Why I do what I do
I am passionate about seeing people grow, turning dreams into great businesses or careers, fulfilling at many different levels for themselves and their families, their communities, creating a better and more beautiful world.
I am very interested in working with professionals to develop creative and innovative ways of learning, financing, working and doing business together.
What I do
I am a business adviser, trainer, coach and mentor for professional and passionate creative and social entrepreneurs, focusing on business development, marketing and sales.
I love working online, with all the flexibility, creativity and international reach that that offers – for my clients, and myself.
I enjoy group coaching with new sole traders and freelancers due to the accountability and creativity that comes from working as a group.
I love working with more established designers and crafts people to become their trusted partner and sounding board, to challenge their ideas of what’s possible, and to create a business that really works for them.
How I work
As an adviser I teach people skills and give you practical answers in how to do business planning, marketing, business modelling, selling.
As a coach I ask the big questions so that you can create step-by-step the business that you really want. I will help you to identify all the opportunities and get clarity when you are juggling too many things at once. I will challenge you to stop talking and get into action creating something bigger than you thought was possible. Yes, I will get you out of your comfort zone!
As a mentor I share with you my own up and down experiences as a director of a small company.
I recently have written The Design Trust Guide to Start & Run a Successful Craft Business.
If you want to work with me you can register for The Design Trust Get Clients Now! group coaching programme, or you can contact me on patricia at thedesigntrust.co.uk to develop or run workshops or any (online) training programmes.
I do very little 1-2-1 creative business advice or coaching these days, as I am focussing all my time and energy in the development of The Design Trust!
My story
Combining creativity, entrepreneurship and people management was probably always in my genes, with a creative mum who ran a gift shop and a senior business executive as a dad.
Having graduated in Graphic Design in Belgium and Arts Management in the Netherlands, I came to London in the mid 1990′s. Ever since then I have worked in business development, training, advice and marketing. I have worked at the Crafts Council, Design Nation/New Designers in Business, product design Studio Levien, Cultural Industries Development Agency (CIDA) in East London, and creative investment and high growth development consultancy Pembridge Partners.
I live in North London with my husband (a graphic designer and typographer) and two young daughters. In the limited spare time that I have got I enjoy reading management and marketing books, growing my own vegetables in our garden, and having fun in the playground or on our bikes.
I am a member of Social Enterprise London and The Hub Islington for social entrepreneurs, I am a mentor for School for Creative Startups and a small but keen investor in creative female entrepreneurs in the developing world through KIVA
You can find my up to date profile and CV on Linked In