After spending 20 years in financial services, Nicola Peake decided the time had come to walk away from her career and do something completely different.
She launched a successful afternoon tea business during the pandemic which grew to a six-figure turnover inside a year . . . and then promptly sold it.
Now the Bridgnorth-based entrepreneur has built another six-figure operation – as well as spreading her entrepreneurial and motivational tips as a best-selling author.
The 45-year-old is the driving force behind Peakes Private Members Club, which has been providing networking, strategy and business coaching support for ‘ambitious business owners’ since 2021.
Later this year, the company is running ‘PeakeFest’ on the Apley Estate from September 27-29 – described as a business festival retreat – where Dragons’ Den panelist Sara Davies will be among a series of big-name speakers.
Nicola says she is driven by a mission to support others in business to enjoy life alongside building their empires.
“At PeakeFest, we want to do things differently. There are tonnes of events where you can listen to the best in the industry, but you never get to spend any time with them.
“Throughout this weekend our fantastic keynote speakers are ready to guide you through immersive workshops, teaching you how to implement new strategies into your business, without the need to purchase a four-figure course.
“Speakers will continue their teachings in their own tipis, which will house approximately 30-40 people at a time, where they will expand on their talks and bring more teachings and advice. There is no-one else doing this.
“This isn’t a normal run-of-the-mill business conference. This is your opportunity to be creative, be innovative, play and restore.
“Business shouldn’t be all hustle, hustle, hustle. We also need to ensure that we take time to look after ourselves.
“Across these two days, there will be a range of wellbeing workshops and sessions which you can take part in free of charge, from meditation, breathwork, journaling and more. Make sure you bring your yoga mat!”
But let’s just rewind the timeline a little. Why launch two such different new businesses in such a short space of time, after spending so many years immersed in financial services?
Although she loved the afternoon tea business and it was a huge success, Nicola says she missed spending time with others, and working alone every day led her to not enjoy running the business she lovingly built.
So, she decided that she had risked everything once, so what was stopping her from doing it again?
Nicola’s natural default, she says, is to be ‘sociable, loud and the centre of attention’ – she was always called a chatterbox in her school reports, but over the years she had found this caused negative judgement.
However, when analysing her life and what she wanted from it, after hitting rock bottom, she realised she would only be happy if she connected with herself more fully and filled her cup based on her true characteristics.
Peakes Private Members Club opened in December 2021, and is now a successful networking business with over 100 company owners who she says ‘will never again feel lonely in business’.
Nicola says she discovered first-hand that ‘having it all’ meant nothing if you were not fulfilled, not happy, and not filling your life with things you love.
“It’s not a case of what you can do for your business, but what your business can do for you,” she says.
After much soul searching, she believes she has now discovered what she needed her business to do for her.
“I love to help other ambitious founders see what they don’t see themselves, empowering them to grow in a way that makes them happy, and supporting them to build a business they love.”
Nicola describes Peakes Private Members Club as a place that challenges traditional networking cliques. Having been on the receiving end of them, she passionately dislikes them but believes the online world is full of them – making people ‘feel like crap’ because they don’t believe they fit in.
She likens it to ‘the cool gang at school and being made to feel your face doesn’t fit’, or being treated badly in a corporate environment.
So can anyone break out of this cycle and strike out on their own? What does it take, in Nicola’s opinion, to be an entrepreneur?
“Grit! When someone decides to start their own business, it can be with the vision of working from sunny locations, taking time off when they like and money to enjoy a lavish lifestyle . . . all while answering only to themselves.
“But the reality is harsh: 20% of businesses fail within the first year, and those that do succeed can often work long hours and struggle with motivation and consistency. It’s hard doing it alone.
“This is why I set up Peakes Private Members Club to give entrepreneurs a place to connect. With online connection sessions and inspiring events in great locations, members quickly signed up and the community grew.
“And, without this business, I would not have so many amazing people in my life and this book would not be here. I have experienced huge growth over the last few years to really connect to my own purpose, and I am now well and truly living it.”
Another way in which Nicola is spreading supportive messages to ambitious entrepreneurs is through the written word.
