First Officer

With First Officer, you don't just get advice — you get a partner committed to your success. Whether you're tackling specific challenges, need a sounding board for big decisions, or want to keep your business on track, I'm here to support you every step of the way.

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Who's it For?

First Officer is for busy soloists and founders who value external support and guidance from an industry veteran. If you identify with one of the following, we're probably a great fit.

• Soloist — You are your business. While you might outsource tasks like accounting, it's mostly just you juggling everything. You know a healthy pipeline would change your business, but just can't find the time to think about marketing — let alone do it while still managing client work, sales, and everything else.
• Founder — You started (or co-founded) a business that's grown into a team. Whether by design or accident, you now juggle 1-1s, sales calls, proposals, relationship building and the work. Your biggest challenges? Attracting and retaining clients while managing the complexities of a growing business.

Since starting my consultancy in 2018, I've been privileged to provide my expertise to soloists and founders from a wide range of businesses, including Alvio, Archer Cooper, Beyond Tellerrand, Birmingham Museums Trust Museum and Art Gallery, Colonna Coffee, Disco Labs, Forsberg+two, Fourth Wall Content, Gadget, Gorgias, Kno Commerce, Llanerch Vineyard, Mantle, Milk Bottle Labs, Recharge, Space Squirrel, The Taproom, Sufio, Swanky, The Support Heroes, Three Acres, Tidio, Toward, Treen, Union Works, We Make Websites, Whitecap SEO, Zapiet and more.

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How I've Helped Others Like You

Coaching and advisory services can often feel nebulous and hard to qualify — I get it. Measuring ROI is tough; it's often more about the confidence and clarity you gain than cold, hard cash in the bank. But that confidence and clarity will lead you to make smarter decisions, better performance, and growth over time.

But it's important to know exactly where I can offer support, guidance, and expertise. To give you a clearer picture, here are a few recent examples of how I've been helping soloists and founders like you:

• Business Strategy — I've helped soloists and founders gain clarity on their vision and break down complex business goals into actionable, step-by-step plans, enabling them to grow with confidence.
• Content Marketing — Together, we've developed content strategies that attract ideal clients, improve engagement, and position business as a leader in their niche, leading to more consistent leads and sales.
• Event Marketing — I've worked with clients to design and promote impactful events, from webinars to live workshops, that not only raise brand awareness but also build stronger connections with their community and customers.
• Partner Marketing — I've supported founders in building strategic partnerships and create co-marketing initiatives that help create new opportunities and support their business growth.
• Accountability — By providing regular check‐ins and ongoing support, I've helped clients stay focused, overcome distractions, and make continuous progress toward their goals, helping them get where they want to go.
• Limiting Beliefs — I've worked with clients to identify and shift limiting beliefs around pricing, imposter syndrome, and their own potential, helping them build the confidence they need to take big steps and achieve their vision.
• Network Building — Through introductions, strategic advice, and event participation, I've helped multiple soloists and founders grow and nurture their networks, connecting them with industry leaders, collaborators, and potential customers.
• Resources — I've provided clients with templates, guides, and actionable tools, giving them the resources they need to streamline processes, improve their efficiency, and confidently get s**t done.

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Meet Your First Officer

Hello, I'm Keir! I'm a business and marketing consultant and event host specialising in supporting soloists and founders (many working in the Shopify Partner ecosystem) who want to improve and grow their businesses but aren't sure where to start.

I've spent the last 20 years working in the web, tech, and ecommerce industries. I started out as a web developer, morphed into product marketing and was the second hire on Shopify's nascent Partnerships team in 2012.

For the last six years, I've been building my own consulting practice and have offered a variety of advisory, coaching, and mentoring services to clients around the world. One thing I've learned is that, despite offering structured coaching programs, sometimes people just need someone they can talk to when they need it most. It doesn't always have to mean a regular call at set times — sometimes, it's about having flexible, on-demand access to the right advice at the right moment.

That's why I created First Officer — a flexible, on-demand program designed to help you, the captain of your business, move forward. It's a service built to support you with advice and guidance whenever you need it, helping you build a stronger business without the commitment of traditional coaching. Together, we'll keep you on track, focused, and growing.

You can learn more about me and my background on my about page.

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What's the Cost?

Are you ready to break out of your marketing rut? To get started, complete my short intake form, and I'll be in touch within 24 hours to get things started.

Book a First Officer Consultation →

If you're ready to break the cycle of inactivity and move your business forward, get in touch and let's have a conversation.

