It all starts with an idea.
Over a casual smoothie and jacket potato in April 2025, we decided to go into business together. After months of delivering game-changing programmes for founders, we knew we were onto something…
Combining the insights from our four thriving businesses – Real World Consultancy, The Strategic Circle, EAST VILLAGE PR, and The 51% Club – we’re powered by our passion for ripping up the rulebook when it comes to business support. Gone are the one-size-fits-all programmes and dull days spent in soulless meeting rooms. Say hello to tailored programmes and dynamic days spent in exciting locations.
We are relentlessly passionate about shaking up the world of business group programmes and creating a positive ripple effect. By truly understanding what’s needed by both new and growing businesses, we are not only giving founders programmes they actually want to attend, but also building a supportive ecosystem where paying it forward isn't just a concept; it's how founders thrive. We fund our early-stage support using profits from our established and tailored programmes, creating the ultimate ripple effect.
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Emma May Fishlock
CO-FOUNDER
Emma May Fishlock, the entrepreneurial force behind the multi award-winning Real World Consultancy (RWC).
As Founder, enabled over 1000 businesses to achieve significant and sustainable growth through strategic insights and practical application. Emma is also the innovative creator of The Ambitious Growth Model, a framework designed to unlock true business potential.
Recognising the power of community, she founded The Strategic Circle, a vibrant network that empowers female founders (FoundHERs) and leaders (LeadHERs) to thrive.
Emma shares her expertise as a weekly columnist for Worcester News and boasts an impressive track record in coaching, strategic planning, non-executive directorship, and public speaking.
Her diverse background includes a successful career in Transformation, Change, and Projects, culminating in a Head of PMO position, providing her with a deep understanding of operational excellence and beginning her love of post-it notes!
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Tara Attfield-Tomes
CO-FOUNDER
Tara Attfield-Tomes sits at the heart of the West Midlands ecosystem, as an advisor and consultant in female entrepreneurship.
A founder herself, she launched The 51% Club to mobilise female founders to drive change and generate wealth for women. This, alongside her multi-award-winning PR agency, EAST VILLAGE., which specialises in supporting female-serving brands.
Tara advises leading organisations on how better to service and support female entrepreneurs. In addition to helping female-founded businesses achieve their growth goals through strategic planning and execution.
She is co-chair of The Lifted Project, a Treasury-backed initiative to increase the flow of capital to regional, high growth female founders. She also founded and chairs TechWM’s Women in Tech Group.
Through these projects and her advisory work, Tara advocates for policy change and initiatives that create a more equitable landscape for female entrepreneurs but, most importantly, ensures that wealth generation for women remains top of the agenda. She’s hands in the creation and delivery of the Female Founder Growth Programme, bringing her expertise and network to the table.
