Practical support for small businesses that need to get unstuck.
Let’s figure out how to get it moving again.
I help female founders and small business owners in North Yorkshire and across the UK untangle challenges, make decisions and turn those “I really need to do something about that…” thoughts into practical action.
Whether you need a sounding board, a fresh pair of eyes or an experienced pair of hands to actually make something happen, I can help.
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
Running your own business means there is always something.
An idea you keep coming back to. A decision you’ve been putting off. Something that isn’t quite working. A project you desperately want to get moving. Or simply far too many things competing for your attention at once. And when you’re the person in the middle of all of it, it can be surprisingly difficult to work out what actually needs your attention first.
That’s often where I come in.
I’m very good at asking questions, getting underneath what’s really going on and turning a slightly tangled collection of thoughts, problems and possibilities into something much clearer and more manageable.
And importantly, I won’t hand you a 47-point action plan and send you on your merry way.
We’ll work out what actually matters, what’s realistic for your business and what you need to do next.
NOT SURE WHERE TO START?
Start here
Strategic Clarity Session
90 minutes | £250 | One thing we need to get unstuck
Sometimes you don’t need a consultant for months on end. You just need someone sensible to sit down with you, ask the right questions and help you work out what on earth you’re going to do next. That’s what the Strategic Clarity Session is for.
⭐️ Bring me your problem, idea, decision or opportunity.
⭐️ We’ll spend 90 minutes getting properly stuck into it.
⭐️ By the end, you’ll have clear priorities and practical next steps.
⭐️ You’ll get a short follow-up accountability call afterwards.
And sometimes, you already know what needs to be done.
You need someone to help you get on with it.
Sometimes you just need a fresh pair of eyes on the business.
I help small business owners untangle challenges, make clearer decisions and improve the way things work – turning ideas, frustrations and sticking points into practical next steps.
Got something that needs to happen but nobody has the time (or headspace) to actually own it?
I provide experienced project support for businesses that need something delivered but don’t have the capacity. I can step into your business for a defined project, bring some structure to it and keep all of the moving parts moving.
I love a good event. I also know that behind every apparently effortless event are approximately 742 tiny details somebody has had to think about.
I can help with the whole thing – from planning through to delivery of business events, workshops, networking events and community experiences.
From improving business operations and customer experience to feasibility studies, events and community projects, here’s some of the work I’ve delivered for businesses and organisations across North Yorkshire.
Events that bring good people together.
From inspiring workshops and networking evenings to community gatherings,
my events are designed to spark conversations, build connections and create real impact.
You’re warmly invited.
SOCIAL
Tuesday 29th September 2026
Cafe in the Park, Ripon
Female founders
Free
Join our friendly, no-pressure monthly coffee catch-up for Ripon women in business – connect, chat, share, and feel supported.
NETWORKING
Wednesday 23rd September 2026
The Ripon Inn, Ripon
Business owners, freelancers, professionals
Free
Relaxed, friendly networking for Ripon’s business community. Good conversation, new connections and collaboration.
A bit of a soft spot for female founders...
I work with all sorts of brilliant small businesses and organisations, and I have a particular passion for supporting female founders – especially those building businesses outside the big cities.
There isn’t one correct version of success. It might mean building something huge. It might mean earning brilliantly without building a team of 25. It might mean creating something that gives you more freedom, supports your family, employs local people or makes your town a better place to live.
Alongside my client work, I’m creating more opportunities for female founders to meet, collaborate, share ideas and get useful things done together.
Hi, I'm Sarah
I’m a consultant, project person, event organiser and professional problem-solver with 20+ years of experience across businesses, projects and teams.
I’m particularly good at getting underneath a problem, making complicated things feel simpler and turning “we really need to do something about this…” into a practical way forward.
My approach is warm, straightforward and decidedly un-corporate – think experienced extra pair of hands, sounding board and someone who’ll help you actually get things done.
Based near Ripon in North Yorkshire, I provide business consultancy, freelance project support and event management for small businesses and organisations locally and across the UK.
Small business consultancy - The GreenHouse, Ripon
Find me in other places...
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of businesses do you work with?
I work with small businesses, founders and organisations across a range of sectors. I have a particular interest in supporting female founders and rural businesses, but you don’t have to fit into either of those categories to work with me.
What can you help me with?
That depends on what’s going on in your business. I can help you untangle a challenge, improve the way something works, bring structure to a project, manage something that needs delivering or support you with planning and running an event.
If you’re not entirely sure what kind of support you need yet, that’s absolutely fine too.
What does a small business consultant actually do?
A small business consultant brings an experienced outside perspective to your business. I help you look at what’s working, what isn’t and what needs to happen next – then turn that thinking into practical, realistic action.
My approach is very hands-on, so where needed I can also help you implement the changes rather than simply handing you a list of recommendations.
Can you help if I feel stuck but don’t really know what the problem is?
Yes – that’s actually a very common place to start.
Sometimes you know something isn’t quite working, but you’re too close to the business to see exactly what needs to change. We can talk it through, identify the sticking points and work out the most useful next steps.
Do you offer one-off support or do I need to commit to ongoing consultancy?
Both are possible.
You might need a single Strategic Clarity Session, support with one particular business challenge, help delivering a defined project or someone to work alongside you for a period of time. We can shape the support around what your business actually needs rather than forcing it into a fixed package.
Can I hire you to manage a specific project?
Yes. I provide freelance project support for businesses that have something important they need to get done but don’t necessarily have the time, capacity or internal resource to manage it.
I can step in for a defined project, bring structure to it and keep the moving parts moving through to delivery.
Do you offer event management?
Yes. I provide freelance event support for businesses and organisations, from helping shape an event idea through to planning, coordination and delivery.
I also organise my own business and networking events in North Yorkshire.
Where are you based?
Sarah Lewis & Co is based near Ripon in North Yorkshire.
I work in person with businesses across North Yorkshire and Yorkshire, and I can also work remotely with clients and organisations across the UK.
Do you only work with businesses in North Yorkshire?
No. While I’m based in North Yorkshire and love working with businesses in the local and rural business community, much of my consultancy and project work can be delivered remotely, so I can work with clients across the UK.
Do you only work with female founders?
No. I work with all kinds of small businesses, founders and organisations.
Supporting female founders – particularly those building businesses in rural areas and outside the big cities – is something I care deeply about, but my consultancy, project and event services are open to everyone.
How do I know which service I need?
You don’t need to know before you get in touch.
If you have a particular challenge, project or idea, tell me what’s happening and we can work out what kind of support would be most useful. You can also book a free 15-minute chat if you’d like to talk it through first.
How much does it cost to work with you?
It depends on the type and scope of support you need.
My 90-minute Strategic Clarity Session is £250 and includes a short follow-up accountability call. Project, consultancy and event support is quoted based on the work involved, so we can agree the scope and cost before we get started.
What is a Strategic Clarity Session?
A Strategic Clarity Session is a focussed 90-minute session for business owners who feel stuck, overwhelmed or unsure what to prioritise next.
We’ll look at what’s happening in the business, identify the biggest priorities and turn them into a clear, practical plan of action. You’ll also receive a short follow-up accountability call to help keep things moving.