From Clarity to Success: A Journey of Growth and Focus with Clare Yarwood-White, Founder of Opal & Co
Clare Yarwood-White, Founder of Opal & Co, used New Beginnings to push her outside of her comfort zone. The result? She earned more money and won big brand clients without having to work harder than she was already.
Opal & Co Founder, Clare Yarwood-White, is a small business owner with a distinct skill set, providing a brand writing service that helps businesses and individuals communicate their stories. Clare is also a New Beginnings alum, having experienced the small business accelerator and mentoring program for aspiring entrepreneurs.
In this Q&A, Clare shares how New Beginnings helped her gain clarity and niche her business to focus on her passion for writing in the arts and heritage sector.
Inspiration Space: What inspired you to join New Beginnings, and how did it help you grow your business?
Clare: Before joining New Beginnings, my business was established and profitable, but I lacked clarity on the direction and focus of my business. I wanted to bring my distinct style of writing, which combines commercial acumen and creativity, to a sector that I'm passionate about - arts and heritage. With the guidance and support of experienced professionals and a peer group of entrepreneurs, New Beginnings helped me gain clarity, niche my business, and focus on its core services. The program also provided me with resources and guidance to navigate the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship, and a community of business owners and entrepreneurs.
IS: What was the most valuable lesson you learned from New Beginnings, and how have you applied it to your business?
Clare: The most valuable lesson I learned from New Beginnings is the importance of niching my business and focusing on its core services. With the clarity I gained, I was able to work with more ambitious, higher-profile clients, such as Ottolenghi, Dame Stephanie Shirley, and David Austin Roses, which helped me to grow and succeed in the arts and heritage sector. The program also taught me the value of mentorship and community, and I continue to apply these lessons to my business today.
Because of Inspiration Space, I have a place to ground my plans for the future. When I’m working out where to go next, there are plenty of bright minds with new ideas to add to the pot.
Being a member is such an enriching experience. My ambition keeps stretching and now I want to double my turnover!
IS: What advice would you give to entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses and push beyond their comfort zones?
Clare: My advice to entrepreneurs is to take the leap and invest in yourself and your business. Don't be afraid to niche your business and focus on its core services, and surround yourself with a community of experienced professionals and like-minded entrepreneurs who can support and encourage you on your journey.
Remember to stay focused on your vision and persevere through the ups and downs of starting and growing a business, and never stop learning and growing as an entrepreneur.
Six Key Lessons Learned
Going from clarity to success in entrepreneurship often involves gaining a clear understanding of the direction and focus of the business, as well as niching the business and focusing on core services. As evidenced from Clare's personal development and business growth, with this clarity, entrepreneurs can work with higher-profile clients, which can lead to growth and success.
At the same time, seeking out mentorship and community support can provide invaluable guidance and resources to help navigate the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship.
It's also important to stay focused on the vision, persevere through the ups and downs, and continue learning and growing as an entrepreneur. By taking these steps, entrepreneurs can turn clarity into success.
Here's a quick re-cap of six lessons Clare learned:
- Niching your business and focusing on its core services can help you work with more ambitious, higher-profile clients, which can lead to growth and success.
- Mentorship and community can provide invaluable support and guidance on your entrepreneurial journey.
- Utilising small business accelerator programs can provide validation of your business ideas, business pivoting support, and business plan development.
- Don't be afraid to take the leap and invest in yourself and your business, even if you lack clarity on the direction and focus of your business.
- Stay focused on your vision and persevere through the ups and downs of starting and growing a business.
- Passion for a project can inspire innovation and creativity, leading to success and growth.
New Beginnings by Inspiration Space provides business mentorship, small business accelerator, validating business ideas, business pivoting, and business plan development to help entrepreneurs navigate the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship and focus on the core services of their business.
It is a supportive online community for entrepreneurs that encourages network building and collaboration. Find out how New Beginnings can ensure you minimise business risks and accelerate your success.
