Breaking Through

Transforming a plateau into sustainable growth while staying true to your values

The Invisible Ceiling

You've built a business that demonstrates clear potential. Your clients love what you do, and you've proven your expertise time and again. Yet despite your best efforts, growth seems to have hit a ceiling.

If you're feeling this way, you're not alone. This is the stage where 78% of women-owned businesses get stuck - not because of any lack of talent or determination, but because of something I've come to recognise as the "guidance gap."

Hi, I’m Denyse and I understand what it’s like to hit a growth plateau.

What most women aren't told is that at this stage, we're navigating challenges that go beyond business basics. It's what Mary Ann Sieghart calls "the authority gap" - the persistent underestimation of women's capabilities despite our proven excellence. And research shows women receive 40% fewer referrals than men (a staggering 70% fewer in professional services).
This means that traditional "word of mouth" growth - the strategy most business advisors recommend - simply doesn't compound for women the way it does for men. It's not that your business isn't remarkable; it's that the playing field isn't level.

Finding Your Path Forward

When faced with this plateau, many women dive into the digital marketing wormhole- frantically trying to master constantly changing algorithms, SEO (and now GEO), as well as social media strategies. Others get caught in what I call the "online course loop," investing in programme after programme without seeing sustainable results.

What few people will tell you is that without strong brand foundations and strategic clarity, these tactics rarely deliver the breakthrough you're seeking. The path to sustainable growth isn't about working harder or implementing random marketing techniques - it's about establishing the strategic foundations that enable systematic growth.

I discovered this truth through my own journey and through working with dozens of women at exactly this stage. Breaking through requires a different approach - one that acknowledges both the unique challenges women face and the extraordinary capabilities we bring to business building.

On this page, you'll find resources specifically designed to help you break through your current plateau - from strategic insights on overcoming common barriers to practical guidance on financial management and brand positioning. You'll discover how other women have successfully navigated this critical transition and the services I offer to support your journey forward.

CEO Secrets: Essential Insights for Breaking Through

My blog, CEO Secrets, offers deeper perspectives on navigating this critical stage. Here are some insights particularly relevant to where you are right now:

The Overnight Success Myth Has to Stop

That "overnight success" you're comparing yourself to? It's almost certainly built on advantages you can't see - from having more startup funding to established networks. Discover how real, sustainable businesses break through plateaus not through viral moments but by building strong strategic foundations and taking consistent action.

Read here ->

Brand Strategy: Why Positioning Changes Everything

At this stage, your brand isn't just about aesthetics- it's about strategic positioning that commands respect in your market. Discover how to evolve your brand to reflect your true value, creating natural differentiation that attracts ideal clients even in crowded markets.

Read here ->

Beyond the Referral Gap: Creating Growth Systems That Don't Rely on Word of Mouth

When traditional networking yields diminishing returns, what's the alternative? Learn how to develop integrated growth systems that create consistent results without relying solely on referrals or recommendations - systems that leverage your unique strengths while addressing the specific challenges women entrepreneurs face.

Read here ->

Financial Visibility: Why Your Cash Flow Forecast Is the Key to Breaking Through

Most businesses struggling at a plateau are flying blind financially. Discover how strategic cash flow forecasting does more than prevent crises—it becomes your most powerful decision-making tool. Learn how to transform financial management from a necessary evil into your secret weapon for sustainable growth.

Read here ->

From TV Makeover Queen to Beauty Empire Builder: Trinny Woodall's Breakthrough Journey

When Trinny Woodall was turned down by investors for "not having a big enough Instagram following," she didn't let it stop her vision. Follow her remarkable journey from television personality to founder of Trinny London, the innovative beauty brand now valued at over £180 million. Her story illustrates how persistence, authentic connection with customers, and a clear brand vision can triumph over conventional gatekeeping and limited thinking about what it takes to build a significant business.

Read here ->

Inspiration: A Founders Journey

From Solo Practitioner to Education Entrepreneur

When Chrissie reached out to me, her literacy education business had been generating a consistent £50,000 in annual revenue for years. Despite her excellent reputation and proven expertise, she couldn't see how to break free from what she called "the treadmill."

Rather than pushing for more clients or longer hours, we developed a systematic approach to significant growth that maintained educational quality while building organisational capability. This included establishing clear financial foundations, developing a distinctive methodology for her teaching process, and creating operational systems that enabled scaling without sacrificing quality.

The transformation was remarkable. Over the course of 30 months, Chrissie progressed from her £50,000 plateau to £375,000 in revenue with five teachers, while developing sophisticated organisational capabilities, a clear company culture, and a strong leadership identity.

"What made the difference wasn't working harder," Chrissie shared. "It was developing the strategic foundations that allowed for sustainable growth while maintaining our commitment to educational excellence."

READ CHRISSIE'S FULL STORY →

How I Support Businesses Breaking Through

Through Purpose-Led Business Leadership, I help ambitious women transform their established businesses into engines of sustainable growth. This isn't about quick fixes or generic formulas - it's about creating the strategic foundations that enable your business to break through plateaus while honoring what makes you distinctive.

My approach acknowledges the specific challenges women face at this stage while leveraging the unique strengths and values you bring to your business. Together, we create pathways to growth that align with your authentic vision while building the systems and positioning needed for significant achievement.

Strategic Support For Your Journey

These services are particularly valuable for businesses ready to break through:

Seasonal Strategic Reset

Establish the essential foundations needed for breaking through your current plateau in just 6 weeks. This comprehensive process addresses all aspects of your business strategy, from brand positioning to financial systems.

Learn more ->

Monthly Strategic Direction

Transform strategy into consistent implementation through ongoing guidance tailored to your growth stage. This partnership ensures you maintain momentum while navigating the complexities of significant growth.

Learn more ->

YOUR NEXT STEPS