Worcestershire County Council’s mentoring initiative has provided a vital boost in confidence and strategic direction to business owners across the county, helping them to re-evaluate and strengthen their business plans.
One such success story is Wendy Garrett, founder of Garrett Learning, who credits the programme with transforming the future vision of her business.
After facing redundancy in 2020, Wendy launched Garrett Learning, a dynamic learning and development agency dedicated to empowering organisations by helping their teams reach their full potential through leadership, management, and mental health first aid courses.
Reflecting on her journey, Wendy Garrett, founder of Garrett Learning said, " I started Garrett Learning in July 2020 after being made redundant from a learning and development role. My business provides leadership and management courses, and mental health first aid courses. In November 2023 I undertook the mentoring sessions with Darren. Darren was extremely helpful in clarifying the direction I want to take Garrett Learning and exploring the possibilities for its future. He worked with me to create an 18-month plan, outlining the vision I have, how to set those goals, and the steps I need to take to achieve them."
Councillor Adam Kent, Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills at Worcestershire County Council, praised the Mentoring Worcestershire Programme, saying: "We offer a range of business support initiatives designed to help start-up and early-stage enterprises grow and thrive. These include start-up workshops, business coaching, mentorship, and grant funding to elevate business ideas to the next level.
“The Mentoring Worcestershire initiative is just one example of the vital support available to local businesses, enabling entrepreneurs like Wendy to confidently pursue their visions and expand their impact.”
If you’ve been inspired by Wendy's story, why not sign up for Worcestershire County Council’s business newsletter? Be the first to hear about new support offers to help you start or grow your business.