A Warwickshire-based former solicitor has launched a company which specialises in the coaching of lawyers – and has received some inspiration of her own from a regional business organisation.
Clare Harding Coaching was launched earlier this year after Clare gave up her coaching role for a national law firm and decided to go it alone.
Clare, who is a qualified coach with 20 years of experience in the legal profession, has been supported by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce as her business starts to take off.
Adviser John Fitzgerald carried out a full audit of the way Clare presented the business and also offered advice on online courses to attend that could help her continue to grow.
The support delivered by the Chamber, on behalf of Warwickshire County Council, forms part of the CW Business: Start, Grow and Scale programme which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Warwickshire County Council and all five District and Borough Councils.
That, coupled with Clare’s expertise and existing network of contacts, has seen the business make a strong start.
Clare said: “I really enjoy being a coach, but I wanted to do my own thing and not be tied to one firm.
“I can now work with individual lawyers and also for law firms. For individuals, I can partner with them to help them progress in their career and, when it comes to working with law firms, I can support them with wider staff development.
“It’s an issue that has become more and more important as firms are having to work harder to attract and retain staff so ensuring they are valued and being offered opportunities for development is critical.
“I’m now working with clients in London and I’ve also picked up business in Warwickshire too and the plan is to continue to grow.”
Clare added: “When I was deciding to launch, a friend said to me that I should contact the Chamber about support.
“Very quickly, there was a meeting set-up with John Fitzgerald and he’s been really supportive. He looked at the way I present the business and has come up with some fresh, new ideas that have helped me to consider the way I showcase what I do moving forward.
“The courses have also been very helpful – especially the creative content marketing session.
“It was an online course that lasted four hours, and it really held my attention for the whole time. I got so much out of it on what, how and when to post which has proved to be so valuable. It’s already led to me picking up work, which is great news.
“It’s been so valuable for so many reasons and I’d recommend contacting the Chamber for help if you are just starting out.”
Clare has joined up to the Chamber’s 22in22 Women in Business Mentoring Programme.
John said: “It has been great to support Clare in the early stages of her business, which has got off to an excellent start.
“I looked at all aspects of the business and could see straightaway that Clare was offering an amazing service to her clients.
“For me, it was about reflecting that back to her and helping to inspire her into taking the next steps as a business. I advised on which courses would suit Clare best to help the business grow and, because I’d got to know her, I could use my areas of expertise to give her ideas for the future too.”
Warwickshire County Council leader Cllr Izzi Secombe said: “I am delighted that the CW Business: Start, Grow and Scale programme has proved so valuable to Clare as she seeks to grow her business. The programme is an integral part of the wide range of support which WCC, along with our partners, offers to small business across the county and underlines our commitment to do all we can to sustain a strong local economy.”
The Chamber has a range of support for start-up businesses, whether you want to make your business idea a reality, or require advice on how to build your new business. For more information go to https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/business-support/business-start-up
For more information on Clare Harding Coaching go to http://www.clarehardingcoaching.com/
Pictured (left to right): John Fitzgerald (Chamber), Clare Harding, Hayley Lineker (Warwickshire County Council)