From Solopreneur to Supported: How Working with Others Transformed My Business Psychology

Are you doing it all… and wondering why it still doesn’t feel like enough?

That question used to sit quietly in the back of my mind as I juggled my product and retail businesses solo. I was the designer, buyer, marketer, accountant, merchandiser, and customer service team—sometimes all in one afternoon. Sound familiar?

There’s a gritty kind of pride that comes from running a business alone, but here’s the truth I’ve come to embrace: building a business doesn’t have to be lonely. In fact, working with the right kind of support can be one of the most transformative decisions you’ll ever make.

The Solo Hustle: Building Brilliantly—But Not Optimally

Before launching CCConsultancy—and even before founding my own business—I spent formative years working at a major UK department store. It was fast paced commercial machine, built on multiple defined roles and interconnected departments working towards one strategic goal. Buying teams worked with planners, marketers collaborated with store ops, and everyone contributed to a shared growth strategy.

That structure? It delivered results. Yes there was some creative tension and sometimes a scramble for resources but ultimately it showed me what was possible when expertise met execution.

Then came my own entrepreneurial chapter: The AC Boutique—a bold, independent concept store in Singapore that became the retail partner of over 70 product-based brands, alongside my own fashion label. It was beautiful, vibrant, and full of purpose. We championed emerging designers, ran community-led events, and carved out a loyal customer base both online and in-store.

And it worked. We grew, we sold, and we made an impact.

But—if I’m being honest with myself now—it could have worked even harder.

Because while I’d left the corporate structure behind, I hadn’t replaced it with anything. I was doing it all, yes, but without a wider strategic framework. There was no one to challenge my thinking, help me course-correct, or tighten the business model as we scaled.

With hindsight and complete honesty, I can see that The AC Boutique had the potential to grow into something even more powerful—not just financially, but in terms of how I experienced the business day to day. It was successful, yes—but it came at the cost of my time, headspace, and energy. The lack of strategic support meant I was constantly ‘on’, juggling everything, making every decision alone. If I’d had a coach or strategist back then, I know I could have built a more balanced version of success—one that didn’t rely so heavily on personal bandwidth and late nights, and one where the business served me, not the other way around.

That experience—the ambition, the chaos, the lessons—shapes everything I do now at CCConsultancy. Because I know first-hand that brilliance needs backing. Hustle alone doesn’t cut it.

Building With Support: Why Coaching Changed Everything

When I started CCConsultancy, I made a conscious decision to work differently. This time, I invested in a business coach. I built a structure around myself that allowed me to think big—but also act with clarity.

Working with a strategist didn’t replace my vision. It accelerated it.

I was finally able to:

• Prioritise the right actions (and ditch the ones just keeping me busy)
  
  

• Sharpen my pricing and product positioning
  
  

• Plan for profitability, not just pace
  
  

• Make decisions confidently, not reactively
  
  

And that’s what I now offer to others. But before the tools, the templates, the strategy sessions—I start with listening.

Every business has its own rhythm, its own backstory, and its own set of challenges. My first role as a consultant is to understand that. To hear what’s working, what’s not, and what you’re really trying to build. Strategy only works when it’s rooted in your real-world reality—not a copy-paste formula.

That’s how I ensure the support I give doesn’t just sound good on paper—it actually moves the needle.

Coaching Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All (And That’s the Magic)

A lot of business owners assume coaching means high-ticket 1:1 sessions or rigid group programmes. Not true.

There are plenty of flexible options that respect your time, your budget, and your preferred way of working. Whether you need quick clarity or long-term support, you can choose a format that works for you.

At CCConsultancy, our clients typically engage through:

• 1:1 Strategy Intensives – Power sessions for those sticky challenges like pricing resets, stock planning or product-market fit.
  
  

• Monthly Retainers – For business owners who want a consistent strategic partner who knows the ins and outs of their brand.
  
  

• Group Webinar Courses – High-impact learning environments for those who want expert guidance and a community of peers.

Why Coaching Accelerates Growth (Especially for Product-Based Brands)

If you’re running a product business, the mental gymnastics are real. You’re balancing stock, margins, marketing, pricing, presentation, and probably doing a bit of everything in between.

Without strategic support, it’s easy to fall into reaction mode. You’re so busy running the business that you stop growing it.

Coaching brings in a second set of eyes—a specialist who can:

• Spot gaps in your range or pricing
  
  

• Help you plan ahead, not just keep up
  
  

• Provide honest, experienced feedback
  
  

• Keep you accountable to your goals (not just your to-do list)
  
  

It’s not just about talking through problems. It’s about solving them in a way that moves your business forward—profitably and sustainably.

Real Growth. Real Results.

Let’s Find the Right Kind of Support for You

Whether you’re stuck on pricing, overwhelmed by stock, or itching to break into new markets—you don’t have to figure it all out solo.

At CCConsultancy, we offer support that’s built around how you work best. We know every founder is different. What you all have in common? A big vision that deserves structured support.

Your next step?

Take our free [Business Growth Fit Quiz] or book a free 20-minute discovery call. We’ll help you find the right service—whether it’s a one-off workshop, an intensive session, or a full consultancy programme.

Because your product business doesn’t need more hustle. It needs a plan, a partner, and the kind of support that starts by listening—and ends in real growth.