periods that I learned what truly matters in business. When market conditions changed drastically driven by a series of unfortunate events, we suddenly experienced tightened or unexpected obstacles. My family pivoted to making hard decisions, cutting all none necessary costs to save the business. So whilst it was a hard time for the business, it was even tougher for my family. You don’t leave stress in the workplace, it follows you home. And this is when I learnt another important lesson. Work can impact your family life and when the going gets tough, you get focused and do what you can to get through it.

The Enduring Legacy

Growing up in this environment, there were daily realities that shaped our family life. I learned that success isn't just about strategy documents or quarterly projections; it's about understanding human needs, delivering genuine value, and having the resilience to adapt when circumstances change.

This experience now maps to what I do today. I want to help businesses grow and scale. I also want to help them navigate the challenges of a scaling business. I understand the impact a struggling business can have on a person’s family life.

These lessons have become my professional compass. Whether in times of abundance or scarcity, I've learned to stay focused on what truly delivers value—to customers, to team members, and ultimately to the business itself.