A Powys entrepreneur has spoken of the benefits of accessing mentorship.
Charlie Cooper Harding, 26, worked with a mentor from Farming Connect. The Mentoring Service is available to farmers and growers of all ages and business types to benefit from the guidance, experience and knowledge of their farming peers.
Farming Connect says it is especially useful for businesses considering changes such as diversification, adding value, expanding, or starting new enterprises. It’s also beneficial to new entrants and those looking to exit the industry, the organisation added.
Once intending to follow his parents’ footsteps in London, Charlie's career changed after he worked with a local fencing contractor and on a beef farm in mid-Wales. That experience sparked an interest that has grown into a strong passion for the agricultural sector, where he now aims for success in all his endeavours.
He said:
‘The goal was to find something that I enjoy and to make a difference.’
Charlie worked as an Area Sales Specialist for Wynnstay Group PLC. His role as a Student & Young Farmer Ambassador with NFU provided valuable networking opportunities, and he credits his success to a strong belief in learning from everyone he meets. In 2022, Charlie won the HCC scholarship, which enabled him to travel to Chile.
Qualifying for Farming Connect membership under the aspiring new entrant category, Charlie has utilised many services Farming Connect has to offer which have supported his ventures and personal development, such as e-learning modules concentrating on Business development, Artificial Insemination, Prosper from Pasture and more recently the Mentoring Service.
With strong business acumen and an openness to new ideas, Charlie is looking to grow multiple businesses but admits that the journey wasn't always easy. He faced challenges and struggles along the way and this is when he connected with Lilwen Joynson from the Mentoring team. She has been a part of his journey, providing support to help achieve his goals.
Lilwen, who has a background in farming beef, sheep and dairy, has worked as a mentor since 2017. Lilwen helps rural entrepreneurs develop new businesses. She is passionate about helping people in farming achieve their potential and be more productive as business people, and does this by teaching them to objectively examine their own businesses.
Lilwen is also an Agrisgôp Leader with Farming Connect, which applies coaching to a group setting through ‘action learning’.
‘You can't focus solely on your business and neglect your heart. You become more aware with a mentor or a coach and then you can steer away from crisis to a more balanced way,’ said Lilwen.
She also runs a programme called Stress to Success, which is delivered through the Farming Connect Advisory Service’s Business Action Group category. This two-day workshop is designed to help master mindset.
Lilwen describes Charlie’s mind as “driving and thriving,” a constant source of new ideas. Being able to speak to someone like Lilwen was a significant positive for Charlie. He said that, like many people, he prefers to pick up the phone, and she was always there to answer his calls with a coaching style mentoring approach.
Charlie found himself in a ‘personal over load’ situation, a common feeling when starting a new business and venturing down new paths. Lilwen served as a sounding board, helping him process his feelings. While people cope with crisis in various ways, Charlie turned to a mentor. Being mentored by Lilwen provided Charlie with an opportunity to speak to an expert who listened and gained a better understanding of what he was dealing with. They worked together to find a solution.
Charlie shared that one of the new strategies he's gained from working with Lilwen is managing stress better and understanding when his mind is at capacity and it is time to take a break. His way of decompressing is varied and very much depends on the day.
Through grit and a better understanding of himself, Charlie has found himself in a positive place both personally and professionally. Charlie works as a nutritionist for dairy and beef farmers nationwide as part of ‘Dairy Diagnosis.’ He deals with farm fertility reports and costs, providing what farmers need with a focus on nutrition.
When asked what his advice would be to a farmer or business owner who is currently facing the same struggles he did, Charlie shared:
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts”
Charlie highlights that the keys to success for him are discipline, structure, and “getting it done.” and would recommend working with a mentor like Lilwen.
Lilwen said:
“Mentorship can provide invaluable guidance on how to navigate the complexities of building a business. A mentor can offer insights into effective business strategies, marketing approaches tailored to a holistic practice, and ways to attract and retain clients. They can also provide support in developing a strong professional network and maintaining a balanced approach to work and well-being. Ultimately, a mentor can accelerate growth, enhance professional skills, and foster a more sustainable and fulfilling career.”
There are more than 90 mentors across Wales to support farmers and growers. Those registered with Farming Connect can access 15 hours of fully funded mentoring sessions with a chosen mentor.
