The Business Mountain Questions

We focus on YOU – helping you get answers to your biggest founding questions as you climb your own Business Mountain.

The Business Mountain – Start-ups (Book 1) & Business Plan (Book 2) & Finance (Book 3) & Marketing (Book4) are OUT NOW!

Business Secrets Unlocked

CLIMB SMART, WIN BIG!

Your Business Mountain Awaits – Avoid the pitfalls, outsmart the sharks, and stay on track to success.

Insider strategies, real-world lessons, and the hard truths no one tells you.

Put your blinkers on. Run your own race. GO… WIN.

The Business Mountain – Start-ups (Book 1) is OUT NOW!

E-Book on Amazon | Hardcover on Amazon | Paperback on Amazon

Beware the Business Sharks

In business, there will always be sharks circling – waiting to con, manipulate, or strip you of your money, ideas, or wealth. These books and this community will arm you with the knowledge to spot the red flags, protect your business, and stay ahead of the game.

We’ll be adding real-life warnings, business pitfalls, and common questions from The Business Mountain Community – your go-to resource for owners and founders.

Persistence & Determination

As you scale your Business Mountain, you’ll have loads of questions. We’re here to answer as many as possible, while the Business Mountain books (paperback, hardcover, audio, and e-book) serve as your step-by-step guide to keep you motivated and at the top of your game.

Your business will climb at its own pace.

Even the biggest companies take time- one well-known business only just broke into Asia and Australasia after 60+ years. Growth isn’t about speed; it’s about keeping the trend moving upward.

Overcome every single obstacle and there will be lots of them.

Just like the game of snakes and ladders, you might slip down at times. But success isn’t about never falling – it’s about getting back up, dusting yourself off, and rising stronger. Surround yourself with allies, mentors, and advocates who help you keep climbing.

Is this Viable Yes/No

Go …. Win

“Has it still got legs Gins?”

“Yes, it has.”

“Well, keep going then.”

That mindset led me to sell my products into four of the world’s largest retailers. If your business is right – keep going!

Yes, you’ll see others halfway up their own mountains. Some may already be millionaires, making profits, well-funded. Don’t let that distract you. They’re not on your mountain.

Just like racehorses wear blinkers – run your own race.

GO… WIN.

Finding Your Business Idea

“I want to run a business, but what type?”

Ask yourself:

What do you enjoy?

What keeps you motivated?

What would you love to sell – products, services, or both?

Business is selling. Profits come from selling something you believe in.

Rule #1: Love what you sell. If you wouldn’t buy it, don’t sell it. Passion drives success.

Once you know what excites you, find a way to sell it – and start building!

It’s as simple and as complicated as that !

Your Business World

Your Business Idea

Love what You Sell

Sell … .. It

Business is About Selling

Whether it’s a service or a range of products, it all comes down to selling and making profits (or working towards them).

Rule #1: Love what you sell.

If you hate Cornish pasties, don’t try selling them. Your passion (or lack of it) will show. Choose something you believe in, something that excites you – because that’s what keeps you going when the climb gets tough.

Once you know what you love, you can find the best way to sell it – and start building the business that’s right for you.

Your Next Steps…

Do Your Research

Your Next Steps

“I’ve chosen my industry and product/service – now what?”

DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!!!

Before launching, know your industry inside out.

Where to Start:

✔ Trade Associations – Packed with insights. Find them online.

✔ Chambers of Commerce – Business advice, networking, and support.

✔ Local Advisors – Your accountant or online search can help.

✔ Market Research – Predict demand before you launch.

Need help with market research? The Business Mountain books cover it step by step.

Knowledge = Power. Research = Confidence. Now, get digging!

Choosing Your Business Name

Your business name matters—it needs to align with your product or service and create the right first impression.

Step 1: Brainstorm Your Ideas

Grab an A4 sheet of paper and write down at least 20 name ideas.

Find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Mull over each name carefully – your business name should be clear, relevant, and make sense for what you’re offering. (For example, a name related to dogs wouldn’t suit a fish and chip shop!)

Step 2: Get Trusted Opinions (Under NDA!)

