FORMER CEO. STRATEGIC ADVISOR. CHAMPION FOR WOMEN-LED BRANDS.

Building Unforgettable Brands Through Strategic Vision

A closeup photo of Denyse Whillier, Strategic Business Coach and former CEO in Hove

Hi, I'm Denyse. As a business coach and strategic advisor, I help women build trusted, independent brands that stand the test of time.

Drawing from 25+ years of executive leadership experience, I bring CEO-level strategic guidance to women building values-led businesses. Having led complex organizations through significant transformation, I understand firsthand what it takes to build something sustainable and meaningful. Today, I help ambitious founders align growth with their values, breaking through barriers while building strong brand reputations.

From my own journey of transition to supporting numerous female founders, I've learned that building a business aligned with your values isn't just possible - it's the key to sustainable success.

FROM CEO TO STRATEGIC ADVISOR

When I left my CEO role, I knew I wanted to create something meaningful on my own terms.

Like many women I work with today, I craved the freedom to align my work fully with my values. Taking a year-long sabbatical, I trained as a mentor with the Institute of Enterprise & Entrepreneurs, working with six early-stage women-owned businesses. This experience revealed something powerful: women entrepreneurs needed more than just business basics - they needed strategic guidance that understood both their ambitions and their values.

My journey from CEO to business coach has deepened my understanding of what women face when building independent brands. I've experienced firsthand the challenges of transition, the importance of maintaining confidence through change, and the power of creating sustainable systems for growth.

Recently, my study of permaculture has reconnected me with my roots in International Development, reinforcing my belief that the most sustainable businesses, like the most sustainable systems in nature, are built on strong foundations and grow in harmony with their values.

Throughout my journey, one thing became starkly clear: women's stories were missing from the business narrative. While bookshelves overflowed with male entrepreneurs advocating high-risk, aggressive growth strategies, I searched in vain for stories that reflected how women actually build sustainable businesses. Where were the founders who prioritized steady growth and strong values? The women creating independent brands that would stand the test of time?

This gap inspired me to launch We Are Mimosa, a weekly magazine dedicated to telling the untold stories of women building unforgettable brands. Every week, I share in-depth profiles of female founders who are breaking through barriers while staying true to their values. These stories do more than inspire - they show what's possible when women lead with purpose.

Today, my work combines strategic business coaching with amplifying women's success stories, drawing on expertise gained from both running complex organizations and helping numerous female founders build sustainable brands.

My approach focuses on six key areas:

Strategic Growth Planning

Transform your vision into reality with clear, actionable strategies. Using proven CEO-level frameworks adapted for your business, we'll create sustainable pathways for growth that align with your values.

Financial Strategy & Planning

Gain clarity and confidence in your numbers. Develop sustainable financial foundations and growth strategies that support your vision while ensuring long-term business success.

Brand Development & Positioning

Build an unforgettable brand that captivates your ideal clients. Learn how to articulate your unique value and create a strong brand reputation that stands the test of time.

Systems & Operations

Build robust, sustainable systems that support long-term success. Create scalable operations and processes that maintain brand quality while enabling smooth, consistent growth.

Leadership & Team Development

Step confidently into leadership as your business grows. Create strong frameworks that help you build and inspire high-performing teams while maintaining authentic values-led culture.

Purpose-led Growth

Align business growth with your values and vision. Develop breakthrough strategies that help you scale confidently while building an enduring brand that makes a meaningful impact.

From Vision to Thriving Brand: A Peek Behind the Scenes 

Discover how strategic guidance helped this wedding florist transform her creative passion into a sustainable business while staying true to her artistic vision.

"Working with Denyse helped me see beyond the day-to-day of running my business. Her strategic guidance gave me the confidence to raise my prices, streamline my offerings, and build a business that's both creatively fulfilling and financially sustainable. I've doubled my revenue while actually working less."

CEO-Level Experience That Makes the Difference

My journey from CEO to business coach has given me a unique perspective on what it takes to build something sustainable and meaningful. The skills I developed leading complex organizations now help women founders navigate their own growth journeys with confidence.

Strategic Vision & Implementation: As CEO, I led organisations through significant transformation, managing budgets up to £10 million and teams exceeding 150 people. Today, I help founders develop clear strategic vision and practical implementation plans that drive sustainable growth.

Building Protected Spaces: I learned the importance of creating environments where teams could thrive, even during challenging transitions. Now I help women founders build strong foundations and supportive systems that enable sustainable growth while preserving what makes their brands special.

Financial Acumen & Growth: My experience securing significant funding and managing complex budgets translates directly into helping founders develop financial confidence and sustainable growth strategies.

Want to learn more about my approach to business coaching? [Link] Read about how I help women build unforgettable brands →

READY FOR YOUR NEXT STEP?

Book a consultation to discuss your vision, or explore more founder stories first.