The NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator programme and your pet business with Sophie Gowling

Are you thinking of taking part in the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator programme which supports businesses looking to grow?If so, this podcast interview with Sophie Gowling, Enterprise Acceleration Manager for NatWest will give you all the information you need.You’ll learn what the programme is, the four pillars of support, who it’s for, what coaching is, how it can support your pet business and more.For the last six months, I’ve been part of the Accelerator and I share my personal experience of how it’s helped me launch my Pets Get Visible membership and work on other areas in my business and life too.Applications for the current round are open until Febraury 27th but it is an ongoing programme that opens every six months, so head to the NatWest website to learn when the next cohort begins.Key topics and timings in this episode:0.20 - Introduction to the episode.2.46 - Sophie’s background and how she became part of the accelerator team.5.46 - What the programme is and the four pillars of support.9.01 - How members of the programme support one another and the benefits of peer support.9.36 - Why it’s not all scary men in suits and top hats and what to expect if you join.12.27 - Access to funding and how this is possible.16.08 - What coaching is and how having a sounding board helps when growing your pet business.16.48- The difference between peer to peer coaching and group coaching.18.32 - My experience of coaching and how it’s like a game of snakes and ladders.20.41 - The benefit in taking time to pause and talk about where you are in your business, the plates you have spinning and why you do what you do.22.17 - Why I joined the programme and how it helped me launch my Pets Get Visible programme.25.40 - The power of coaching and accountability.29.51 - Sophie’s advice for pet business owners considering taking part.31.23 - How to apply for the programme.Links mentioned in this episode:Applications are open for the latest round until February 27th, and the programme runs twice each year, starting in March and September.To apply, visit: https://www.natwest.com/business/business-services/entrepreneur-accelerator.htmlConnect with Sophie Gowling on LinkedInLearn more about Pets Get Visible, my Accelerator project and mini-membership: Is my Pets Get Visible membership right for you? Connect with me in my free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/publicitytipsforpetbusinessesCheck out my pet blog and soon to be directory at www.thepawpost.co.uk