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Previous Clients

Since starting my consultancy in 2018 I've been privileged to work with soloists and founders from a wide range of businesses including Alvio, Archer Cooper, Beyond Tellerrand, Birmingham Museums Trust Museum and Art Gallery, Colonna Coffee, Disco Labs, Forsberg+two, Fourth Wall Content, Gadget, Gorgias, Kno Commerce, Llanerch Vineyard, Mantle, Milk Bottle Labs, Recharge, Space Squirrel, The Taproom, Sufio, Swanky, The Support Heroes, Three Acres, Tidio, Toward, Treen, Union Works, We Make Websites, Whitecap SEO, Zapiet and more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions? Here's everything you need to know about how First Officer works.

Q: What is First Officer?

First Officer is my name for my coaching and advisory service designed for soloists and founders. It provides tailored support, advice, and accountability without the commitment of a long-term program.

Q: Is First Officer different from other coaching programs?

Unlike other offers you may have seen, First Officer is designed to fit around your schedule and needs. There are no set times for our strategy sessions (unless you want) or lengthy programs and assignments you have to complete — just support when you need it, with regular check-ins to keep you on track.

Q: Who is First Officer for?

First Officer is perfect for soloists, founders, and entrepreneurs who want ongoing support and guidance but don't want the rigidity of a full coaching program. It's ideal for Shopify Partners, but soloists and founders who are growing a creative or digital business will also benefit.

Find out why I specialise in working with Shopify Partners.

Q: What kind of help will I get?

You'll receive advice on various business topics, including business development, marketing strategy, leadership, content planning, and more. It's tailored to your specific needs and challenges. We'll work out your focus areas in our initial working sessions.

Q: How does First Officer work?

You'll have on-demand access to me for quick questions and guidance via Slack or email. There are also monthly strategy sessions to focus on your current business challenges. You can reach out as often as you need, and we'll set up regular check-ins to ensure you're on track.

Q: Do I need to commit to a long-term program?

No, First Officer is a month-to-month relationship. I issue invoices on the first of the month in advance, and you can pause or cancel at any time. Payments are via bank transfer, or if you prefer, I can set up a Stripe subscription, so you don't have to worry about manual payments.

Q: Can I really cancel at any time?

Absolutely. All I ask is that you notify me of your intention to cancel before the first of the following month, and you won't be billed again. I do not offer mid-month refunds.

Q: How often will we meet?

First Officer includes two 60-minute strategy sessions per month, but you don't have to use them both. You can also get in touch anytime via Slack and email. It's completely adaptable to your schedule and priorities. Additionally, my accountability surveys will help you keep you on track.

Q: How quickly can I expect a response?

I aim to respond as quickly as possible via Slack or email. Timezones may affect response times, but you can typically expect a reply within hours (frequently quicker), so you'll never be left waiting long for the support you need.

Q: Can I schedule a 1-1 call if needed?

Yes! If you need to talk something through, you can always schedule a short ad-hoc 1-1 call. Whether it's a quick clarification or a deeper discussion, I'll be there to help when you need it most.

Q: How do I know if it's helping?

You'll see the impact in clearer decision-making, better focus, and steady progress toward your goals. We'll track outcomes that matter to you—like achieving milestones, improving workflows, or building momentum. It's not just about numbers; it's the clarity and confidence to navigate your business effectively.

Q: I'm a bit sceptical about having a coach, should I be?

It's perfectly okay to feel that way — coaching isn't for everyone. My approach is a healthy mix of coaching, advice, and mentoring tailored to your needs. (I once thought "Consulching" would be a great name for it, but after two minutes, I realised how terrible that sounded!)

The goal isn't to give you all the answers but to help you find clarity, stay accountable, and make smarter decisions. If you're open to fresh perspectives and ready to take action, it can be transformative. Not sure if it's the right fit? Let's chat and find out.

Q: I'm based outside of the UK. Can we still work together?

Absolutely. I work with clients in Europe, the USA (EST & PST), Canada and beyond. Some early starts and late finishes on either side may be required, but we usually make it work!

Q: Why is it called First Officer?

I wanted a name that conveyed someone knowledgeable, trustworthy, and experienced—but a little behind the scenes. With my love of the jet age and aviation, I initially landed on Co‐Pilot, but it's already widely used. After some thought, I decided on First Officer — the person sitting next to the captain (you), working in the background to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Q: May I speak with a couple of references about working with you?

Of course, please get in touch, and I'll join the dots.

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Get Started Today

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