MENTORING CATCHUP WITH In 2023, we continue to work with UKFinance and the highstreet banks to provide mentoring services to new and existing business owners across the country. We had an opportunity to talk with Becca McClure and Anastasia Georgiou, who started their mentoring journey back in 2020 and have been in regular contact since. It was brilliant to get to know more about their mentoring relationship, how it has helped Becca and her business, and how it pushed Anastasia to develop her mentoring skills. Each mentoring relationship we have heard about is unique, naturally, and yet they all sound so rewarding and beneficial. Becca is the co-owner of North Sky Yurts, which is a female founded, eco conscious yurt and bell tent hire business based in Leeds. The business launched in October 2020 and has been growing ever since. Becca set up the
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business, whilst still in full time employment. One day during lockdown, she was made redundant. Becca chose to take this as an opportunity to focus more on her business. Being made redundant isn’t ideal for anyone, but this extra time gave Becca a chance to plan out her idea and really hit the ground running. She sought out a mentor and was matched with Anastasia who was there as a sounding board for Becca’s ideas and challenges. Becca said it was really useful to get that external point of view and for someone to point out some logistical challenges Becca may face along the way. It was also great to