Rachel Blackburn MBE and founder of Us2U Consulting use this powerful principle when guiding businesses to adopt the right mindset for growth looking to grow and export.
She also adds a stark reminder: “If we don’t take opportunities, other businesses will.”
Rachel Blackburn is a champion of East Anglia’s thriving food ecosystem — from primary production and processing to artisan makers, innovators, and high-growth brands. The region’s reputation for quality and provenance gives local businesses a strong foundation, but the pressures on early-stage founders remain significant.
She sees a common pattern: founders are passionate, committed, and deeply invested in their product — but often overwhelmed by the day-to-day demands of running a business.
With 2026 already well underway, many founders are realising they need clearer direction, stronger planning, and a more structured approach to growth.
Her commitment to run a free business planning session specifically for food entrepreneurs on 8 April 2026 is therefore strategic and timely.
Empowering East Anglia’s food entrepreneurs: opportunity to benefit from Rachel’s experience
“Speaking as a business owner myself, we can become obsessed with working in the business rather than on the business,” she says. “This session creates the space to step back, take a helicopter view, and think strategically.”
US2U Consulting Marks 20 Years with 20 events
As US2U Consulting celebrates two decades of supporting organisations across the UK and internationally, founder Rachel Blackburn is marking the milestone with a commitment that reflects the heart of her business: giving back, strengthening communities, and helping others grow. This year, the consultancy is undertaking 20 for 20 years — practical, meaningful contributions that support people, businesses, and the wider region in line with their sustainability strategy.
One of the first initiatives is a dedicated business planning workshop for food entrepreneurs and early-stage founders across East Anglia. It’s a sector Rachel is deeply passionate about, and one that plays a defining role in the region’s identity. “Norfolk and East Anglia are well known for food — everything from production to incredible products,” she explains. “To be able to work with entrepreneurs in this territory and help them develop their businesses is a really exciting thing from our point of view.”
Wednesday 8 April 2026, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Broadland Food Innovation Centre
The workshop is open to food entrepreneurs at any stage — from concept-stage founders to established businesses exploring new markets. You are welcome to bring your product to the session.
A business built on strengthening others
Rachel founded Us2 Consulting in 2006 with a clear mission: to help organisations become stronger, more resilient, and more strategically focused. Over the past 20 years, she has worked with clients across almost every sector — from manufacturing and professional services to food, tech, and education — and has supported businesses at every stage of growth. In 2025 Rachel was awarded an MBE in the King's New Year Honours List for services to the Business Community and Exports.
Her work spans leadership development, restructuring, recruitment, communication, and long-term strategic planning. Whether she’s helping a founder articulate their vision, supporting a leadership team through change, or guiding a business toward a successful exit, her approach is grounded in clarity, confidence, and practical action. The consultancy’s strapline — guaranteed to make a positive difference — is more than a slogan. It reflects the measurable impact Rachel, and her team has delivered for hundreds of organisations, both in the UK and internationally.
International expertise: helping businesses go global
One of Rachel’s specialist areas is international expansion. As an Export Champion, she has supported businesses exploring opportunities in markets across the Middle East, the US, and beyond. Her approach is grounded in realism and rigour. Before entering a new market, she helps clients understand:
- whether their product is tried, tested, and resilient in the home market
- the size and nature of the opportunity overseas
- regulatory requirements, cultural considerations, and potential barriers
- whether a distributor, partner, or direct-to-market approach is best
- how to validate assumptions through real conversations and “boots on the ground” research
- She emphasises that success overseas is rarely straightforward — but it is often transformative.
“It’s never easy,” she says. “But hearing someone talk about your brand internationally, or seeing your product on a shelf overseas, is incredibly rewarding.”
What the 8 April session will cover
The workshop is designed to be practical, energising, and immediately applicable. In just two hours, participants will gain a structured toolkit they can use to strengthen their business planning and decision-making.
1. Vision, values, and purpose
A clear vision guides every decision. Values shape how a business behaves, what it prioritises, and what it refuses to compromise on. Rachel encourages founders to articulate both — including what they don’t do.
2. Defining a strong USP
In a competitive market, clarity is everything. Participants will learn how to articulate what makes their product unique and why customers should choose it.
3. Goal setting and prioritisation
From immediate actions to long-term ambitions, founders should leave with a structured set of goals and a clearer sense of direction.
4. Understanding barriers and opportunities
This includes funding routes, regulatory considerations, market trends, and the external factors that influence business success.
5. Competitor awareness
While founders are busy building their own business, competitors are evolving too. Rachel will guide participants through how to analyse the competition and differentiate effectively.
6. SWOT analysis
A classic tool — but still one of the most powerful. Participants will assess their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in a structured, honest way.
7. Marketing fundamentals
From positioning to messaging, Rachel will outline the building blocks of a robust marketing plan.
8. Crafting an elevator pitch
A concise, compelling introduction can open doors. Rachel shares her own experience of securing a key account simply by being ready to articulate her value — in a swimming pool, no less.
An event for collaboration and community
While Rachel will facilitate the session, much of the value will come from the people in the room. Food founders often face similar challenges, and the workshop is designed to encourage open discussion, shared learning, and peer support. “People may be competitors sometimes,” Rachel says, “but we can all help each other and learn from each other. That collaboration is key.”
The session will be relaxed, interactive, and shaped by the questions participants bring with them. It’s an opportunity not just to learn, but to connect.
Book your place - HERE
Wednesday 8 April 2026
10:00am – 12:00pm
Broadland Food Innovation Centre
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Photo credit - US2U Consulting
