NAME: Aidan Mackinnon, Founder at Cut Throat Knives

MENTOR: Caroline Raper, Director of Events and Marketing at This Space

When you’ve spent a decade building something by hand, it can be hard to step back and see it clearly. For Aidan Mackinnon, a full-time knife maker and founder of a handcrafted kitchenware brand, the past few years had tested not just his business model, but his mindset. Emerging from COVID into a consumer spending recession, sales had dropped and the path forward felt uncertain.

Through a 12-month Rare Birds mentoring partnership with Caroline, Aidan didn’t just find answers – he found clarity, confidence and renewed direction. What began as a structured mentoring relationship evolved into a trusted partnership and genuine friendship. Together, they reshaped his thinking, strengthened his strategy, and positioned his business for its next chapter of growth.

This is the story of how mentoring helped Aidan steady the ship and rediscover his edge.

Aidan launched his knife-making business in 2015 with a powerful vision: to transform the way people engage with cooking through beautifully handcrafted tools. Each knife is made entirely by him, from start to finish. It is slow, intentional craftsmanship in a world of mass production.

For years, the business grew steadily. But like many small businesses, it was hit hard by COVID. Classes and experiences – an important revenue stream – had to pause. Then came a consumer recession. As an “everyday luxury” product, his high-end knives were often the kind of self-gift people delayed during uncertain times.

Twelve months ago, Aidan found himself at a crossroads. Sales were down. The market had shifted. And he was entering a necessary pivot.

“I was definitely going into this open-minded,” Aidan shared. “I wasn’t sure what the benefits would be. In a world where you’ve got tools like ChatGPT to brainstorm, I wondered what mentoring would offer.”

What he discovered was something profoundly human.

From the outset, Aidan and Caroline committed to meeting monthly. Rare Birds’ structured approach created consistency and accountability, but the real impact came from the quality of conversation.

Caroline brought deep business experience and, importantly, objectivity. As someone outside the business, she was able to ask different questions – and challenge assumptions Aidan hadn’t even realised he was making.

“It does something different,” Aidan reflected. “You can ask a tool how to solve a problem. But mentoring gives you perspective. It pushes your thinking.”

At a time when Aidan was navigating uncertainty, Caroline became a sounding board. They unpacked the pivot he was undertaking and explored how to “re-right the ship” in a changed economic climate. Instead of reacting to falling sales with fear, they worked through strategy with calm focus.

That shift – from overwhelm to clarity – was pivotal.

Aiden says that more than an accountability buddy, Caroline provided a reality check. “You can easily get lost in both the day-to-day of running a small business, but also you can totally get lost in the dreams and aspirations of the business,” he says. “And sometimes what you actually need is somebody to tell you, ‘Okay, cool. That’s great. I know where you want to be, but what are you doing now to make it happen?’”

Rather than focussing solely on a B2C business model, selling one knife at a time, Aidan explored B2B possibilities, successfully building strategic partnerships with restaurants. “We happened to have a restaurant come in and ask us about ordering knives and I was able to upsell that from a $10,000 order into a $50,000 order. So that’s become the golden goose for us. I’m going over there to pick up some samples that they’re have approved for another 60 knives and I’m dropping off another sample that will become another 40 knife order. So we were able to solve the problem that if consumers don’t have the spending power, who still does have the spending power and how are we going after those people?”

Like many founders, Aidan carries the full weight of his business on his shoulders. When revenue drops, it can feel personal. Mentoring created space to step back.

Through their sessions, Aidan gained greater clarity around what was working, what needed to evolve, and where his energy was best spent. Rather than trying to do everything alone, he began to see where specialist support was needed.

In fact, one of the outcomes of the mentoring relationship was Aidan’s decision to engage an additional Mentor with specific manufacturing expertise to support the next stage of growth. That choice reflected a more strategic, confident leader – someone who understood that building a resilient business requires both humility and collaboration.

Caroline celebrated that decision. The goal was never dependency; it was empowerment.

As the formal 12-month program nears its end, Aidan and Caroline have already agreed to stay in touch. They have shared dinners, stories and milestones. What began as a professional match has become a lasting relationship built on mutual respect. This aspect of the partnership was a surprise for Aidan.

“We’ve become friends through this,” Aidan said. “I’ll definitely stay in contact. It won’t be as structured as once a month, but I’ll keep sharing updates as things go on.”

This is the ripple effect of mentoring. It extends beyond scheduled meetings into a broader support ecosystem.

At Rare Birds, we believe mentoring is not just about tactical advice. It is about building community, allyship and connection. Aidan’s experience reflects this beautifully.

While mentoring cannot control external market conditions, it can transform how a founder navigates them.

For Aidan, the impacts were clear:

Strategic clarity during a pivot in response to declining sales

Greater confidence in decision-making and willingness to seek specialist expertise

Structured accountability through regular sessions

Emotional support and perspective during a challenging economic period

Expanded network and ongoing connection beyond the formal program

Aidan’s knives are forged slowly, with intention and precision. Over the past year, so too has his leadership.

Mentoring did not change who he is as a craftsman. It strengthened who he is as a founder. It gave him space to think differently, the courage to pivot, and the confidence to chart a new course.

In uncertain times, having someone in your corner makes all the difference.

His next big move? He has partnered with a production company to create a 10-part web series called Forging Friendships that’s on YouTube. The show sees celebrities make a knife with Aidan that is then auctioned off for charity. They are currently seeking funding for a second season.

At Rare Birds, we know that mentorship changes lives and livelihoods. It builds confidence, opens doors, and helps founders like Aidan not only survive challenging seasons – but grow through them.

Because financial independence and sustainable success are rarely achieved alone.

They are built in community.

 

Are you ready for a year of high impact growth? Invest in yourself with an Inspiring Rare Birds Mentorship. We have Mentors who are waiting and excited to be matched with the right person. You can start the process by purchasing a program HERE.