Toni McLelland MSc @1stLifeGroup

✨ Are you ready for your next level? One thing I have learned from working with business owners, leaders, and social entrepreneurs is that growth rarely happens in isolation. Sometimes what we need is not another course, another book, or another strategy. Sometimes we need a trusted person who will listen, challenge our thinking, help us gain clarity, and support us to move forward with confidence. That's the role of a Critical Friend. Through my 1-1 Bespoke Programmes, I work alongside individuals who are ready to develop their business, strengthen their decision-making, overcome challenges, and create meaningful impact. Every journey is different, which is why every programme is tailored to the individual. ✨ Personalised support ✨ Strategic guidance ✨ Accountability and encouragement ✨ A safe space to think, reflect, and grow 📅 Flexible sessions via Zoom 🔗 Find out more or book a conversation: calendly.com/tonimclelland-… #BespokeProgrammes #BusinessCoaching #ExecutiveCoaching #CriticalFriend #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipCoaching #BusinessStrategy #BusinessSupport #SocialEntrepreneur #PurposeDrivenBusiness #PeopleFirstBusiness #HealthyBusinessHealthyYou #TonisFairyDust ✨

“When we stop learning, we stop growing.” The best leaders, business owners and social entrepreneurs aren't the ones who know everything. They're the ones who stay curious, keep learning and remain open to being challenged. Growth starts where comfort ends. ✨ #TonisFairyDust 🔗 calendly.com/tonimclelland-… #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #BusinessMentoring #SocialEntrepreneurs

🎙️ I recently joined Xraised to discuss how the Critical Friend approach is helping organisations navigate uncertainty. 💡 From balancing Purpose, People, Planet & Profit to supporting people through change, resilient leadership is about putting people first while planning for the future. ✨ Just a sprinkling of #TonisFairyDust 🧚‍♀️ #Leadership #CriticalFriend #BusinessTransformation #Resilience #Xraised #ToniMcLelland #PeopleFirst

💭 The people who think they know everything are often the ones with the most to learn. The older I get, the more I realise there is always something new to discover. A new perspective. A different way of thinking. A lesson hidden within a challenge. The people who inspire me most are those who never stop learning. 🌱 Stay curious. 👂 Keep listening. 💡 Keep growing. These are some of the conversations we explore in the Mentoring Hub: Power Hour. A supportive space to share experiences, learn from others, and continue growing together. 📅 Mondays | 5–6pm BST/GMT via Zoom 🔗 calendly.com/tonimclelland-… #TonisFairyDust #Learning #Leadership #GrowthMindset #BusinessGrowth #Mentoring

✨ Is this for you? Perhaps you're stepping into leadership for the first time. Perhaps you're looking for clarity, confidence, and support rather than more noise. The truth is, you don't have to do it alone. The Mentoring Hub: Power Hour creates space for reflection, learning, growth, and meaningful conversations. 📅 Mondays | 5–6pm BST/GMT 🔗 Find out more or book a conversation: calendly.com/tonimclelland-… #MentoringHub #PowerHour #BusinessGrowth #BusinessSupport #PeopleFirstBusiness #LeadershipDevelopment #MentoringMatters #BusinessCommunity #CriticalFriend #TonisFairyDust✨

Many business owners and social entrepreneurs don't need more information—they need the right support, guidance, and space to grow. ✨ Build confidence ✨ Overcome challenges ✨ Learn alongside others ✨ Grow your business with practical mentoring 📅 Mentoring Hub: Power Hour Mondays | 5–6pm BST | Zoom 🔗 1stlifegroup.com/services/start… #MentoringHub #PowerHour #BusinessGrowth #BusinessSupport #PeopleFirstBusiness #LeadershipDevelopment #MentoringMatters #BusinessCommunity #CriticalFriend #TonisFairyDust✨

💚 How often do we tell people to REACH OUT? When we lead with care and compassion, we take responsibility to REACH IN too. ✨ Not everyone has the capacity to ask for help. Check in on the person who's quieter than usual. ✨ Did you REACH IN to someone today? #MentalHealth #Wellbeing #MentalHealthAwareness #Compassion #CompassionateLeadership #ReachIn #ReachOut #MentalHealthMatters #PeopleFirst #CareAndCompassion #SupportOthers #Leadership #WellbeingAtWork #TonisFairyDust ✨

Greater London Enterprise Awards smenews.digital/awards/greater…

Delighted to share that 1st Life Group has been shortlisted for the Greater London Enterprise Awards 2026, hosted by @SME__News! 🎉 If we’ve made an impact, leave a comment to help showcase our value! 💬 Learn more 👉 smenews.digital/sme-news-award… #Awards #BusinessExcellence

See this Instagram video by @therealtonimclelland instagram.com/reel/DW9SwbaCY…

I'm delighted to be speaking at this event and I'd love to see you there! Learn more and register here: invt.io/1txbb1ztyaa

Still celebrating women on this #mothersday It was 4 years ago now that I was knee deep with others co organising a TEDx event. 8 women speakers with 8 empowering stories to tell. A great lineup with stories to warm the heart, educate and add real value. You can watch the videos here lnkd.in/eGUpmwTt if a topic peaks your interest. What is your story? #internationalwomensday #womenshistorymonth