Before sharing your ideas, protect them! Have close associates sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before discussing your names.

Find an NDA template in The Business Mountain Documentation Folder on our homepage, or create your own with legal approval.

Now, gather feedback – see what names resonate with others and take on fresh suggestions.

Brainstorm Your Ideas

Make Sense for Your Offering

Step 3: Check Availability

Before you get too attached to a name, check if it’s available:

✔ Companies House (or equivalent in your country) – Ensure the name isn’t already registered.

✔ Trademark Registry – Check for existing trademarks to avoid legal issues.

🚀 If your name is taken? No worries! Adjust with a hyphen, variation, or different spelling – even Rolls-Royce Military Aerospace has a hyphen!

In the U.K., you can always use ‘Surname & Sons’, even if a variation exists – this applies in many countries too.

Final tip: Double-check with local business advisors for any country-specific rules.

Your name is your brand – choose wisely!

Virginia’s 7 W’s …

What are Your Talents?

Virginia’s 7 W’s …

How Do I Decide What Business to Start?

Ask yourself these 7 key questions to uncover the right business for you:

1️⃣ What are your talents? – Your natural skills can shape a strong business.

2️⃣ What are you good at? – Identify areas where you already excel.

3️⃣ What do you have solid experience in? – Knowledge and expertise give you a head start.

4️⃣ What are your strengths? – Leverage what makes you stand out.

5️⃣ What can you do? – List your abilities- big and small.

6️⃣ What can’t you do? – Be honest about your limitations.

7️⃣ What can you imagine yourself doing? – If you can’t see yourself doing it long-term, it’s not the right fit.

Take a moment to answer these for yourself.

The more clarity you gain, the closer you’ll be to discovering a business that fits your skills, passions, and potential for success.

What Preparations Do I Need Before Launching?

GIN’S 4 DECIDES – Get Set for Success

✅ Decide on the type of business you want to run.

✅ Decide where your business will be based.

✅ Decide how you’ll operate your business.

✅ Decide how you’ll fund it.

Study the Competition

Look at similar businesses far outside your area – see how they run, what works, and what doesn’t.

Plan Like a Pro

✔ Write your Business Plan – Map out your vision, strategy, and goals.

✔ Create your Marketing Plan – Know how to attract and retain customers.

Now stop waiting… GO DO IT!

Decide the Type of Business

Decide How You will Fund it …

🏔️ The Business Mountain

20 Clues to Business

One true story. Twenty clues to business, scattered from Yorkshire to London to the world — for every founder, veteran, inventor and creative still finding their route up the mountain.

Climb The Business Mountain

Don't Look Down ... Signature
Don’t Look Down … Signature

🔎CLUE 1…THE NAME THAT WOULDN’T DISAPPEAR

There are 20 Clues to Business in this story … and you may well find the other clues scattered across many of your veterans’ Facebook groups. Every family has stories. Ours has one involving a notorious Yorkshire highwayman from around the 1660s, a mysterious middle name and, nearly 200 years later, a 17-year-old boy with an extraordinary story of his own. The name connecting them? Nevison. Our family fable has long wondered whether we’re connected to “Swift Nick” Nevison. We haven’t proved it. But I have a feeling that one day a genealogist, historian … or someone reading this … will make the connection. There are more intriguing pieces of this puzzle … and all 20 Clues to Business … at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. Perhaps you’ll spot something we’ve missed. 🔎 🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

Veterans ... Mount Etna Tribute
Veterans … Mount Etna Tribute

🎖️CLUE 2…VETERANS: YOU ALREADY HAVE THE SKILLS

There are 20 Clues to Business in this true story of mine … and you may well find the other clues scattered across many of your veterans’ Facebook groups. Remember the civvies working alongside you in your military training classrooms? I was one of them. Planning. Discipline. Teamwork. Risk assessment. Problem solving. Heightened awareness. Getting the job done when circumstances suddenly change. I saw and learnt those skills working alongside soldiers, RAF personnel and Americans in military aerospace. Years later, in the business world, I realised just how valuable those lessons had been. Veterans may already possess many of the skills entrepreneurs spend years trying to learn. Your uniform may have come off. Your skills didn’t disappear with it. Perhaps leaving one intense mission can fire up your own personal mission. 🔥 You can find all 20 Clues to Business at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. 🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

