Yesterday I attended my third networking and course event as the founder of design pitch — the Growth Leaders taster event, held at Exeter Science Park. I heard about it on Event Brite.
Why is it when the event is so close you are up against it time-wise? Or is it just me?! Ha. Must live life on the edge.
This session was designed specifically for leaders in the digital, tech, and creative industries, and the focus was a taster on helping us increase clarity, control, and confidence in how we run our businesses. I went in curious and worried slightly, to see how my micro business experience would sit alongside the room of leaders from businesses turning over £100k to £1.5m.
First impressions
The room was led by charismatic facilitators Anthony Story (Aka Gary Linekar) and Paul Tansey (Aka Alan Shearer), each bringing energy, experience, and a clear sense of purpose. They framed the session around seven critical systems every leader needs to have a handle on — from sales and marketing through to operational processes. Love a spider chart.
What struck me early was the honesty in the room (signing an NDA also helps) Leaders talked openly about the challenges of running businesses: bottlenecks, processes that don’t scale, and the stress that comes with growth. It reminded me that no matter the size of your business, the fundamentals are the same.
My takeaways
The biggest shift for me was around the idea of working on the business, not just in it. It is easy for me, as founder of design pitch, to become the bottleneck, the one doing most tasks. Growth Leaders pressed the point that systems are not a luxury, they are survival. They also give you freedom.
My key reminders:
→ Measure where you are now against benchmarks, because you cannot fix what you cannot see.
→ Processes create freedom, not restriction. When they are world-class and invincible, they actually remove stress.
→ Leadership is about carving out space for clarity, even when you are juggling. Keep exposing yourself to courses like this.
Why it mattered to me
As a micro business founder, I noticed again that I was one of the few without a big team or significant turnover behind me. But I also realised the conversations still applied. The principles of protecting the business, systemising, and creating headspace are just as vital for me as they are for someone scaling past a million.
It felt like a roadmap to prioritise my next improvements, but also a call to action to hold myself accountable and find the reason for not working for someone and where I will be in ten years. What do I actually want for myself?
The energy of the room
The real strength of the day came from the group itself, and the biscuits I had at 12. The facilitators created a space where leaders could connect and learn from one another. That energy matters. It reminded me of something I am quickly learning: being in the room and making friends amongst peers is not optional, it is how you survive and thrive.
Final thoughts
I left with a clearer sense of where design pitch sits now and the gaps I need to address to grow sustainably. More importantly, I left with connections, ideas, and the reassurance that every leader, no matter the size of their business, wrestles with the same pressures. Cash flow, no system or gaps in knowledge. These stories align with the balance I call the golden triangle of ‘People, Process and Technology PPT’.
One quote stayed with me: “Treat your business like an engine. Create a manual for it.”
I want to thank the guys for an enjoyable morning. If you want to find out more about what Growth Leaders do, just head over to their website.
This was my third event, and there will be more to come. Each one is an investment, not just in design pitch, but in myself as its founder.
