Brains Trust
An unofficial Board of Directors for your small business.
There are a million reasons why every good business owner should have a group of trusted, close advisers on hand to provide honest and genuine support. But during years of mentoring business owners, we’ve heard these four reasons over and over:
- “It’s really hard to take a step back and look at my business critically, sometimes I’d like someone else to offer me fresh perspectives.”
- “I don’t have time to be an expert in everything – from marketing, websites, IT, accounting and invoicing.”
- “It’s easy to get stuck with the same ‘to do’ list for months on end when I’m not accountable to anyone but myself.”
- “Sometimes, it’s scary asking for help or advice, I want to talk to people I can trust.”
Carving out time to work on your business, not in your business isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
Whether you’ve been in business for six months or six years, joining a Brains Trust group with like-minded business owners lets you take time out each month to reflect on your business, receive opinions, advice and critiques and give your expertise and time to support other business owners.
What is a Brains Trust?
Your Brains Trust is a group of five local business owners who understand what it’s like to run a small business. In a confidential and supportive environment, you’ll meet monthly to discuss your wins, losses and challenges.
Each member brings a range of experience and skills to the group, so you’ll be able to share insights, ask questions and talk about what you want to achieve – and most importantly, be held accountable for those goals.
How does it work?
When you’re ready to improve and build your business, and support other local business owners, simply fill in the application form below.
Once we receive your e-mail, we’ll meet to go through your answers and talk through your current goals and challenges. You’ll then be matched to other keen business owners to create a Brains Trust that’s ideally suited to you.
We’re currently offering an introductory price of $545 +GST to join a Brains Trust for 12 months.
What do I get for this?
- Your own Brains Trust! Four other business owners who are keen to improve their business, as well as yours.
- Tried and tested guidelines and processes to help your Brains Trust succeed.
- A confidential interview to determine what you want from your group in order to be matched with the right people.
- A two-hour business planning session with an experienced facilitator to determine your goals for the year.
- Access to professional development opportunities throughout the year.
Any more questions? Head over to our FAQ section first, or contact us.
My Brains Trust has given me the support to expand my business in ways I’d never have the confidence to do on my own.
I can’t express enough how this group, through leaning, trusting and learning from each other has helped my business immensely.
My Brains Trust has relieved the stress of ‘bringing home’ work to discuss with my partner – now we can talk about us, home issues and children, anything – not my business all the time!
Having owned and managed small businesses for over 15 years now, I have greatly benefitted from being involved in a Brains Trust group. Running a business can be overwhelming and lonely, with perceptions not always meeting reality. A regular meeting with like-minded people who you trust and admire means that you feel supported and on track. It is also a time to work on your business, when so often you’re just in it trying to get through the days and weeks. Having a team behind you who want to see you grow and improve is absolutely priceless and really keeps you accountable.
Thank you for introducing me to a wonderful group. Our monthly catch-up allows me to stop, focus and evaluate where I’m heading from not only a business perspective, but also from a personal point of view. Bringing our experiences and knowledge together, we not only guide and support each other to achieve our business goals, but also too, that of our personal ambitions – which in today’s business climate, our personal health and wellbeing often takes precedence to our business!
Would you like your own Brains Trust? Apply below.
FAQs
After the 12 month commitment, you can continue with your group for however long you want.
You may want a new group member; you may want us to help you find them (we may have the right person waiting).
You may want to join a new group. Let’s decide at the end of the year.
Sure you can. We would be happy to work with you and your group to manage guidelines and expectations, so everyone is on the same page.
It just depends how many people apply/have applied and are waiting to be placed in a group.
If we have a waitlist, it may not take long at all. You will have to meet Bryley for your introduction meeting before being placed in a group.
This Brains Trust is for business owners only. If you are a part-time business owner, and are willing to commit the time, then apply and we can place you in the right group.
For a group of five, 2-3 hours is best to allow everyone to speak.
Finer details will be worked out at your first meeting, guided by our Brains Trust organiser.
Five members in each group
It’s up to you. The first meeting will be held at Friendly Savage HQ.
We have a number of suitable places for private meetings, or you may have your own.