Five Months In: My Start‑Up Reality, Point‑Blank
It’s been half a year since I officially signed Cake Communications up at Companies House, yet every day feels like the start‑up rollercoaster I remember.
From meetings that feel like endless circles, to pitching, writing proposals, and the dreaded admin grind, my life has become a whirlwind of activity. A financial whiz partner handles the books, letting me focus on business development, hunting new clients, and steering our core vision.
What Good Leadership Looks Like
I’ve seen the dramatic difference that great leaders can make. On the flip side, weak bosses can grind down both people and progress. That’s why when I set out to launch my own company, I vowed to lean into inspiration, not indifference. Investing in my own leadership skills was a no‑brainer from day one.
Charles Darwin once said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” In a communications world that’s shifting faster than a TikTok trend—traditional media fading, digital explosions, and fragmented channels—adaptation is the lifeline.
My Leadership Quest
Throughout my career, I’ve watched leaders become so wrapped up in delivering day‑to‑day that they neglect their own growth. That stagnation ripples out, hurting teams and stunting the business’s potential. I’ve also worked under leaders who ignited my passion and gave me a purpose to rally behind. These experiences shaped my ambition: real, actionable leadership training.
Everyone warned me I was “crazy” for pursuing this path, but their skepticism only sharpened my resolve—thanks for the pep talk!
Enter the 20 Twenty Program
Instead of a purely theoretical course, I chose the 20 Twenty programme by the Cardiff School of Management at Cardiff Metropolitan University. A 10‑month sprint combining workshops, action learning groups, master‑classes, mentoring, and coaching, the goal is to craft a three‑year growth strategy. This practical, outcomes‑first approach set it apart for me.
So far, every moment has been a highlight. Even amid the chaos of day‑to‑day, stepping away to meet fellow entrepreneurs who genuinely care about scaling their businesses has been electrifying.
Key takeaways so far
- Sharpening coaching skills.
- Developing new strategies for tough scenarios.
- Building a network of like‑minded founders.
- Winning a speed‑networking challenge (not a surprise, given my wandering business field).
The most delightful part? Meeting seasoned entrepreneurs who, after two decades running their “babies,” decide to invest in themselves. They prove it’s never too late to hit the books, admit you’re clueless, and grow.
As John F. Kennedy put it: “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” And that rings true, now more than ever.