The Magic BLEND That’s the name of my bespoke model for sustainable individual and organizational change—and it perfectly describes the inspiring work of Ellie Edmonds and her social work team at Cardiff Council. I recently had the pleasure of delivering a talk and workshop with them, sharing the My Magic BLEND model. We explored how personalized approaches to change can create meaningful impact, both individually and organizationally. The team’s reflections and questions highlighted their dedication to growth—personally, professionally, and in their crucial work with families. Thank you, Eleanor, for leading a team that’s truly making a difference. Whether home-based or hybrid, bringing teams together drives growth and learning. Kudos to Mene Taiwo M.Sc, Monique Saleh, and everyone else involved. Ready to create lasting change in your organization or team? Discover how the BLEND model can help you drive impactful, sustainable progress. ********************************************* Come and network ( complimentary online) on 6th January - Register here:- linkedin.com/events/7269299… Specialising in business for social causes I distribute #TonisFairyDust #thoughtleadership on #OrganisationalDevelopment #Compassionateleadership #DEIB #Change #Business. I also mentor Start Up #socialentrepreneurs & Leaders in this area

From Refugee to Entrepreneur: A Journey of Resilience and Growth In this inspiring episode of Critical Reflections, host Toni McLelland sits down with Karim Samani to explore his incredible journey from refugee to successful entrepreneur. With a strong background in business and accounting, Karim shares: ✨ The power of personal branding and resilience in building a business. ✨ Practical ergonomics tips to boost health and productivity at work. ✨ The critical role employers play in fostering employee well-being. ✨ Why patience and networking are keys to long-term success. This conversation is a must-watch for anyone seeking personal and professional growth. 🙌 👉 Tune in now to hear Karim’s powerful story and valuable insights! Watch here youtube.com/watch?v=VXs2OY… ************************************************************* Specialising in business for third sector & social causes we distribute #TonisFairyDust #thoughtleadership on #OrganisationalDevelopment #Compassionateleadership #DEIB #Change #Business and also mentor Start Up #socialentrepreneurs & Leaders in this area

"Nothing is impossible. If it hasn't happened yet, then why not be the first?" – Toni McLelland This powerful reminder pushes us to break boundaries, challenge norms, and embrace the courage to lead. ✨ Every great achievement once started as an “impossible” idea. ✨ Every pioneer faced a moment of doubt but chose to move forward anyway. So why not you? Why not now? Let’s make the impossible, possible. 💪 ************************************************************* Specialising in business for third sector & social causes we distribute #TonisFairyDust #thoughtleadership on #OrganisationalDevelopment #Compassionateleadership #DEIB #Change #Business and also mentor Start Up #socialentrepreneurs & Leaders in this area

"Try to be INTERESTED in others rather than sounding INTERESTING." ✨ — Toni McLelland This simple yet powerful reminder teaches us that genuine connections are built by listening and showing curiosity about others, not by striving to impress. 💬❤️ ✅ Ask questions. ✅ Show empathy. ✅ Celebrate others’ stories. When you focus on being interested, you naturally become someone others want to be around. 🌟 What’s one way you practice this in your daily interactions? ********************************************** Join Connect and Network on Monday 6th January 2025 12pm -1pm GMT linkedin.com/events/connect… Specialising in business for third sector & social causes we distribute #TonisFairyDust #thoughtleadership on #OrganisationalDevelopment #Compassionateleadership #DEIB #Change #Business and also mentor Start Up #socialentrepreneurs & Leaders in this area

See this Instagram video by @therealtonimclelland instagram.com/reel/DDhD7IPpY…

Networking success is all about building meaningful connections, not just collecting contacts. Avoid common mistakes like talking too much about yourself, skipping follow-ups, or being transactional. Instead, focus on genuine relationships and offering value. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your network thrive! ✨ What's your go-to networking tip? Share below! ************************************************** Toni distributes #TonisFairyDust and daily wisdom #ThoughtLeadership on #OrganisationalDevelopment implementation #CompassionateLeadership #DEIB for Sustainable Change. Toni also mentors #SocialEntrepreneurs in business.#1stLifeGroup

“Why seek external validation when internal validation is first required?” – Toni McLelland Believe in yourself! This was just one of the messages I shared with entrepreneurs at the recent Start-Up Business Event at Cardiff University, organized by the brilliant Prith Biant and Paula Burns. I reminded students: “Have no regrets, only learning experiences.” Research, try, review, and most importantly, keep learning. Surround yourself with good expert advice, as well-meaning friends and family can often offer conflicting (and overwhelming!) information. It was a privilege to hear from students who are on exciting entrepreneurial journeys. Their stories remind us of the power of collaboration and learning from one another. One of my favorite parts of my work is bringing lessons from corporate experiences back to startups and social entrepreneurs. It’s about closing the loop, sharing knowledge, and sprinkling a little of my #TonisFairyDust. ✨ What’s the one question you’d ask as a start-up social entrepreneur? Or, if you’ve started your journey, what’s one piece of advice you wish you’d received early on? Let’s share and inspire each other! Drop your thoughts below 👇 ********************************************** Specialising in business for third sector & social causes we distribute #TonisFairyDust #thoughtleadership on #OrganisationalDevelopment #Compassionateleadership #DEIB #Change #Business and also mentor Start Up #socialentrepreneurs & Leaders in this area

Safeguarding children and young people is a responsibility we all share. This video dives deep into the critical need for safeguarding policies, better multi-agency collaboration, and systemic change to protect vulnerable individuals. Learn about key recommendations from the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel and how trauma-informed, culturally sensitive approaches can make a difference. Discover how online safety and practitioner well-being are part of the solution. Watch the full episode on YouTube and join the conversation on creating a safer future for our children! Watch it here 👉 youtube.com/watch?v=pnTpOX… ********************************************** Specialising in business for third sector & social causes we distribute #TonisFairyDust #thoughtleadership on #OrganisationalDevelopment #Compassionateleadership #DEIB #Change #Business and also mentor Start Up #socialentrepreneurs & Leaders in this area