August 14, 2021
Entrepreneurs, Female Founder Spotlight, Latest Articles

Female Founder Spotlight: Cat Divers

7 March 2021|Latest Posts, Meet the Successful Founder

IWD Inspirational Female Founders Spotlight: Cat Divers

Glasgow-based Founder and CEO, Cat Divers, created not-for-profit company My Pickle CIC (My Pickle, from the phrase ‘in a pickle’) based on personal experience. Having faced and overcome personal challenges she understands how hard it can be to find support and wanted to help others. Since leaving her City career behind her in 2018 the initiative has quickly gained momentum and Cat has been recognised in NatWest’s SE100 ‘Top 25 Trailblazing Newcomer’ and as a Finalist in the UK Social Entrepreneur Index and Computing’s Rising Stars Awards.

My Pickle makes it easy for anyone in the UK facing crisis to find help fast. They do this by finding, vetting and signposting national support services such as helplines and apps at mypickle.org. Launching in late 2020, they already signpost to over 1,750 helpful resources covering topics such as health, money and housing.

What would you love to share to encourage other women to start their own business?

You are going to die one day. Sorry, grim but inevitable! Think about the change you want to make, the legacy you want to be remembered for and the lives of those around you to inspire. Take (calculated) risks and have fun. If it fails, at least you will have learned new skills and knowledge that you can return to the job market with. You only live once. Go for it.

What are your top 5 tips for entrepreneurial success?

Research the problem. At the start I was focused on financial exclusion but after research I recognised a much wider social-cultural need to reduce the barriers preventing many from getting the help they need when they need it. Now our strategy is focused on breaking down these barriers one by one, beginning with raising awareness of support that’s out there.
Look for support. There are many support organisations and initiatives that can help you through workshops, advice and mentoring. Reach out to Business Gateway, Social Enterprise UK or your local council to find out what help they can offer.
Ask for help. I hate asking for help because it makes me feel like a burden but when I overcame this and put a call out for volunteers I was overwhelmed with responses. Over 200 volunteers have helped progress this initiative so far – and they benefit too through gaining skills, experience and being part of our friendly community.
Ask for and listen to feedback. It can be time-consuming but there is nothing more valuable in the early stages. Reach out to others in the field, potential customers and take on board their feedback to improve what you are creating.
Mind yourself. This is probably going to be a very lonely and emotional rollercoaster. Be flexible and decisive, you’ll reprioritise regularly.Be aware of your emotions and energy levels and give yourself a break now and again!