Building Strong Foundations
Create something significant on your own terms - right from the start
Finding Your Path
Remember that feeling when you first decided to start your own business? That powerful blend of excitement, possibility, and yes – perhaps a flutter of uncertainty?
You're here because you want to create something meaningful that reflects who you truly are. A business where you can apply your talents while maintaining autonomy over your time, income, and creative direction.
Hi, I’m Denyse and I understand this journey intimately.
When I left my CEO role, I was driven by a deep desire to create on my own terms. I wanted the freedom to shape my work around my values, to determine my own income path, and to build something that truly mattered – both to me and to the world.
The early days of business building are incredibly precious. This is when you're setting not just the practical foundations but the emotional and philosophical ones too. The choices you make now will shape everything that follows.
While most advice focuses solely on finding your first clients, there's a more powerful approach. By establishing thoughtful strategic foundations from the beginning, you can create a business designed for sustainable success – a business that supports your vision while honoring your values.
From My Experience to Yours
I will never forget my first morning as a fledgling entrepreneur. I commuted the 13 stairs to the back bedroom – home to my new business empire. With the house silent, save for the sparrows chirping outside my window, the thought struck me: 'What have I done?'
I quickly pushed such thoughts aside because I was fired with determination to succeed - and despite all my experience, blissfully ignorant of the work it would take to replace my CEO salary.
That journey taught me something crucial: starting strong isn't about having all the answers. It's about asking the right questions and creating foundations that align with your unique vision.
On this page, you'll find resources specifically designed to help you establish those foundations - from strategic insights that will help you position your business effectively to practical guidance on building your customer base. You'll also discover how other women have successfully navigated this early stage and the services I offer to support your journey.
CEO Secrets: Essential Insights for Early-Stage Founders
My blog, CEO Secrets, is brimming with resources specifically designed for women at your stage of business. Here's a selection of insights that might resonate with where you are right now:
Finding Your Strategic Sweet Spot
Discover how to identify the perfect intersection between your natural talents, market opportunity, and authentic purpose. This isn't about forcing yourself into a cookie-cutter business model, but creating something uniquely aligned with who you are and what you value.
Read here ->
Brand Strategy: Standing Out From Day One
Your brand isn't just your logo or colors – it's the strategic foundation that communicates your unique value. Learn how to develop a distinctive market position that naturally attracts your ideal clients or customers, even when you're just starting out.
Read here ->
Building Your Customer Base From Scratch
One of the most pressing questions for early-stage founders is how to find your first customers when you don't have an existing network or reputation in your field. Learn practical, values-aligned strategies for building a loyal customer base without resorting to pushy tactics or compromising your vision.
Read here ->
Financial Foundations: Creating Freedom Through Clarity
The path to financial autonomy starts with understanding exactly what you need – both personally and professionally. This practical guide walks you through establishing the financial clarity that enables confident decision-making during your crucial first year.
Read here ->
From Flea Markets to Fashion Empire: Starting Small with Purpose
Discover how Morgane Sézalory built Sézane, the B Corp certified French fashion brand, starting with nothing but passion and intuition. This inspiring journey from selling vintage finds on eBay to creating France's first online-only fashion brand illustrates how you can build something significant without fancy degrees, family connections, or venture capital—just by following your vision and staying true to your values.
Read here ->
Inspiration: A Founders Journey
From Pandemic Pivot to Sold-Out Success
When Lucia's fashion career plans collapsed in March 2020 due to the pandemic, she found herself at a crossroads. Rather than waiting for the industry to recover, she turned to her lifelong passion for ceramics and decided to build something on her own terms.
Starting with just a kiln in her spare room and a clear vision for creating pieces that brought both beauty and functionality into people's homes, Lucia created a collection that reflected her unique aesthetic and values.
By focusing on strategic foundations rather than rushing to market, Lucia developed a brand that stood out in a crowded marketplace. She carefully cultivated her unique style, built an authentic social media presence, and created a thoughtful customer experience from order to delivery.
The result? When she launched her first collection just before Christmas, it sold out within days. More importantly, she'd built a business that allowed her complete creative freedom and the opportunity to shape her work around her values.
READ LUCIA'S FULL STORY →
How I Support Early-Stage Founders
Through Purpose-Led Business Leadership, I offer guidance specifically designed for visionary women starting their entrepreneurial journey. My approach isn't about imposing rigid business plans or generic advice. Instead, I help you create strategic foundations that honor your unique vision while setting you up for sustainable success.
I understand that starting a business is personal – it's an expression of your values, talents, and aspirations. That's why my guidance is always tailored to your specific situation and goals.
Strategic Support For Your Journey
These services are particularly valuable for early-stage founders:
Strategic Clarity Session
Transform uncertainty into clear direction through this focused two-hour engagement. Perfect for when you're facing a specific challenge or decision point in your new business.
Learn more ->
Strategic Implementation Support
Build momentum through weekly accountability and guidance as you implement your foundations. This ongoing support ensures you maintain focus on what matters most during these crucial early stages.
Learn more ->
How I Support Early-Stage Founders
Through Purpose-Led Business Leadership, I offer guidance specifically designed for visionary women starting their entrepreneurial journey. My approach isn't about imposing rigid business plans or generic advice. Instead, I help you create strategic foundations that honor your unique vision while setting you up for sustainable success.
I understand that starting a business is personal – it's an expression of your values, talents, and aspirations. That's why my guidance is always tailored to your specific situation and goals.
Strategic Support For Your Journey
These services are particularly valuable for early-stage founders:
Strategic Clarity Session
Transform uncertainty into clear direction through this focused two-hour engagement. Perfect for when you're facing a specific challenge or decision point in your new business.
Learn more ->
Strategic Implementation Support
Build momentum through weekly accountability and guidance as you implement your foundations. This ongoing support ensures you maintain focus on what matters most during these crucial early stages.
Learn more ->
YOUR NEXT STEPS
The Definitive Guide to Building Strong Foundations
Ready to establish the strategic foundations your business needs to thrive? Download my complimentary guide created specifically for early-stage founders like you. You'll discover:
The three essential foundations that set your business up for sustainable growth
How to create financial clarity that supports confident decision-making
Simple systems that create immediate momentum without overwhelming complexity
Strategic frameworks that align your business with your authentic values
Real examples from women who've built substantial businesses from thoughtful beginnings