How small business mentoring kickstarted Datsit’s journey

“I came from a background where you just deal with it yourself. You just figure it out. But Digital Boost showed me I didn’t have to do it all alone.”

When Steve Anyiwo first encountered Digital Boost’s small business mentoring programme at an SME Expo, he’ll be the first to admit he was a sceptic. As a founder formulating moisturisers for his twin daughters’ sensitive skin, he was used to the “DIY” life.

“I was a bit frosty,” Steve laughs, recalling his first interaction. “I didn’t want to hear about elevator pitches or exit plans, I just wanted to make my cream.”

But after his freelance work was halted by the pandemic, Steve realised that a great product wasn’t enough to survive a global crisis. He needed a business strategy, a roadmap, and a sounding board. That’s when he turned to the Digital Boost community to help turn his passion into a professional brand: Datsit.

Humble Beginnings

Steve’s story didn’t start with a business plan; it started with a father’s concern. Eight years ago, he was “flabbergasted” by the chemical ingredients found in high-end commercial creams. Some of which he discovered could have long-term health implications for his children.

Fuelled by a mission to create something better, he spent a year researching and testing formulations in his kitchen until he found the perfect formula. For years, it remained a family secret – until the 2020 lockdowns forced a career pivot. Steve went from being a freelance graphic designer to a full-time entrepreneur, navigating the “scary” world of lab testing, compliance, and trademarking.

Breaking the One-Man Band Cycle

For many small business owners, the solo-founder mindset is a survival mechanism. Steve was no different, managing everything from manufacturing to manual sales.

“Coming from a background of being a freelancer, you’re a one-man band,” Steve explains. “You’re the accountant, you’re the tea boy, you’re everything. You think you have to have all the answers.”

However, Steve soon hit a wall. Transitioning from a hobby to a professional brand was a “steep learning curve” that equired specialised knowledge. As he faced the rigorous requirements of lab reports, sanitisation standards, and registering products on portals, he realised that trying to master every department alone wasn’t just exhausting; it was slowing Datsit’s growth. To move from a kitchen-table operation to a scalable business, he knew he had to stop being a “one-man band” and start seeking outside expertise.

Scaling a Small Business with Mentoring

Steve’s turning point came when he engaged with Digital Boost’s small business mentoring service.. He was matched with expert mentors – including a senior professional from NatWest and a specialist mentor who helped him strip away the jargon and focus on what mattered.

“The mentoring sessions were priceless,” says Steve. “It wasn’t just about the advice; it was about having someone tell me, ‘You’re doing okay, but let’s look at this differently.’ They helped me with the nitty-gritty: business planning, forecasting, and the fundamentals of fundraising.”

Turning AI into an ‘Extra Staff Member’

One of the most transformative parts of Steve’s journey was embracing technology that he’d previously found intimidating. By participating in Digital Boost’s AI course, Steve learned how to use AI to bridge the gap between his small team and his big ambitions.

“I use AI as a staff member,” Steve says. Instead of spending hours staring at a blank page or guessing what his customers wanted, he used the skills from the course to:

1. Identify his ideal customer: By using AI to analyse his website and social media data, Steve identified exactly who was buying his products and why.
2. Scale his content: Steve uses AI to draft newsletters that maintain his unique brand voice. “It helps me get the structure down, so I can just go in and polish it.”

Words of Wisdom

If you’re sitting on an idea or feeling overwhelmed by the “business” side of things, Steve has a simple message: Don’t let over-researching kill your dream.

“Over-researching is what kills a lot of these ideas,” he warns. “Research your problem and how your solution addresses it, but do not over-research to the point it puts you out of the game.”

Get Free Small Business Mentoring with Digital Boost

Steve’s been on an incredible journey to build Datsit, and we’re honoured to have been part of his story 😊 He’s proof that with the right support, anything is possible ✨

Inspired by Steve’s story? Whether you’re looking for help with your marketing strategy, your business plan, or your first steps into AI, the Digital Boost community is here to help!

Join thousands of founders like Steve who are growing their businesses with free, expert support.