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Posted: Fri 25th Apr 2025
Having spent nearly 20 years working in the corporate world, and as someone with dyslexia herself, Andrea Pickard launched Andrea Pickard Coaching to empower adults with dyslexia to thrive in the workplace.
Through dynamic coaching and mentoring, Andrea guides individuals towards unlocking their full potential and achieving success in every aspect of their lives.
The coaching she provides helps set goals, build confidence and create a space where people with dyslexia can think about what actions they want to take next.
Here, Andrea talks about what prompted her to start to her own business, the challenges she faced as a new business owner and how Grow London Local has supported her business journey.
It was a combination of personal struggles in the workplace, an old colleague of mine leaving the corporate world to start her own business, and Richard Branson, a fellow person with dyslexia.
I completed the Level 5 Coaching professional apprenticeship and now provide one-to-one mentoring and coaching sessions for adults with dyslexia.
Business wise, I've struggled with social media marketing and how to make sales.
On a personal level, I've found it difficult to balance motherhood with running a business. Working alone can be quite challenging, especially with no-one to cover you when you need that extra support.
I attended a business networking event and met Kate Capelli, one of Grow London Local's Business Support Managers.
Following the event, we had a one-hour phone call, which I found incredibly valuable. Kate gave me some excellent business tips, including how to market my events online.
She referred me to Digital Boost, a powerful business platform offering unlimited one-to-one sessions with mentors from different business areas and a variety of webinars and events that you can take advantage of.
In general, Grow London Local has been amazing! At its networking event in Harrow, I met so many friendly business owners. Nearly every single person in the room gave me advice, it meant so much to me. Everyone wanted me to succeed.
Kate has been amazing. She's encouraged me to believe in myself and what I'm trying to achieve. Most importantly, Kate has helped me to stay focused on my business goals.
Yes. Grow London Local gives you a lot of free support so you don't ever feel alone and can make positive steps forward in your business.
Continue to grow the business and gain regular new clients. I would also love to do some public speaking at events, start a podcast and create a dyslexia support group.
Take action every day towards your business goals, connect with as many businesses as possible to help support each other and think about promoting your business both on and offline.
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