My journey was no longer about fitting my work to a certain target market or commercial venture but actually finding the emotion to why I create the artworks I do and therefore connecting with the people who believe in my why and then will invest in my journey.  

During our sessions we worked on clarifying what Brooke Walker Fine art was really about, set actionable goals for the future and worked on building my confidence as a business person. The sessions are challenging at times, as Duncan doesn’t shy away from the tough questions, but this is where the growth occurs.  

Duncan has truly helped me to find my voice. I have more confidence both personally and in business and I am excited about what the future holds for Brooke Walker Fine Art.

Brooke Walker – Artist & Business Owner

While I was confident in my ability as an entertainer I was unsure of whether I had what it took to go full time especially at the young age of 57!

Duncan spoke to me about doing what the Acapulco cliff divers do – a leaping off a cliff knowing that while daunting at the start the water would cover the rocks below when they landed. Duncan was confident that I had what it took to make my business a success and it was his confidence along with my wife and family’s support convinced me to ‘jump off my cliff’!

In my working life I had acquired sales and marketing skills and yet I still doubted my ability. The sessions I had with Duncan reinforced to me that if others in my network believed that I could then surely I must believe it too.

The sessions challenged my thinking and established new disciplines that I need to embrace to ensure I had a solid grounding for my new business to grow from. I needed to prepare for this growth and understand that as a business owner I had to remain focussed on why the business was started in the first place and the evolution that would occur as the business changed to take on new opportunities.

To have Duncan as my mentor has allowed me to take the first step in my own business with confidence, put a business plan in place that makes sense and by sticking to the plan be able to work on the business as well as in the business.

After 18 months my business has evolved from where it started and the future is looking very exciting with national and international opportunities being explored.

I have Duncan and his Dare to Dream business coaching and mentoring to thank!

Andrew Ormandy – Owner

The personal and business benefits gained from coaching with Duncan have been invaluable. He challenged our attitudes and thinking, focusing not only on business goals but more importantly what purpose it provides for our lives. Duncan understood the problems we were seeing, assisted us to find options for change, and provided insightful feedback which energised our enthusiasm.

He helped us establish priorities, processes and to sharpen our focus on our ‘best fit’ market. With problems that previously seemed repetitively insurmountable, we have been able to find solutions which have built our problem solving skills and in turn added confidence to our decision making.

Our renewed confidence and enthusiasm resulted in us improving the financial performance of the business through finding the ‘right’ clients and improving the way we service them.

We thoroughly recommend Duncan as a resource which will ‘lift’ your business

Gary & Di Jackson– Owner’s

How do I follow up with people? – were continual barriers. I wasn’t sure if I was on the right path and I wasn’t sure where my passion lied and that was affecting my day to day productivity.

Through my six sessions with Duncan, he challenged me to get to the core of my motivation and hence see new possibilities for where I could take my business. I learnt about sales techniques, explored new markets for my services and set both professional and personal goals for the coming weeks, months and years.

After just a few sessions with Duncan I began to secure more meetings with high profile clients and now each month is better than the last (and the books can’t lie!).

Laura Tolson – Owner

He challenged my thinking about business and provided opportunities for self reflection along the way. He is a heartfelt person with a genuine interest in people and particularly those in small business.

Helen Roberts – Owner

Mission accomplished. However what followed shortly thereafter was a realisation, a “light bulb” moment. What I really needed was for Duncan to challenge me to find answers to questions around my role within the company, why was I here and why did I want to stay? In other words to help by coaching me to clarify the purpose of my job, what choices I have and whether or not these are aligned with my life goals.

Duncan used Socratic questioning to shift my thinking from strategy (head) to passion (heart) and back again. In this way I reframed how what I’m doing now contributes to my ultimate goal of working for an employer who really values the well-being of staff and their customers and who enables me to plan for retirement whilst still being completely engaged in my role along the way. At each step Duncan checked in with me to ensure that I maintained a commitment to change.

Richard Brown

In working with Duncan, he encouraged us to always find our own answers to the challenges we face.   We developed an understanding of why we are passionate about the business.  We were motivated to define our roles and intentions for the business.  In this way we renewed our passion for the business and learned a better way to communicate with each other, the team and our family.

 

The outcome from the coaching is that we are acting as business owners, who can communicate about what is needed now as well as into the future.  We have a clear vision about who we are and why we want to continue in business rather than work for someone else.  Our vision for the business is clear and defined.  We know whilst it is not essential to have all the answers, it is vital we understand and enjoy the journey.

Cathy & Justin Lunnay – Business Owners

The funny thing is, I didn’t realise what was really important to me until Duncan opened my mind and made me focus on what I wanted to achieve as a mum, a wife, a friend and a business woman.

The way Duncan challenged my way of thinking has opened my mind to the realisation as to what is critically important to the way I run my business. I cannot thank him enough for his criticisms and encouragements, even though at times some things were a little hard to hear- it was exactly what I needed.

I am continuing my relationship with Duncan and would encourage all others to allow him into your work life- as I can honestly say that he will open your mind to a whole new world of how you can achieve your dreams.

Kelsie Prowse – Business Owner

The funny thing is, I didn’t realise what was really important to me until Duncan opened my mind and made me focus on what I wanted to achieve as a mum, a wife, a friend and a business woman.

The way Duncan challenged my way of thinking has opened my mind to the realisation as to what is critically important to the way I run my business. I cannot thank him enough for his criticisms and encouragements, even though at times some things were a little hard to hear- it was exactly what I needed.

I am continuing my relationship with Duncan and would encourage all others to allow him into your work life- as I can honestly say that he will open your mind to a whole new world of how you can achieve your dreams.

Kelsie Prowse – Business Owner

The workshop wasn’t what I thought it would be (I was hoping to pick up a few clients) but I enjoyed it and accepted an offer from Duncan to meet for coffee. The coffee lasted over 2 hours (I don’t think that happens often) and I received more information and thought provoking stuff than I have in some of the day courses I attended.

That was several months ago, and when Duncan left another coaching firm to set up on his own I went with him.

Was I looking for a business coach? Kind of. I had created my business but I wasn’t really enjoying it. Which is kind of daft when you think about it! I hadn’t put any strategies in place for my business long term and I was looking for answers.

For me, I have achieved clarity about my business, my business model (is not the same as every other website designer and I don’t want it to be), and he keeps me on track. He challenges my thinking and my words. I am enjoying my business now and clients are finding me easily.

If your business isn’t where you want it to be, contact Duncan.

Karen Leslie – Business Owner

Duncan is by nature a very positive person. By questioning and encouraging me to look within I was able to identify or affirm my personal goals, motives, skills and fears.

We had considered opening another retail store. Duncan instilled in us the confidence to step out of the meeting room and finally take action.

I have felt more confident and empowered as a result of Duncan’s guidance. He encourages self-determination and self-assessment. He energises and galvanises self confidence. We contribute much of our success to Duncan’s competent business coaching. His services are an important investment for any business owner.

Di Taylor – Owner