My Journey That Led Me Here – Using Mentors and Coaches

Leanne Bonner-Cooke MBE

Could I have been as successful on my journey without mentors and coaches? The answer is no!

I started my career as an accountant in 1986. I am dyslexic and did not enjoy education at all. I left school with a couple of O’ Levels, but one thing is for sure: I always had that entrepreneurial spirit. From working at the chip shop, marking up papers in the local paper shop, working behind a bar, to thinking I was the DJ at Woolworths, I always wanted to make money and would turn my hand to anything. When I first started as an accountant full-time, I earned less than all my part-time jobs, and to top it off, I had to start paying board! How was that fair?

But I was given an opportunity, and I trained as an accountant while working and became qualified in 1991. This wouldn’t have been possible if someone hadn’t identified my talent and decided to invest time and money in me – my mentor. I then transitioned into IT, as I had a passion for business transformation using technology and software. I mean, which dyslexic wouldn’t want to use technology that could spell for you?

I then pursued a corporate career in IT, undertaking many different roles, from Project Manager, Business Analyst, to Head of Business Solutions. During that journey, I had mentors within the organisations I worked for. I made it my business to find the person I aspired to be like and asked them to mentor me. You will be surprised; if we ask for help, normally the answer is YES.

In 2007, I decided to leave the corporate world and set up my own business, Evolve-IT Consulting Limited, a bespoke software development company. I had the help and support of an executive at the business I was working in. I was made redundant, which helped with the setup, and that company became my first customer! It’s all about relationships. I had never run a business before; how did it work? How do you become successful? How do you do EVERYTHING! I used mentors, both free and paid for, and I networked like crazy. It was rarely about my business capability; people were always willing to help, and I still had my lifelong mentors from the corporate world. The struggles I had were with self-doubt and limiting beliefs. I used coaches to help develop me personally, to change my thinking, to give me strategies. I now realise that we are not alone when we are at the top of our game, and let’s face it, none of us have ever done tomorrow!

In 2018, I set up e-bate Limited, the supplier of a SaaS Intelligent Rebate Management solution, where I raised over £5M of funds to build the business. I had entered a world that I knew nothing about. Of course, I needed help, both personally and professionally; this is not a one-off! We face different challenges throughout our journey that we need support with. In 2019, I was fundraising for the business and was diagnosed with breast cancer! What now? What choice? I decided that I had to carry on. I was a successful CEO of two businesses. I had put my heart and soul into them; there was no way I was going to let them fail. I took two weeks off for surgery and then worked every single day throughout my treatment! Are you mad? I can hear you shouting. But that was my choice; I didn’t want to feel sorry for myself. It was another battle I had to fight!

A year later, I did decide it was a little too much and sold Evolve-IT Consulting Ltd in a company buy-back so I could focus on e-Bate. This came with a new set of challenges. Whilst I had a board, I didn’t feel I had the personal relationships to be able to expose my soul! Again, I had a couple of different coaches: one to work on the business with me, as I have always believed that your people are your best assets. Treat them well and understand them, and you will go a long way. See The People Reader. I also had a personal coach for when things were tough, when I felt out of my depth, and when I sometimes struggled to find my purpose. I stepped down as the CEO of e-Bate in June 2023 but continued to be a major shareholder. That was tough, leaving your business in the hands of others, something you have put your heart and soul into, significant sums of money, time, energy, and emotion. Could I just walk away? No, again, I had a couple of different sources of support. I initially went on a technology detox as I was addicted to my phone, answering emails all hours of the day and night, dealing with problems, raising investment, and supporting the team. I had to rediscover my purpose and rationalise with myself that I had created something to support my future. Now suddenly, that wasn’t there anymore. I had lost confidence and trust in people. I needed rebuilding with the help of a coach.

My ethos has always been People, Process, and Technology, with a strong and determined drive for business success through the leadership and development of people. I have developed two award-winning tech businesses and was awarded an MBE for Services to Women in Business and Technology in 2018. With over 35 years’ experience in senior corporate roles and the Founder/CEO of two businesses, being a CEO is a lot of responsibility. You are at the top of your game with nowhere to go. It’s a bloody lonely life!

That’s why I now want to help others achieve success. Removing limiting beliefs, understanding what motivates you as an individual, understanding your purpose, and allowing you to follow your dreams. Once you understand yourself, you can then understand your teams and how to get the best out of them.

No one has lived this life before or walked in your shoes. We are all different. But one thing I absolutely know is that through collaboration, being kind, transparent, and fair, and of course, using mentors and coaches, this journey becomes a whole lot easier!