DBA Twenty/Twenty pairs rising industry leaders with established design pioneers for a 12-month one-to-one mentoring relationship. Applications for the 2019 programme are open until Friday 23 November 2018 so why not think about what you need right now, or what you can give. Find out more and apply.
Main Content
27/09/2018
A Twenty/Twenty mentee on the programme’s value
Helen Fairley co-founded 6-2 design with her husband Aaron back in 2010, in the height of the recession, with no experience of the web design industry whatsoever. Having gone from working side by side at home and leading clients down to their ‘office’ (the cellar), they now lead a team of nine.
In this two minute read, Helen explains how the DBA’s Twenty/Twenty mentoring programme has significantly benefited their business.Â
Why did you decide to get involved in the Twenty/Twenty 
mentoring programme?
My specific business challenge was improving business development. In a more general sense, I also wanted to benefit from the knowledge and experience of someone who’s already gone through what I’ve gone through – who could help me navigate tricky or unknown situations.
How would you sum up the experience?
Brilliant – so glad I signed up. I didn’t just get great advice and insights that helped me to improve key areas of the business, but also the ability to confide in someone who I trusted and who knew my business, but was outside of it – meaning they could offer advice from a rational and unbiased perspective. It also ‘forces’ you to work on the things that are important but not necessarily urgent – because you don’t want to to turn up to a meeting and say ‘sorry I haven’t done my homework’!
What impact have you seen on your business?
Improved sales, improved customer retention, help and advice on people/team issues.
What, if anything, has surprised you about the programme?
How good value for money it is. The fact this is a volunteering position for your mentor also means they’re not in it for any other reason other than they genuinely want to help.
What would you say to someone who was undecided as to whether they should get involved with Twenty/Twenty?
Do it. It will get you working on all the things you know you should be working on, but you keep pushing off due to lack of time, knowledge or confidence. It’s also exceptionally good value. What have you got to lose?