Believe In Yourself ... Entrepreneurs Boardroom (Panda CEO)
Believe In Yourself … Entrepreneurs Boardroom (Panda CEO)

✨CLUE 3…THE BEAUTIFUL BOARDROOM

There are 20 Clues to Business in this true story of mine … and you may well find the other clues scattered across many of your veterans’ Facebook groups. Walk into a beautiful boardroom and it’s very easy to be impressed. Polished tables. Expensive chairs. Impressive offices. Paintings of generations of MDs on the walls. But none of those things tell you whether the business underneath them is actually healthy. Cash flow. Customers. Contracts. Competitors. People. Profit. Those are the things that matter. During my career I’ve seen businesses of very different sizes, and one lesson has stayed with me: Never confuse appearance with substance. Whether you’re buying from a company, selling to one, investing in one … or building your own, look beneath the surface. And when there’s small print, get someone who understands it to read it properly. You can find all 20 Clues to Business at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. 🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

London Rooftops
London Rooftops

🪵CLUE 4…WHAT DID A 17-YEAR-OLD TAKE TO LONDON?

There are 20 Clues to Business in this true story of mine … and you may well find the other clues scattered across many of your veterans’ Facebook groups. Now back to that 17-year-old boy from Clue 1. His name was Robert Nevison Cattle. In 1851, according to our family story, he travelled from Yorkshire to London for the Great Exhibition, held in the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park. And what did he take with him? A wooden washstand with beautifully turned legs, made using the craftsmanship of the family business. The story goes that, at just 17, he was too young to sign himself in. So he rode on horseback all the way back to York to fetch his father to help him sign in. Nearly two centuries later, there’s a business lesson I love in that story: Don’t assume being young means you have nothing worth showing the world. Sometimes you just have to make the journey. You can find all 20 Clues to Business at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. 🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

Burning The Midnight Oil
Burning The Midnight Oil

⏰CLUE 5…BUSINESS CAN BE 24/7 TOO

There are 20 Clues to Business in this true story of mine … and you may well find the other clues scattered across many of your veterans’ Facebook groups. One thing I learnt working alongside military personnel, particularly during the Falklands War and Gulf War, was that being “on duty” doesn’t necessarily end when the working day does. There is a heightened awareness … a readiness to respond when circumstances suddenly change. Business can be remarkably similar. Customers. Suppliers. Staff. Machinery. Deliveries. Cash flow. Problems don’t always wait politely until Monday morning. Running your own business can sometimes feel 24/7. For veterans considering starting a business, that mindset may already be familiar. Being prepared. Staying alert. Adapting quickly. Taking responsibility. You may already have more of the entrepreneurial mindset than you realise. You can find all 20 Clues to Business at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. 🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

Keep Climbing
Keep Climbing

🕳️CLUE 6…WATCH OUT FOR THE CRATERS

There are 20 Clues to Business in this true story of mine … and you may well find the other clues scattered across many of your veterans’ Facebook groups. Every Business Mountain has craters. A supplier lets you down. You get conned or defrauded. A major customer disappears. Cash gets tight. Someone copies your idea. A contract falls through. The economy changes overnight. You cannot predict every crater. But you can look ahead, assess the risks and have contingency plans ready … something many veterans will already understand very well. A war chest springs to mind here. And if you do fall into one? Work out how you got there. Learn from it … and start climbing back out again. The advocates around you will likely help you. Then do your best not to fall into the same crater twice. Business isn’t about never getting knocked down. It’s about dusting yourself off and getting back up again. Phoenix yourself. You can find all 20 Clues to Business at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. 🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

