We’ve reached the halfway mark of our six-month Small Business Mentorship through Crecera and the Business Growth Network, and it’s been such an incredible experience so far. At this stage, we’re already seeing big shifts in how our mentees view themselves as entrepreneurs and how they approach the day-to-day running of their businesses.

This program was never about quick hacks or overnight wins, it’s about creating clarity, building confidence, and putting long-term strategies in place. And watching that unfold over the past three months has been inspiring, exciting and affirming.

Unfortunately, Kate from Hitch Perfect hasn’t been able to commence her mentorship due to personal circumstances, but we’re so proud of the progress our other mentees, Beth Venter from NewCastle Designs and Kevin Swanepoel from Ardent Quest, have made. We'd love to take a moment to celebrate both of them and the wins they've had along the way. 

Beth Venter from NewCastle Designs

Beth has thrown herself into the work with such commitment and focus. She’s spent the past few months refining her audience profile, to the point where she’s become the benchmark when it comes to building a brand persona. In a recent group coaching session, she showcased her work, highlighting not just her own progress, but also the importance of the exercise for all small business owners. Reflecting on her journey so far, Beth told us:

“I feel more anchored in my role, with a clear niche and client avatar that will hopefully guide me going forward.”

This clarity has allowed her to approach her work more intentionally and focus on the right audience.

“It’s given me clarity around who I serve, which is the kind of foundation that shapes everything down the track.”

And the results are already beginning to show. One of her proudest wins was landing her very first client-to-client referral, proof that the groundwork she’s putting in is starting to pay off. Looking ahead, Beth says:

“I expect to see steady progress, but the real growth will be in laying the right foundations. My business has a longer runway, so it’s more about lasting long-term improvements.”

Kevin Swanepoel, Ardent Quest

Kevin, meanwhile, has been balancing the mentorship alongside his day job, yet he’s made the program a real priority. His dedication to getting the foundations right has paid off, he’s made leaps and bounds in clarifying his audience persona, sharpening his business purpose and goals, and, importantly, taking consistent action. As he puts it:

“Being part of the Crecera Mentorship Program has helped me see myself less as someone just starting to try something new, but more as a business owner.”

Three months ago, Kevin says he was often “reacting to challenges as they came up,” but today, things feel very different:

“Now, I feel more structured and intentional in how I plan, prioritise, and execute.”

That shift has been driven not only by the accountability of the program but also by the support of the community.

“The mentorship program has provided both reassurance and accountability. Having access to experienced guidance from Sarah and Jacquie has helped me move forward in my decision making.”

When asked to describe the program in one sentence, Kevin summed it up beautifully:

“It’s like phoning a friend and receiving supportive, insightful, and practical guidance.”

Kevin has become such a valued member of the Business Growth Network, showing up consistently to our fortnightly catch-ups and contributing generously to group discussions. He’s proud of how far he’s come (and so are we!), sharing:

“The most valuable part has been having an objective sounding board. Being able to reach out to someone outside my immediate circle who can then both challenge and support me.”

Looking to the future, Kevin is excited about what’s next:

“In the next three months, I see Ardent Quest building stronger visibility in the market, rolling out pilot tours, and deepening collaborations with community partners.”

As mentors, coaches and business owners ourselves, it’s been incredible to witness both Beth and Kevin’s transformation in such a short time. They’ve moved from reacting to challenges as they come up, to running their businesses with structure, purpose, and intention. At just halfway through, their progress reminds us why this program exists: to give small business owners the tools, support, and accountability to step fully into their roles as leaders.

And the best part? This is only the beginning. We can’t wait to see where the next three months take them.