Hello, I'm Chris Dowling - professional business consultant and mentor, working with both establised and start-up businesses.

Owning and running a family business/SME is part of my DNA; I have more than 35 years hands on business experience. It’s difficult to think of a business challenge or problem that I haven’t faced and resolved for my own business or for the business owners I work for and support. Yes, 'I have been there and done it!'

My business background is in the highly comeptitive print and graphics industry, where I ran a busines with my brother for many years. At its peak, the business had sales close to £1 million per annum and employed 15 people. It was hard work, but I learnt a lot about busuiness and the demands of being your own boss. The market for print changed and the technology changed: times were changing. It was time for me to change, so I took my extensive business experience into the busines support and mentoring sector.

As a business consultant and mentor, I have cross-sector experience working with family businesses, start-ups, SMEs and established businesses.

I am a director of the Association of Business Mentors (ABM) – the professional association working to improve and professionalise business mentoring in the UK.

As your business mentor, I will support you and your business whatever stage you are at in your journey. I will be your 'sounding board' and critical friend', giving you accountability and a different perspective. Most importantly, I will help you achieve the success you deserve.

For start-up businesses, I will help you -
• Define your business goals
• Write your business plan and develop your strategy
• Identify areas to be developed and improved
• Formulate a sales and marketing plan
• Provide access and information about business finance
• Develop cash flow and financial planning strategies

For established and trading businesses which want to achieve growth, I help you move forward by -
• Developing your knowledge and skills
• Provide support with the opportunities and challenges you have
• Improve your customer service
• Expand your business network
• Formulate a sales and marketing plan
• Provide you with accountability
• Identify areas for business development

I live in rural East Sussex – and have a clear view of the beautiful South Downs from my back garden.

My brother and I started our own business in the print and graphics in my early 20s. We built and grew the business into a success story. Times changed, the industry changed and technology changed, so I changed and started my nearly 40 years of frontline business experience and knowledge to work as a business consultant and mentor.

Very much a ‘people person’, I understands what motivates and encourages business people to start up and drive their own business forward towards success.

I'm also a great (armchair!) sports fan, and with Premiership football club Brighton & Hove Albion on the doorstep I'm a keen fan. In the summer, sporting interest switches to Sussex County Cricket Club, where I've been a member for many years.

Let's make a date for a virtual coffee to talk about your plans and ideas and for me to tell you I can help and support you.
Click 'request' Virtual Coffee below to send me a message.