YOU
ARE A FOUNDER
YOU ARE DOING EVERYTHING
That big strategic project? Sidelined
That digital marketing campaign? Stalled
So how is scaling going? Stuck
YOUR BUSINESS IS RUNNING
But where is is running?
And why is it
SCREAMING?
YOU NEED
ANOTHER
YOU!
Fractional Co-Founder support for founders holding too much
Hello, I’m Natalie Thumwood.
Think of me as your fractional other you - a co-founder, but without the equity grab.
The one who brings clarity and direction while you deal with everything else, so that big strategic project finally gets moving.
I understand the pace of being a founder, I built a luxury manufacturing business from scratch — raised funding, led teams, wrangled supply chains, managed global partnerships, and kept the whole thing going through high pressure and constant decision-making.
Then I burnt out.
I didn’t crash overnight — it was the slow kind of burnout that creeps in over time while you are constantly overwhelmed.
And it taught me what most founders learn too late: trying to carry it all will cost you.
During that time, a fellow founder — my neighbour — stepped in to help on a major project. She just got it. No hand-holding. No over-explaining. She ran with strategy and moved the work forward like a second brain - or a temporary co-founder. That experience was the spark for FFS!
A co-founder and a world-class project director
I don’t just offer strategic advice, before all that, I spent 25 years leading huge global campaigns at creative agencies like Ogilvy, Publicis, Adam & Eve, and AKQA — for brands like Dove, Bentley Motors, and Max Factor. I know how to deliver under pressure. I know how to lead. I know how to push things through and get the big stuff done and delivered, like only seasoned project manager can!
I’ve built FFS to give other founders the level of support I wish I’d had.
I bring calm. I bring clarity. I bring energy when yours is running low.
If you’re carrying too much, don’t wait for the unravel,
Book a a free consultation and let’s see where I can help.
Let’s talk about the elephants.
The big, strategic projects that will increase sales or allow you to scale.
Too important to ignore.
Too hefty to squeeze in between back-to-back calls.
They’re the heavy lifters — the ones that move your business forward. And yet, they’re often left standing quietly in the wings.
Brand strategy.
Marketing campaigns.
Fundraising.
Supply chain sourcing and negotiations.
Not forgotten. Just… postponed.
Because you’re juggling customers, curveballs, chaos, and a calendar that never lets up.
That’s where I come in.
I bring strategic firepower, sharp instincts, and the kind of no-nonsense energy that gets things moving - fast!
I don’t just wrangle the elephants — I get them dancing, in formation, on time, and where they need to be.
So you can focus on the rest of the show.
Let’s get those elephants moving
Some examples of strategic projects I can take off your hands
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Funding Round Delivery
Strategy, scoping, planning, pitch deck creation, oversight of financial modelling, investor comms and management
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Operations and Growth Planning
Scaling plans, workflows, resourcing, capacity, streamlining, tech sourcing
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Supplier and Partner Sourcing
Sourced, briefed, timings agreed, prices negotiated, onboarded
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Marketing Campaigns
Strategy, resourcing from my extensive list of senior freelancers, creative development, SOW, budgets, timelines, production, delivery
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Brand Development
Strategy, project management, agency or freelance sourcing, team building, toolkits, playbooks, TOV
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Social Media Strategy
Content planning, creator and freelancer management, scheduling coordination, campaign rollout, performance tracking, platform optimisation, stakeholder alignment.
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Event Planning and Management
Event concepting, timeline planning, budget management, supplier sourcing, venue liaison, guest experience design, run-of-show creation, on-site coordination, team briefing, logistics oversight, post-event wrap-up.
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Content Production
Creative brief development, shoot planning, budget and timeline management, crew and talent sourcing, location scouting, call sheet creation, supplier coordination, on-set production management, logistics oversight, usage rights tracking, post-production liaison.
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Other 'Stuck' Strategic Projects
Maybe you don’t know where to start, maybe you don’t have the time — or maybe it just keeps getting bumped by more urgent stuff. If it’s important but stuck, give me a call and let’s see if I can help move it forward.
Sometimes just a chat makes your load feel lighter
How it works
Three simple steps
That’s all it takes to get you back on track
STEP 1
LET’S CHAT
We start with a 30-minute conversation, just you, me, and whatever’s keeping you awake at night.
I know how powerful it is to talk to another founder who truly gets it. It’s part therapy, part triage: you talk, I listen (and ask a few smart questions), and by the end we’ll be clear on what’s stuck, what’s possible, and whether I’m the right person to help you move things forward. Coffee optional. ☕
STEP 2
BOOK IT
Our first chat will have clarified how much time you’re likely to need and the pace we want to move at. You then book a set number of hours upfront each month, either manually or at a lower rate through a subscription.