Success Takes Courage
Success Takes Courage

👑CLUE 7…A VERY UNUSUAL KNOCK AT THE DOOR

There are 20 Clues to Business in this true story of mine … and you may well find the other clues scattered across many of your veterans’ Facebook groups. Sometimes in business, the most interesting opportunities are the ones you never planned for. Our family business once received a rather unexpected delivery connected with the Royal Household. One day, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s own private postmaster knocked on my front door, dressed all in black with bright red and gold piping across his uniform. He was delivering, by hand, her poignant and swift reply. It became one of those stories that stayed in the family … along with correspondence and acknowledgements from members of the Royal Family. Nobody sitting around the business table could have put that in a five-year plan. And perhaps that’s the clue. Plan your business carefully … but leave room for the unexpected. You never quite know who might come knocking at your door. You can find all 20 Clues to Business at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. 🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

Cosmic Summit ... The Business Mountain
Cosmic Summit … The Business Mountain

🪧CLUE 8…IF YOU’RE EVER IN SOHO, LONDON … LOOK UP

There are 20 Clues to Business in this true story of mine … and you may well find the other clues scattered across many of your veterans’ Facebook groups. If you’re ever walking through Soho in London, wander down D’Arblay Street … and look up, right next to the street sign. There, tucked away from the modern shopfronts, you can still find an old R N Cattle & Son Limited heritage sign … a little piece of my family’s business history still preserved proudly in London. The Cattles began as wood turners. But businesses … and skills … evolve. Wood turning led to craftsmanship, craftsmanship to precision engineering, and the family’s work later became connected with patterns for the Mosquito aircraft. That progression contains a business clue of its own: Never be frightened to evolve what you already know into something the next generation needs. Sometimes the next business is hiding inside the skills you already have. You can find all 20 Clues to Business at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. 🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

Don't Look Down ... Businesswoman
Don’t Look Down … Businesswoman

🧭CLUE 9…AFTER ADVISING THOUSANDS OF FOUNDERS, YOU SEE THE PATTERNS

There are 20 Clues to Business in this true story of mine … and you may well find the other clues scattered across many of your veterans’ Facebook groups. Over the years, I’ve assisted 3,000+ founders and small businesses. Different people. Different ideas. Different industries. But surprisingly, the same mistakes appear again and again. Rushing ahead. Underestimating costs. Skipping market research. Assuming customers will buy. Forgetting to protect intellectual property. Not reading the small print. The excitement of starting something new can make it very tempting to charge straight up the mountain. But first: Learn the terrain. Because once you’ve seen enough businesses stumble, you start recognising the craters before somebody falls into them. And that’s a skill veterans may recognise too: Reconnaissance before action. You can find all 20 Clues to Business at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. 🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

Veterans ... Forces Emblem
Veterans … Forces Emblem

✈️CLUE 10…EVIDENCE BEFORE ASSUMPTION

There are 20 Clues to Business in this true story of mine … and you may well find the other clues scattered across many of your veterans’ Facebook groups. During my career in military aerospace, I was involved in two aircraft crash investigations. When something has gone terribly wrong, assumptions are dangerous. You follow the evidence. You ask questions. Check the facts. Look again. And sometimes the evidence takes you somewhere you never expected. You do your absolute best for those who have sadly lost their lives, and for those left behind. Years later, I found exactly the same thinking invaluable when working in financial fraud … and eventually in business. One of the most dangerous sentences an entrepreneur can say is: “Everyone will buy this.” Maybe they will. But hope isn’t market research. Test your assumptions. Follow the evidence. You can find all 20 Clues to Business at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. 🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

The Business Mountain Book 4 ... Marketing (Illustrated)
The Business Mountain Book 4 … Marketing (Illustrated)

🗺️CLUE 11…TURN THE MAP SIDEWAYS

There are 20 Clues to Business in this true story of mine … and you may well find the other clues scattered across many of your veterans’ Facebook groups. Sometimes the market you think you’re selling to isn’t your biggest opportunity at all. Over the years, products from my own business found their way into places I hadn’t necessarily imagined at the beginning … major retailers, museums, visitor attractions, hospitals on the other side of the world and other organisations. The product hadn’t fundamentally changed. The customer had. I’ve known water-skiing companies realise they were really boat sellers, and swimming teachers discover that selling confectionery to parents waiting for their children could become a major part of their business. That taught me to ask: Who else buys products like mine? Who else has the same problem my product solves? And importantly: What are all the different sections of my business cake? Sometimes the business you think you’re in is only one slice of the cake. If the obvious route is blocked, don’t always abandon the mission. Sometimes you just need to turn the map sideways and find another route. You can find all 20 Clues to Business at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. 🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

The Business Mountain ... Complete Business Blueprint (Book Stack)
The Business Mountain … Complete Business Blueprint (Book Stack)

📚CLUE 12…“VIRGINIA, WHERE’S YOUR BOOK?”

