Business • AI • Marketing • Finance
Pick Eric's Brain
A practical 30-minute conversation about business, AI, marketing, finance — or the idea you cannot stop thinking about.
Sometimes you do not need a formal business coach, a complicated report or another person trying to sell you a program.
You just need someone experienced to bounce an idea off.
Bring me a business problem, planned purchase, marketing idea, staffing issue, website, AI question or decision you have been going around in circles with.
I have worked closely with business owners across transport, construction, earthmoving, trades and many other industries. I have also built websites, hired overseas staff, run advertising campaigns and tested AI systems within my own businesses.
We can talk through your situation and see whether a different perspective helps you find the next step.
Finance enquiries are always free. You do not need to book this session before speaking with me about finance.
What can we talk about?
There is no rigid coaching program. Bring the issue that is taking up space in your head.
Business decisions
A new idea, business opportunity, major purchase, change in direction or problem you are struggling to solve.
AI and automation
Practical ways to use ChatGPT and other AI tools to save time, improve communication and reduce repetitive work. Where appropriate, I can show you examples and help you think through how AI may fit into your business.
Marketing and websites
Advertising ideas, social-media content, positioning, website feedback and ways to attract the right customers.
Finance and cash flow
Whether a purchase makes sense, how it may affect your business and possible ways of funding it.
People and systems
Hiring local or overseas staff, writing a better job advertisement, choosing the right person and deciding what work could be delegated or automated.
Clearer thinking
Slowing down, removing some of the emotion and looking at an important decision from a calmer and more practical position.
These sessions provide general discussion, practical ideas and personal business experience. They do not replace professional legal, accounting, taxation, financial-planning or mental-health advice.
I understand more than the finance side of a business
I have spent more than 16 years working closely with business owners as a finance broker, after spending around 15 years working in a successful family business in the UK.
My parents, grandparents and siblings have all been self-employed, so thinking like a business owner has always come naturally to me.
I have spent most of my working life around self-employed people and family-run businesses. I understand the freedom and satisfaction that can come with working for yourself, but I also understand the uncertainty, pressure and responsibility.
My finance clients have included people working in:
- transport
- construction
- earthmoving
- trades
- professional services
- sole-trader businesses
- family-run businesses
- many other industries
When you work closely with business owners for that long, you learn that a finance application is rarely just about obtaining money.
A new vehicle, machine, employee or service can affect:
- cash flow
- staffing
- marketing
- pricing
- workload
- business systems
- profitability
- the future direction of the business
I have seen the highs and lows that come with running a business, and I understand the pressure of making decisions when the responsibility ultimately falls back on you.
Hands-on experience outside finance
I also have practical experience building and improving businesses outside finance.
For example, I created my wife's cosmetic tattoo and beauty website without using an outside website designer or marketing agency.
I helped develop the:
- website
- branding and positioning
- online booking process
- automated emails
- service descriptions
- gift vouchers
- local marketing
- social-media advertising
- customer enquiry process
- overall client experience
Within three months of launching the head spa service, the business was receiving up to 60 bookings per month.
Paid marketing represented approximately 10% of revenue, and that percentage has gradually decreased as the business has become more established.
I have also run my own advertising campaigns, experimented with AI and automation, hired overseas staff and developed systems to make everyday business tasks easier.
Working this closely with my own businesses and with my finance clients has given me a broad understanding of how different businesses actually operate — not only what appears on their financial statements.
I will never pretend to know everything or claim that one person can be an expert in every industry.
What I can offer is practical experience, direct feedback and a willingness to look at the whole situation — not only the part that may earn me a commission.
The best answer is not always another loan. Sometimes it is a different purchase, a better system or a completely different way of looking at the problem.
Advice before commission
I try to treat every client the way I would want to be treated if our positions were reversed.
That means I may:
- point out the negatives
- question an emotional purchase
- suggest a less expensive option
- recommend waiting
- tell you when another broker, lender or service may be better suited to what you need
I believe how we treat people eventually comes back to us.
Helping someone make the right decision matters more to me than trying to turn every conversation into an immediate transaction.
How it works
Book a time
Choose an available 30-minute phone appointment and briefly explain what you would like to discuss.
Bring the real issue
You can bring one specific question or several connected ideas. Send through a website, advertisement or other useful information beforehand where relevant.
Talk it through
Eric will call the mobile number supplied in the booking form at the scheduled time. We can discuss AI, marketing, staffing, finance, websites, a planned purchase or simply work through an important decision.
Leave with a clearer direction
The aim is not to overwhelm you with information. It is to identify the strongest ideas and the next actions worth considering.
Your first 30-minute session is complimentary
One complimentary introductory session per person or business.
Your session includes:
- a 30-minute phone conversation with Eric
- business, AI, marketing, staffing and finance discussion
- practical ideas and direct feedback
- no obligation to apply for finance
- no ongoing program
- no sales commitment
Follow-up sessions are currently available for $95 for 30 minutes.
Appointments are available Tuesday to Thursday between 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm, subject to availability. Availability may be limited so Eric can continue looking after his finance clients.
Is this session right for you?
This may be useful if…
- You have an idea but cannot see the clearest next step.
- You are considering an expensive business purchase.
- You want to understand how AI could help your business.
- You are thinking about hiring or outsourcing work.
- Your advertising or website is not performing as expected.
- You want a second opinion from someone who is not selling a pre-packaged program.
- You need to slow down and separate emotion from an important decision.
- You are open to direct feedback and different ways of thinking.
This probably is not for you if…
- You want a complete marketing campaign built during one free meeting.
- You are looking for formal accounting, taxation, legal or mental-health advice.
- You want someone to agree with every idea without questioning it.
- You are looking for a motivational coaching program.
- You are not genuinely interested in acting on useful advice.
Do you mainly need finance?
You do not need to book a Pick Eric's Brain session before discussing finance with me.
Finance enquiries, initial discussions and quote requests remain free.
If you are looking to finance a vehicle, equipment, machinery or another business purchase, you can contact me directly through the normal finance enquiry process.
Frequently asked questions
Is this business coaching?
It is closer to a practical brainstorming and strategy session than a formal coaching program.
There is no rigid framework, motivational sales funnel or long-term commitment.
How will the session take place?
The complimentary introductory session is a 30-minute phone call.
Eric will call the mobile number supplied in the booking form at the scheduled time.
Will you try to sell me finance?
No.
There is no requirement to apply for finance.
When finance appears relevant, I can explain possible options and you can decide whether you want to explore them further.
Normal finance enquiries remain free.
Can you help me find an overseas staff member?
I can share what I have learned about advertising, selecting and working with overseas staff.
This may include thinking through the role, writing the advertisement, screening applicants and deciding which responsibilities could be delegated.
Can you help with stress or emotional decisions?
We can discuss ways to slow down, remain calmer and separate emotion from a business decision based on personal and business experience.
This is not counselling, therapy or mental-health treatment.
Can I book another session?
Yes.
Your first 30-minute session is complimentary.
Follow-up sessions are currently $95 for 30 minutes.
What happens when my question is mainly about finance?
You do not need to use your complimentary strategy session for a normal finance enquiry.
Finance discussions and quote requests are already free, and you may receive assistance sooner through the main Ethical Finance Broker enquiry process.
Bring me the question you keep thinking about
It might be a business idea, an AI tool, a marketing problem, a staffing issue, a planned purchase or something that simply does not feel right.
Let's spend 30 minutes looking at it from a different angle.
Book Your Complimentary 30 MinutesOne complimentary introductory session per person or business. Limited appointments are available Tuesday to Thursday.