Who I will and
won’t work with
Are we aligned on what matters?
What I Require Of Every Family I Work With
There are 5 criteria I hold in order to determine if my work will be effective and worth a conversation, because my most successful projects have been with families where all five were true.
There must be love in the room
I work with families who want to stay together, not separate, because my work is to protect the family and its future Businesses. If the goal is dissolution of the family business then I can recommend a trusted specialist.
Similarly, I don’t work with families where people are already in legal disputes with one another - only with families where everyone agrees that 'we can and should work this out, together’ - i.e. when there’s love in the room.Everyone comes to the table
Real change doesn't happen when only one person shows up. The work requires all key family members to participate — not just the ones who feel ready, but the ones who feel reluctant too.In some cases, being the one family member keen to bringing others to the table is the challenge - see the section about coaching for more information if that is the situation you are in.
You're willing to look at yourself, not just blame others
Sometimes people approach me asking if I can help them change their brother, son, or mother - but if your goal is for other people to change but not yourself, I won’t be able to help you. If you’re the instigator of seeking support, then you must be prepared to be the first one to change. Transformation requires self-awareness, and the courage to apply it within your family systemYou are prepared to invest in my perspective
My perspective as a woman and as someone who has lived family enterprise from the inside is part of what my clients benefit from.My fees are an investment and are commensurate with the decades of experience and continued education that I bring to this work, and as such are non-negotiable.
We can find lightness together
The work might be serious, but that doesn’t mean it has to be heavy or that we can’t have some fun. In fact my clients highly value the warmth, humour and empathy I bring to the process.
If you're reading this and nodding, we might be a good fit, let’s have that conversation.
Who This Isn’t For
In the spirit of honesty - and saving
everyone's time.
This work isn't right for every family. And not every family is right for this work.
If you're looking for a quick fix or a templated solution, there are firms better suited to that. If the goal is to manage a conflict rather than resolve what's underneath it, a mediator may serve you better. If key family members aren't willing to participate, we're not yet at the starting line, but a personal coaching programme might be a good place to start.
And if the instinct is to change everyone else in the room without looking inward — that's a conversation worth having before we begin.
None of this is a judgement. It's simply a recognition that the right fit matters — for your family, and for me.
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Why This Matters
I work with families who want to stay together, not separate. High-conflict mediation is not my work.
My Advice
You need a mediator, not me. I can recommend someone excellent who specialises in families who are in deep conflict or who have already decided to part ways.
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Why This Matters
My perspective as a woman is part of what I bring. If that's not what you’re looking for, we're not a fit.
My Advice
The Big Three have excellent teams who'd love your business. Tell them I sent you.
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Why This Matters
People who try to control my process are uncoachable. This is a red flag for how they treat their family too.
My Advice
If you'd like someone to simply execute your instructions, someone out there will be delighted to bill you handsomely for the privilege.
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Why This Matters
No self-awareness = no transformation possible. This is a tick-box exercise, not real work.
My Advice
You need therapy, not consultancy. I say that with genuine care. I have some excellent recommendations.
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Why This Matters
This work is hard. If you can't find lightness together, the process will be grinding for everyone.
My Advice
Life's too short. Find someone who matches your energy.
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Why This Matters
Time is precious. If travel is excessive or if you’re in a location I’ve decided not to serve, that's a boundary I won’t be able to cross.
My Advice
I'd love to help, but I'm not the right person for this geography. Let me connect you with someone closer to home.
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Why This Matters
Transformation requires openness. If you already know all the answers, why are you calling me?
My Advice
It sounds like you've got this figured out. Best of luck with it.
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Why This Matters
"I know how to fix this. I just need your name as a seal of approval." This isn't advisory work — it's rubber-stamping.
My Advice
You don't need me. You need a logo. The Big Five have lovely ones.
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Why This Matters
When someone arrives with a predetermined solution or a brief for a charter or constitution, they've skipped the diagnosis. The document you’re asking for isn’t the answer: thinking that it is, that’s the problem.
My Advice
Are you sure you need this?
Do you need an orthopaedic surgeon or a nurse? Do you want a plaster or a solution?
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Why This Matters
If you don't trust me from the outset, you never will. Trust is the foundation — without it, nothing else works.
My Advice
This only works if we trust each other. If we're not there, that's okay.
Testimonials
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"Her work is emotionally intelligent, brave, and disruptive—in a healthy, growth-focused way. She has a mix of strength of character along with empathy."
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"Chemistry. We looked at various options, Mairi seemed the right fit with the family. Fairly direct and robust with her questions."
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"It was pretty difficult, not an easy process. Came in at a very difficult time. Opened up a lot of things. Positive in the long run."
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"Direct but empathetic: she calls a spade a spade but navigates nuance delicately."