Her latest business book – ‘Fearless Connection: Real Life Stories Of Entrepreneurs Who Made It Happen’ – features first-hand stories from eight women in her network, and has become a bestseller.
The book brings together stories from these business owners who bravely share their struggles, triumphs and wisdom, so others can become fearless and use their failures and challenges as fuel, to spur them on to create a business that they adore.
The women come from a variety of backgrounds and sectors, including accountants, bookkeepers, photographers, sales experts and strategists, social media coaches, personal health transformation experts, virtual assistants, and more.
But the common thread is that despite their challenges, even when the chips were down, these business owners dug deep and used their circumstances to fuel their success.
Nicola said: “Each and every author within this book has grit – and that is what makes us unstoppable!
“It has been a delight to work with these amazing women who have each faced their fair share of tough times, but have come out stronger and more fearless, especially when it comes to making those big, scary decisions we all dread.
“Growing a business is hard. There are times when I have doubted my goals. I’ve told myself that I am being unrealistic, and I look at others who are smashing it and tell myself that I have no chance.
“I have felt overwhelmed, anxious and just stressed out of my mind. Maybe you have felt the same? And trust me when I say, you are not alone.
“I wanted to bring something different to the table with this book. Real stories from real business owners who are still on the journey, just like you and me. We have one amazing life to live and I am so passionate about us doing and working towards what we love.
“Fearless Connection is all about embracing our challenges, feeling uncomfortable, celebrating our wins and succeeding together.”
NICOLA’S TOP TIPS FOR ENTREPRENEURS STRUGGLING TO KEEP GOING:
Remember – you are not alone
Growing a business is hard. There are times when I have doubted my goals, I’ve told myself that I am being unrealistic, and I look at others who are smashing it and tell myself that I have no chance. I have felt overwhelmed, anxious and just stressed out of my mind. Maybe you have felt the same? And trust me when I say, you are not alone. We often compare our realities to other people’s highlight reels on social media. Not many people share the true realities and struggles – and this is why I felt it was important to do so.
Harness your grit and develop a resilient mindset
Despite challenges, even when the chips are down, as a business owner it’s important to dig deep and use your circumstances to fuel success. Grit is essential in business as it embodies the resilience and determination necessary to navigate the inevitable ups and downs of entrepreneurship. It fuels sustained effort through challenges, inspires teams, and drives innovation and growth. Grit allows leaders to maintain focus on long-term goals, adapt to changes, and persist where others might falter, creating not just surviving businesses but thriving enterprises. This tenacity is more than a trait; it's a cornerstone for anyone aiming to achieve lasting success in the competitive business landscape.
Become a fearless entrepreneur
This often involves developing a mindset and environment that reduces fear's hold over decision-making and action-taking such as: embracing risk as part of the journey. Understanding that risk is a natural part of entrepreneurship can help reduce the fear associated with it. Viewing challenges as opportunities to learn and grow rather than threats can shift your perspective and make you more open to taking calculated risks.
Educate yourself continuously
By continually educating yourself about your industry, market trends, and business management, you can build confidence in your decision-making processes. Knowledge empowers you to make informed choices and reduces the intimidation factor of unfamiliar challenges.
Be part of a strong support network
Being part of a support network can significantly reduce the fear of entrepreneurship. Being part of a supportive community provides a safety net that boosts confidence and encourages risk-taking, which is essential for any entrepreneur aiming to be fearless in their pursuits. This network can include mentors, peers, friends, and family who provide emotional support, practical advice, and different perspectives. Such networks are invaluable for bouncing ideas, receiving feedback, and gaining reassurance during tough times.
Celebrate small wins
By setting and celebrating small milestones, you can create a sense of progress and success, which builds momentum and courage to tackle larger challenges.
Practice mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques
Entrepreneurship can be stressful. Regular practice of mindfulness, meditation, or other stress-reduction techniques can help maintain your mental health and perspective, making you less likely to be overwhelmed by fear.
Visualise success
Visualisation is a powerful tool for combating fear. By regularly envisioning achieving your goals, you can create a mental image of success that motivates and guides you through fear-inducing situations.