There are 20 Clues to Business in this true story of mine … and you may well find the other clues scattered across many of your veterans’ Facebook groups. For years I had been assisting founders, start-ups, inventors and medium-sized businesses … from coffee shops and hairdressers to engine designers and all sorts of businesses in between. Then there were the people with just a thread of a business idea … something they had only just thought of, or perhaps had dreamed about for years. Many of them asked me a very simple question: “Virginia, where’s your book?” Good question. I had accumulated decades of experience across engineering, finance, fraud, invention, retail and entrepreneurship … across very different working worlds. But most of that knowledge was still sitting with me. So I started writing it down. One book led to another … and The Business Mountain … Don’t Look Down series began. There’s a clue in that too. Sometimes you’re so busy helping other people build their mountain that you don’t realise what else is possible. “Look up now & again” is one of my mottos. Sometimes it takes a few other people to point that out. You can find all 20 Clues to Business at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. 🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

Persist With Purpose ... Penguin
Persist With Purpose … Penguin

🌍CLUE 13…THEN THE WORLD STOPPED MORE THAN ONCE

There are 20 Clues to Business in this true story of mine … and you may well find the other clues scattered across many of your veterans’ Facebook groups. We had the Global Financial Crisis in 2007 to 2009 … and then came COVID in 2020. Businesses everywhere suddenly faced circumstances few could possibly have planned for. Some stopped almost overnight. Others were overwhelmed with demand. Supply chains broke. Customers changed their habits. Staff couldn’t work. The map changed. And yet people still started businesses. 2008 🇬🇧 UK … 267,000 business births 🇺🇸 USA … ~2.56m business applications 2009 🇬🇧 UK … 236,000 business births 🇺🇸 USA … ~2.40m business applications March 2020 to January 2022 🇬🇧 UK … 1.43m businesses established 2020 🇺🇸 USA … ~4.3m business applications 2021 🇺🇸 USA … ~5.4m business applications The UK and US measure these differently, so the figures aren’t directly comparable … but look at the scale. When economies were being shaken to their foundations, millions of people were still prepared to start something. You are not alone! My own path changed too, eventually taking me into the care sector to assist with the care of the community … somewhere I certainly hadn’t expected my career to take me. Then life changed again. I’m now disabled myself. My plans have had to change. My pace has had to change. But that doesn’t mean I have to stop doing something. Neither do you. Your “something” doesn’t have to start with premises, employees or thousands of pounds. It might start with an idea. A laptop. A kitchen table. A skill you already possess. You can have a 5-year, 10-year or even 20-year plan … but no plan can predict everything. Plan ahead. Build a war-chest buffer … and be prepared to adapt when the mountain moves underneath you. If disability, redundancy, retirement or circumstances have changed what you can do, look at what you CAN do. Start there. Sometimes adversity doesn’t just close doors. It creates new ones. You can find all 20 Clues to Business at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. 🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

Built Not Bought Emerald Crater
Built Not Bought Emerald Crater

🏔️CLUE 14…DIFFERENT BUSINESSES. SAME CRATERS.

