Across the East Midlands, small businesses and charities face tighter margins, rising costs, and fewer opportunities for traditional consultancy support.
The most valuable insights come from conversation – between leaders who understand the local landscape and share a goal of helping others progress. This foundation of shared learning and collaboration is what SoundingBoard is built upon.
SoundingBoard Director George Oliver said: “We created SoundingBoard to unlock the potential that already exists within our local business community.
“By bringing experienced people together around one table, we make space for honest discussion and practical exchange – something every organisation can benefit from.”
SoundingBoard connects small organisations with panels of experienced volunteer business leaders for confidential two-hour sessions. These sessions provide space to share ideas, explore challenges, and exchange practical perspectives.
There are no fees, sales pitches, or formal consultancy – just open dialogue centred on experience and shared learning. What might cost thousands commercially, SoundingBoard delivers freely as a community exchange model fuelled by generosity and shared purpose.
This community-led approach works because it’s grounded in real experience. Local business owners bring a lived understanding of economic pressures, talent challenges, and regional opportunities. Their insights go beyond theory – they’re actionable and rooted in the same environment their peers operate in.
Businesses supported through SoundingBoard have reported improved confidence, new growth strategies, and stronger connections within the local business network.
A creative business in Leicestershire said: “Before going into nCourage I was working on a variety of businesses and was a little unsure which one to focus on.
“The session helped me focus on the business I cared about most and gave me the confidence to keep moving forward.”
Volunteers on SoundingBoard’s panels give their time because they believe that knowledge is a resource worth sharing.
By creating an inclusive space for learning and collaboration, SoundingBoard ensures that high-quality business conversations remain open to everyone, not just those who can afford professional consultancy.