Being promoted to director at the age of just 28, less than a year into her role, was something Mia Menzies never imagined. And, while excited to be taking the step up, it left her with a serious case of imposter syndrome, especially working in the male-dominated field of property and interior design. 
 
“I knew my age and my lack of experience meant I was not the norm, so I had a lot of self-doubt. I’m quite good at putting on a front so I don’t think most people realised, but, deep down, I had doubts about my ability.” 

Mia joined Cheshire-based interior design and home automation company Hestia in 2024 as a client and project manager and was promoted seven months later. While she knew she was bringing value to the company, a one-stop shop for high-net-worth clients, combining home automation with interior design, she was worried her lack of management experience would put her at a disadvantage. 
 
“My dad’s an entrepreneur, I feel like I got traits from him, but I didn’t really have a background in management, strategy, operations, or people management.” 

So, when her Managing Director, a Help to Grow: Management alumnus himself, suggested she give the course a go, she jumped at the chance, enrolling at the Lancaster University Management School in October 2025. 

“I was up for it straight away. Because of my lack of experience and my age, I knew I probably needed to go above and beyond if I wanted to be successful.” 

Instant impact

From the outset, Mia began to reap the benefits of the course, wasting no time in setting up sessions with the business mentor she was allocated (something all participants are offered.) 

Her one-to-one sessions with mentor Justine Upton, of The Perpetual Growth Partnership, helped her begin to unpick specific problems within the business, as well as giving her a much-needed confidence boost. 

“She was absolutely incredible, completely brilliant. My conversations with her were very specific to my business and  what we were trying to do. 

“She was a really good listener. It was nice to have somebody I could vent to, who could then digest what I was saying and come up with action points and a plan.” 

The relationship has continued well beyond the course.  

“We still message each other, and when the company’s in the right position,  we’d love to bring her in to help with future projects.” 

Building a CRM from scratch

One tangible outcome of the mentoring was Hestia’s first CRM system. 

“I’d started speaking to my mentor early on about the CRM; what we needed it to do, what it needed to look like, what it was tracking. We’d already started building it by the time we got to the module on digital systems, so I was then able to use the course content to help build on my own learning.” 

Although originally concerned about introducing formal systems to Hestia’s small, non-hierarchical team, the response has been very positive.  

“The company is very laidback, there’s no micromanaging. Because of that, I really didn’t think being told you have to tick all these new boxes was going to land, but it’s actually been great.

A newfound confidence

Felt confident in her role

Installed a new CRM

Reflecting on the course, Mia believes some of its greatest value was validation of what she already knew, boosting her confidence in her new role. 

“The reassurance that I do know what I’m talking about, that I deserve to be in the role I’m in was worth so much. It’s given me a huge amount of confidence. Before, I almost had to double-check everything with the MD. Now I’m just running with it. 

“The team notice it, the boss notices it. Everyone’s said, ‘You’ve really changed.’” 

Her advice to anyone considering the course is simple. “Do it, 100%. Don’t hesitate, and don’t worry about the time out of the business. It was so beneficial to take a step away. I’d recommend it to anybody in the same position as me, who’s maybe been promoted to director level, feeling a bit of imposter syndrome, or needing a confidence boost.” 

With Hestia’s foundations now in place, Mia’s sights are set on sustainable growth.  

“The overall goal is to grow Hestia sustainably and profitably. But personally, developing the team is something I really want to focus on – to keep being a hands-on leader that helps strategically grow the team.” 

Find out how the Help to Grow: Management Course can further your business here.

Ready to Grow?

With 60 business schools around the UK, there will be a Help to Grow: Management Course starting near you soon. Don't miss your chance to register.