I block that time out for you so it is protected and focused. No overbooking. No getting stuck. Just momentum and progress.
Scroll down to see options and prices.
STEP 3
KICK-OFF
Once you’ve booked your time, you’ll receive a confirmation email to arrange our kick-off. If you’re working on a defined project, you brief me and I create a clear Scope of Work covering timings, budget, and exactly what I’ll deliver, so there are no grey areas and we both know what’s happening and when.
This becomes our working agreement. From there, you can relax knowing the project is in safe hands and you no longer have to drive it yourself.
Book by the hour
or save money and subscribe to a package
General support and light strategic thinking.
Perfect for: Perfect for keeping on top of admin, invoicing, reports, diary updates, booking travel, and small, strategic projects without heavy deadlines.
8 hours per week / 32 per month
Price: £40/hr
£1,280 per month
Book your time upfront, either by subscription or as a one-off block of hours
Subscribe and save on your monthly hours
Your time is scheduled in advance and kept just for you
Simple. Clear. Keeps things moving
General support with a light strategic project oversight.
Perfect for: Perfect for coordination, admin plus one or two small projects such as organising a photo shoot or podcast, updating your website, managing social posts, sourcing suppliers, negotiating costs, podcast research and blog writing.
16 hours per week / 64 per month
Price: £38/hr
£2,432 per month
Deep project management and steady support.
Perfect for: General admin and coordination, plus a deep project that needs consistent managing over time i.e. brand strategy and development, a marketing campaign, new website build, managing funding rounds: creating pitch deck and financial models, digital app development.
21 hours per week
Price: £35/hr
£2,940 per month
If you prefer not to subscribe, you can still book a set number of hours upfront each month.
This option is priced at a higher hourly rate and works well for short-term or one-off support i.e. a large project.
Your time is still protected and scheduled in advance, and we agree the focus for the month before we begin.
Please ensure we have had a chat and I have confirmed I have these hours free for you.
Price: £45/hr - min 8 hours per week
Still got questions? Scroll down to FAQs
FFS! FAQS
I hope these FAQs clear up any outstanding information you need.
If you’re still wondering about anything, we’ll sort it when we chat, or you can contact me below and I’ll get back to you asap.
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Yes.
The free 30-minute consultation is where we figure out what’s stuck, whether I’m the right person to help, and what you actually need.
It’s relaxed, no pressure — but it’s essential. I only work with a few founders at a time, so I want to make sure we’re a good fit.
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You will get a confirmation email with a link to my calender, so that you can set up a kick off meeting.
After kick-off, I’ll be in touch within 48 hours with a clear plan and timeline, and we’ll take it from there.
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This will be tricky.
Once your project time is confirmed, it’s locked in. That helps me protect the space I’ve carved out for you and ensures every client gets the focused attention they need.
It’s how we keep momentum, avoid rescheduling chaos, and get the thing done - on time and on budget!
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Because it protects your time and mine.
Upfront payment secures your slot and commits us both to the work.
It stops things drifting, keeps the energy up, and helps me manage multiple projects in parallel without overlap or confusion.
It also sets a clear start — and a clear finish.
You are getting founder / C Suite level service and world-class project direction for a very good price - but payment upfront is how I can keep costs down and and keep all my clients’ projects driving forward.
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Yes.
You can add extra days when you book your package, or later if things evolve.
You’ll be charged at your package’s discounted day rate, and I’ll integrate the time into your timeline wherever it will deliver the most impact.
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I typically work Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm (UK time), across 2–3 projects at a time.
You can message me via Slack or email — I aim to reply the same day, or the following morning if it comes in late.
We will also have regular, weekly check-ins to keep you updated on my progress.
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I keep things structured but simple. Here’s what to expect when we work together:
Every project includes a Statement of Work (SOW) and a timing plan.These documents outline what we’re doing, when we’re doing it, and what success looks like — so we’re aligned from the start.
I work in four clear phases:
Discover → Define → Develop → Deliver
If the project involves third-party suppliers — such as designers, developers, or production partners — their costs are billed at the end of each phase, according to the agreed scope and estimate.
The SOW and timing plan will also include a clear payment schedule, so everything stays on track and expectations are set.
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Yes — always.
I’ve worked on high-level partnerships for top agencies and brands for over 25 years.
Confidentiality is baked into the way I work. If you’d like me to sign an NDA, just let me know.
More questions?
No worries - contact me and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Please do not use this form for sales and marketing, there will be no response.