There are 20 Clues to Business in this true story of mine … and you may well find the other clues scattered across many of your veterans’ Facebook groups. A one-person start-up and a multimillion-pound company might look worlds apart. But underneath? They can fall into exactly the same craters. Cash flow. Weak contracts. Poor communication. Recruitment. Suppliers. Customers. Intellectual property. Fraud. Growth that happens too quickly. Assumptions that were never tested. The numbers may have more zeros on the end … but many of the problems are remarkably similar. That’s something I learnt moving between large organisations, small businesses, start-ups and running my own company. So don’t be intimidated by the size of somebody else’s mountain. Put your blinkers on, just like a racehorse. Don’t get distracted by other people’s businesses. Run your own race. Yes, keep a cursory eye on your competitors … you need to know what’s happening around you. But do it your way, do it better, do it succinctly, and never, ever compromise yourself or your business. Bigger doesn’t mean they know everything. And being small doesn’t mean you can’t compete. Learn the fundamentals. Know your numbers. Protect what you create. Listen to your customers. Surround yourself with people who know the things you don’t. And remember: Every mountain has craters. The trick is learning how to spot them before you fall in … and knowing that any crater can be climbed out of. You can find all 20 Clues to Business at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. 🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

Tbm But I Never Listen
Tbm But I Never Listen

🎤CLUE 15…90 MINUTES OF QUESTIONS

There are 20 Clues to Business in this true story of mine … and you may well find the other clues scattered across many of your veterans’ Facebook groups. In 2022, I was invited to speak at the British Library Business & IP Centre. Afterwards came something perhaps even more valuable: Around 90 minutes of questions. Questions tell you what people actually want to know. The same applies in business. Listen carefully to the questions your customers ask. Listen to what confuses them, frustrates them, worries them … or keeps coming up again and again. Because hidden inside those questions could be your next product, service or business opportunity. But don’t just listen for the answer you want to hear. Solve your customers’ problems. Solve your staff’s problems too. When you begin removing the things that repeatedly cause friction, something rather interesting can happen. The music begins to play. You may eventually reach what I call “tick-tock sales” … self-perpetuating sales that need little encouragement or interference to keep moving. For many businesses, that is the summit. Customers understand what you offer. Your people know what they’re doing. The systems work. Recommendations spread. Sales lead naturally to more sales. So listen. Not simply for the answer to the question … listen for the opportunity contained within it. You can find all 20 Clues to Business at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. 🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

Lead With Love ... Elephants
Lead With Love … Elephants

🔄CLUE 16…THE BUSINESS WHERE NOBODY LEAVES

There are 20 Clues to Business in this true story of mine … and you may well find the other clues scattered across many of your veterans’ Facebook groups. There is one business that does exist. And, for me, this is something of the Holy Grail of business … it’s taken me 40 years to really understand it. The business where nobody wants to leave. Of course, eventually people retire. Founders grow older. Technology changes. New generations arrive with different skills and ideas. But people don’t necessarily have to spend their working lives looking for the exit. I’ve worked in organisations where enormous amounts of knowledge and experience sat with the employees themselves. When experienced people walk out of the door, the business can lose far more than an employee. It can lose decades of knowledge. So what happens when a company works relentlessly to solve the problems its employees encounter? Imagine asking somebody why they have worked for the same company for 35+ years and hearing: “Well … we don’t really have any problems.” Now that is interesting. Add regular bonuses, so employees effectively share in some of the success they helped create, and something else can begin to happen. People stay. Knowledge stays. Experience is passed down. You may even see generations of the same families choosing to work for the business … and employees remaining until retirement. Money alone won’t create that loyalty. Remove the problems. Share the success. Value the experience. Look after your people. Veterans will recognise the importance of passing experience down the line. Business needs that too. Perhaps the Holy Grail isn’t simply finding great employees. Perhaps it’s creating the kind of business great employees don’t want to leave. You can find all 20 Clues to Business at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. 🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

Start Your Journey ... Panda
Start Your Journey … Panda

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦CLUE 17…THE INVISIBLE APPRENTICESHIPS

