Entrepreneurial Alumni

Ada Offonry

Posted 01 April 2019

New York Program

September 2001 Intake

Describe your business and your role within it
My business is an Executive and Career coaching firm (adaoffonry.com). I help business professionals build careers that they are motivated by, and help business professionals to advance their careers in the most meaningful way possible.

How did you get into this line of business?
My career has been within the financial services industry, first within Investment Banking, and subsequently as an Executive Headhunter, working with Global Hedge Funds and Investment Banks. When I was on the Mountbatten program, I worked at Citigroup in New York and that is where I learnt a lot of the fundamental business knowledge I would go on to apply throughout my career. During that time, I realised that I also really enjoyed working in the US and so I have consciously built a career where I have worked and lived in both the UK and US

How did you go about setting it up and getting established?
I paid attention to the aspects of my previous role that I enjoyed and my clients cited as being most valuable to them. Then I realised that there was a need in the market to offer an insiders perspective to prospective job seekers and career transitioners. I also invested in myself by gaining professional training as a coach before launching my business.

What else is in the pipeline?
I am in the process of creating programs that will be available to those who might not be in the position to get 1:1 coaching.

What has been the proudest moment in your working life thus far?
I was proud of launching and the great feedback that I have received so far.

What has been your biggest mistake/learning experience?
Feeling that you need to know everything before you start. Entrepreneurship is a journey, you learn by doing.

Any words of advice/wisdom would you impart to others thinking of setting up their own business?
Do your research and invest in yourself if it will help you be more confident or offer a better quality product or service. Then just do it, it will never feel like the right time, but you will figure it out.



Ada Offonry
CAREER TRANSFORMATION STRATEGIST
Schedule a 1:1 discovery session - https://adaoffonry.as.me/
Find out more at adaoffonry.com