Adam Wanted Time and His Life Back. He Achieved That and Grew Turnover By 60%

A Critical Need For Change

When Adam first approached me following a presentation I delivered in Peterborough he uttered the words that for some reason I can quote verbatim: "Dan I don't want to grow my business or my profits but both my mother and my fiancee are worried that if I carry on working like I have been I will be headed to an early grave. Can you help me?"

The Problem

Adam, a young but very successful business owner of Blands (Rutland) Ltd based in Stamford with a team of just over 30 people, wanted time. Actually, in his words he wanted his life back. The phone was constantly ringing. He was working silly hours. Stress was a big thing. He also knew that to overcome these issues the business needed to work without him.

Skepticism

He had worked in the business from school, before he acquired it and whilst he knew he needed help he wasn't familiar with business coaching. He was skeptical at first as he was worried that the interaction would involve "lots of clapping" and team motivational strategies that didn't fit his way of working.

Rationale

Adam is very well connected in the industry and has many strong collaborative relationships with owners of other companies within the sector but thought a fresh pair of eyes from outside the industry who could assess his problems was of real interest to him. He was also reassured by the confidence I showed that I could help him. We have an excellent friendship which is not essential for a coaching relationship but it makes the journey enjoyable for both of us.

Here is the story told by Adam himself:

The Results

The most endearing and powerful endorsement of Adam's success is when he stood up in front of 50 people, biarrely in the very same room we first met in Peterborough, and told the audience that "Dan has given me my life back." As a coach it doesn't get any better than that!

He no longer is the first port of call for his staff and he has developed his management team to take on more responsibility and ownership for the business. This has given Adam the headspace to make some very shrewd decisions. Those decisions have led to the business growing from £2.5M to £4M turnover in the first 2 years of coaching. The additional profit has enabled Adam to invest in new vehicles for his fleet, new offices, new facilities for his maintenance team and he has grown his team to over 40 staff. He has also bought a smaller competitor in the industry and has a whole new outlook on what his own future looks like.

It's Personal

The increase profitability for most people would be the biggest prize but it was never really about that for Adam; a nice bi-product sure. When this story was written (may 2026) I have been coaching Adam for 2 1/2 years in which time he has married his fiancee and they have brought a beautiful daughter into the world. They have been on holiday abroad 5 times in her first year which ultimately is the real win for Adam.

He still works hard, probably harder than he needs to, but he's no longer heading for an early grave but embracing family life and building a growing and sustainable business.