Primed for growth, but unsure of a clear strategy, Kaos was ready to make the most of his Business Booster mentoring experience to take his high-end chauffeur business IDWT Collective to the next level. He never expected that things would take off so quickly! Read on to discover his incredible story and how, together with his Rare Birds Mentor Dianna, he achieved great success in such a short time.
Kaos: At the start of your mentoring partnership, what goals did you set out to achieve and why?
K: At the beginning of my mentoring partnership with Dianna, my primary goals were to enhance my leadership skills, refine my business strategy, and improve my networking abilities. I wanted to develop a clearer understanding of my business’s market positioning and learn effective ways to manage my own time so I could expand my team and business as a whole. These goals were important to me because I wanted to take my business to the next level and feel more confident in my decision-making and negotiation abilities.
Both: How has Dianna been able to assist you with these goals?
K: Dianna has been incredibly supportive in helping me achieve these goals. She has shared valuable insights from her own experiences, guided me through strategic planning exercises, and provided constructive feedback on my business approach. Additionally, she introduced me to her network, which has expanded my professional connections. Dianna’s flexibility in her approach to cater to where I was at in the moment was incredibly valuable.
D: At the time of writing this, I’d been working with Kaos for eight months helping him achieve key goals for his high-end transportation and logistics company. We started by clarifying Kaos’s personal and business vision — the ‘why’ behind everything! This ensured Kaos’s decisions aligned with what he valued most and helped drive his motivation and consistent action.
Once his vision was clear, we focused on identifying the right clients and partnerships that aligned with Kaos’s values and genuinely needed his services. This helped leverage existing relationships for quick wins and created a business strategy that attracts the right clients while focusing on the right sales and marketing efforts.
From there, we refined Kaos’s unique sales proposition and messaging so he could confidently communicate his value to potential clients and partners. Kaos started landing new clients, sometimes even from the first conversation!
One of the highlights was helping Kaos secure new clients, including his first seven-figure client, within weeks of working together. It’s a testament to the right-fit strategies used and Kaos’s dedication to both our mentoring partnership and his business.
Alongside growing the business, we focused on finding a balance between his work and personal life. This allowed Kaos to execute consistently without feeling overwhelmed, and enjoy the business that supports the life he wants.
I’ve also been able to connect Kaos with some PR opportunities to boost his visibility (including this case study 😉).
Looking ahead, we’re focused on scaling even further – hiring team members, refining processes, and ensuring Kaos has the support he needs to continue growing the business and doing what he does best.
Both: What has surprised you most about your mentoring experience?
K: What surprised me most about my mentoring experience was the depth of the relationship we built and how much I really didn’t know about business. I initially expected a more formal arrangement, but our sessions quickly became a space for open dialogue and genuine support. Dianna’s willingness to share her vulnerabilities made it easier for me to share mine, fostering an environment of trust and collaboration that I hadn’t anticipated.
D: With all the noise of online and social media trends, it’s easy to get distracted and business fundamentals can be overlooked. We’ve all been there! Despite the distractions and ever-changing business world, no matter what stage of business you’re in, it’s important to revisit these fundamentals.
After 25 + years of helping businesses grow and scale, and mentoring others, I still find that mentoring offers opportunities for growth. You learn something new, sharpen your skills, and make new connections – sometimes with people who may become your next business partner, collaborator, or even a close friend!
Mentoring is a two-way street – it sparks new ideas, creativity, motivation, and action. Both mentor and mentee evolve together.
I’m grateful that I get to do what I love through mentoring.
K: What impact has the partnership had on your personal growth and confidence?
K: The partnership has had a profound impact on my personal growth. Through Dianna’s guidance, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of my strengths and weaknesses. This self-awareness has led to an increase in my confidence, allowing me to make bolder decisions both personally and professionally, and enhanced my ability to plan and execute.
K: What impact has it had on your business growth?
K: My business growth has accelerated due to the mentoring relationship. Dianna helped me identify new opportunities and refine my business model. As a result, I’ve seen an increase in customer engagement and a boost in sales, which has been incredibly fulfilling. At the start of our mentoring relationship, I was bringing in $200k in sales. Now that has tripled into $600k + sales at the time of writing this response, and landing prospective 7-figure clients.
K: What are some actions you’ve taken as a result of your mentoring and what were the outcomes?
K: As a direct result of our sessions, I implemented a new marketing strategy that focuses on digital outreach. I also adopted a more structured approach to time management. The outcome has been impressive: not only have we seen a rise in new customers, but I am more aligned and motivated, which has contributed to a positive work-life balance. When things are moving too fast and getting too complicated, you’ve got to slow down and strip it back.