There are 20 Clues to Business in this true story of mine … and you may well find the others scattered across many of your veterans’ Facebook groups. People sometimes pontificate about children joining family businesses … or generations of the same families working for one company. But consider this. Children of founders and employees can spend years absorbing conversations about customers, suppliers, problems, successes and disasters around the kitchen table. Perhaps it’s an invisible apprenticeship. That doesn’t automatically make them capable … but it can give them knowledge, loyalty and an extraordinary head start. Then invest in them. Veterans will recognise this immediately. In military aerospace, training never really stopped. Sometimes I was told that morning I was on a course. Sometimes it was practically: “Go home. Pack. You’re going to XXX for a week’s training.” 😂 Experience mattered … but so did continually developing it. Business should be no different. Train people. Develop them. Pass knowledge down. Give the next generation opportunities. The question shouldn’t simply be: “Are they family?” It should be: “Are they capable … and can we help them become the very best they can be?” Businesses invest in equipment, technology and buildings. Never forget to invest in the people who make them work. You can find all 20 Clues to Business at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. 🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

Veterans ... Leather Wheelchair (Lady)
Veterans … Leather Wheelchair (Lady)

🩼CLUE 18…THEN I FELL INTO MY OWN CRATER

There are 20 Clues to Business in this true story of mine … and you may well find the other clues scattered across many of your veterans’ Facebook groups. I had spent years advising other people about the craters they might encounter. Then, in 2023, I fell into one of my own. An accident at work changed my life. Suddenly rehabilitation became the priority. Plans slowed down. Things I had previously done without thinking became difficult, and other people had to help carry parts of my life forward. There wasn’t a business plan on earth that could have predicted that. But the mountain was still there. So was everything I had already built. And so was I. Progress doesn’t always mean moving at the speed you planned. Sometimes it simply means finding a different way to keep moving. If circumstances have knocked you sideways … through injury, disability or something else … don’t automatically assume your ideas have to disappear with your old way of life. Adapt them. I may currently be a rehabilitation super snail 🐌😂 … but I can still use what I know to help others climb their own Business Mountain. Keep climbing … however slowly. You can find all 20 Clues to Business at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. 🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

Cute Baby Animals ... The Business Mountain
Cute Baby Animals … The Business Mountain

🔑CLUE 19…WHY RABBITTS?

There are 20 Clues to Business in this true story of mine … and you may well find the other clues scattered across many of your veterans’ Facebook groups. So why build http://Rabbitts.com? Because I didn’t want another website that felt like a filing cabinet. I wanted somewhere people could explore. Books. Business documents. Podcasts. Membership. History. Experience. Ideas. The beginnings of a motivational collection … and plenty more still to come. In many ways, it’s everything I wish had been at my fingertips when I started out in business. Questions answered. Information I’m going to need. Business knowledge I’m looking for. Warnings I need to know about. Something I can read up on. The Business Mountain at my fingertips. And perhaps most importantly: I am not alone. You might arrive looking for one thing … and open another door entirely. That’s part of the idea. Businesses don’t have to stand still, and neither does this one. http://Rabbitts.com has only just opened. It’s there for anyone who wants to listen, learn, explore and find their own way forward … whatever their circumstances. Consider this the beginning of the adventure … not the finished map. You can find all 20 Clues to Business at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. 🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

USA Veterans ... Mount Etna (Flag Raised)
USA Veterans … Mount Etna (Flag Raised)

🎖️CLUE 20…VETERANS: WHAT’S YOUR NEXT MISSION?

There are 20 Clues to Business in this true story of mine … and if you’ve followed them this far, you’ve reached the final one. During your military career you may have planned, adapted, solved problems, worked in teams, operated under pressure, taken responsibility … and carried on when circumstances changed without warning. Those abilities didn’t disappear when you left the Services. You may be retired or semi-retired. You may be working full-time or part-time. You may be disabled or limited in what you can physically do. Or you may simply be wondering: What comes next? Perhaps it’s an invention. Perhaps it’s a service. Perhaps it’s a business. Perhaps it’s an idea that has been sitting quietly in your head for years. You don’t need to know the whole route today. You just need somewhere to start. So here is the final clue … and perhaps the most important question of all: What if the skills needed for your next mission are skills you already possess? The discipline is still there. The training is still there. The experience is still there. Now … what are you going to do with them? All 20 Clues to Business are waiting at the end of the Secrets page on http://Rabbitts.com. 🏔️ Persistence & Determination. DON’T LOOK DOWN.

Keep Going ... The Mountain Is Waiting

🏔️ Persistence & Determination.

DON’T LOOK DOWN.