Both: Reflecting on how you felt before your first meeting, compared to today, how has the partnership developed?
K: Before our first meeting, I felt uncertain and somewhat overwhelmed by the challenges I faced in my business. I would ask myself a lot “what am I even doing?”. Today, I feel empowered and equipped with strategies to tackle those challenges head-on. The partnership has evolved into a mentorship that feels more like a friendship, where I can seek advice and share ideas freely. I have so much time and respect for Dianna, and I can see us staying connected long into the future.
D: Before starting, there’s always a bit of uncertainty about what to expect. But I usually kick things off with an initial meeting or call to ensure it’s the right fit for both parties and to clarify goals and expectations.
I work with people and business owners who value integrity, are open to new ideas, are committed to growth, and are ready to take action. From the start, it was clear that Kaos had these qualities, and I was excited to work with him.
At the same time, I was aware of the challenges that Kaos was experiencing in his business and his ambitious goals. I was committed to understanding his unique business needs and vision, and the best way to support him.
When first working together, it was more about providing prescriptive advice, which is to be expected. Now, the partnership has evolved into a more collaborative approach where Kaos has developed deeper insights and a better understanding of what he needs to move forward.
Over time, we’ve shifted from setting goals to implementing strategies that have real results – like landing high-value clients and achieving a better work-life balance for Kaos.
When I work with others, their success feels like a win for me too. I genuinely want to see them achieve their goals and thrive, and that spurs me on. I’m really proud of Kaos and the progress he has made, and I look forward to continuing our partnership.
Both: What have you enjoyed most about your mentoring sessions?
K: I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the engaging discussions and the interactive nature of our sessions. What I’ve enjoyed the most has been how we can just have a laugh throughout our sessions. It has really taken the stress out of what I am trying to achieve. Moreso, Dianna’s ability to ask thought-provoking questions has pushed me to think critically about my business, and I appreciate how she celebrates each small victory, making each session feel rewarding and like I am making REAL progress.
D: I really enjoy using my expertise to support other small business owners like Kaos and seeing firsthand the positive impact it has on their businesses.
Each session brings something new – new challenges, new wins, new ideas, and breakthroughs which keeps it interesting.
Kaos really makes the most of our time together – he listens closely, asks insightful questions, and is fully committed to our mentoring partnership, his business and his clients. His eagerness to learn and try new things, and put ideas into action, along with his genuine gratitude, makes working with him a pleasure.
And we have a laugh! It’s often underestimated how important it is to work with people you click with. I know Kaos and I will stay connected for a long time.
Both: What do you think are the key ingredients for a successful mentoring partnership?
K: Trust, open communication, laughing, and mutual respect are key ingredients for a successful mentoring partnership. Both parties must be willing to share their thoughts honestly and be receptive to feedback. Additionally, a shared commitment to goals can significantly enhance the effectiveness of the mentorship. What I have learned is that you can’t do everything on your own. Focus on your strengths, outsource time consuming tasks, and foster a good work-life balance.
D: Successful mentoring starts with building trust. Sharing your personal experiences and actively listening helps to build that connection. Also, when you really tune in, it helps you better understand your mentee’s needs, challenges, and goals and how you can best support them.
For the mentee, asking questions is key for clarity and understanding and gives you the confidence to take action and get the results you’re after.
Having a clear vision keeps you focused on what’s most important, but being flexible is just as important. Life has a way of throwing curveballs, so it’s okay to adjust along the way.
One thing that can be overlooked is tracking progress and celebrating wins, no matter how small. It keeps the momentum going and celebrating wins helps boost your confidence.
Another way to build confidence, and where the magic happens, is to take action. Even the smallest action like opening your laptop, putting pen to paper, or just starting, helps turn plans into results.
Last but definitely not least, follow through on promises, and always have fun!
You could say that Kaos and I have mastered mentoring – should I mention humility as a key ingredient? 😄
Big shoutout to Kaos, who goes above and beyond in all of this.
K: How has the Business Booster program impacted the way you do business?
K: The Business Booster program has provided me with a valuable framework for growth and innovation. It has taught me to approach challenges from different angles and introduced me to best practices that I have integrated into my business. As a result, I have become more strategic in my planning and execution, which has led to deeper customer relationships, improved operational efficiency, and higher revenue.
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. Want to learn more about Rare Birds mentoring programs? Book a call with the friendly Rare Birds team.
