How do I apply?

Applying is simple.  I takes less than 10 minutes.
Here’s how to get started:
1️⃣ Complete your Start Smart Entry Application.
This short diagnostic helps us understand your business stage, readiness, and growth goals.
2️⃣ Receive your personalised Readiness Report.
You’ll instantly see how aligned you are with the Start Smart Program and where your biggest opportunities lie.
3️⃣ Join the private Skool community and comment “I’m ready to scale in 2026” on the official Scholarship post.
(Don’t forget to share the post on your social media and tag @TheOptimisationTeam.)
4️⃣ Submit your full application form with clear, honest answers.

What happens after I submit?

Once your application is in, our team personally reviews every submission to assess fit, readiness, and commitment.
If you’re shortlisted, you may be invited to a quick 10–15 minute discovery chat before final selection.

You’ll also receive updates via email and inside the Skool community so you never miss a step that are are not designed to waste time, but each one designed to deliver value.

How and when will winners be announced?

The Start Smart Scholarship Winner will be announced inside the Skool community and by email on [INSERT ANNOUNCEMENT DATE].

Remember, this is not a random draw.
Winners are selected based on alignment, mindset, and potential for transformation.

If the selected winner was referred by someone, both will receive a full scholarship.
If not, a second scholarship will be awarded to another deserving applicant.

Start Smart Scholarship Timeline

Program Duration: 2 December 2025 – 16 March 2026
Format: Weekly Live Coaching (Tuesdays) + Daily Q&A (Mon–Fri, rotating time zones)
Annual Break: 20 December 2025 – 4 January 2026

December 2025 — Getting Started

• Tue 2 Dec – Introduction & Onboarding

• Wed 3 Dec – Q&A Sessions Begin (Scholarship Cohort)

• Tue 9 Dec – Legal & Compliance Foundations

• Tue 16 Dec – Processes & Systems

• Fri 19 Dec – Final Q&A Session for 2025

• 20 Dec – 4 Jan – Holiday Break (Portal Access Open)

   

January 2026 — Building Momentum

• Mon 5 Jan – Q&A Sessions Resume (2026)

• Tue 6 Jan – Ideal Client Clarity

• Tue 13 Jan – Impact Map

• Tue 20 Jan – Pricing & Profit

• Tue 27 Jan – Offers

   

February 2026 — Growth Engine & Market Positioning

• Tue 3 Feb – Brand Positioning & Messaging

• Tue 10 Feb – Marketing Systems & Content Strategy

• Tue 17 Feb – Sales Strategy & Conversion Framework

• Tue 24 Feb – Technology & Tools for Scale

March 2026 — Profit, Performance & Strategy

• Tue 3 Mar – Financial Fitness & Metrics

• Tue 10 Mar – Strategy & Integration

• Mon 16 Mar – Final Q&A Session & Program Close

These questions are all very valid in a marketplace that is losing trust as AI accelerates and it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between the human vs. the avatar.

Is this a real scholarship or just a sales hook?

This is a genuine scholarship opportunity. Two full scholarships will be awarded:

• One to the selected winner who applies directly, and

• One to the person who referred the winner (if applicable).

If the winning applicant was not referred by anyone, a second scholarship will still be awarded to another deserving entrant.

Click here  to read the official Scholarship Terms and Conditions.

Who’s behind this and do they actually have the experience to help me scale?

The Start Smart Program is an established program offered by The Optimisation Team, a registered company based in the United Kingdom. We work with clients across the UK, US, Canada, Africa, and New Zealand.

Led by Gill Bowmaker (LinkedIn Profile ), The Optimisation Team brings extensive experience in business growth, optimisation, and new business launches — spanning both enterprise environments and entrepreneurial ventures.

The Start Smart Program is built around the Profit Pulse Framework, a proven system that has helped hundreds of businesses over the past 15 years across diverse industries including hospitality, car rental, logistics, retail, beauty, technology, coaching, restaurants, customer experience, and events.

It’s a results-driven, practical program designed to give entrepreneurs the clarity, structure, and confidence they need to scale — backed by a framework that works time and time again.

Will I be pitched something expensive if I don’t win?

No — at no point in this process will you be offered or pitched anything at full price.

This scholarship isn’t a sales funnel — it’s an opportunity.

What often happens is that we receive outstanding applications from entrepreneurs who are an excellent fit for the program.  In those very specific cases, we sometimes offer a partial scholarship so they can still access the Start Smart Program at a reduced rate (If offered these will be $1,997 incl. VAT).

You’ll indicate in your application if you’re open to that option,  it’s entirely your choice.
If you’re not, that’s absolutely fine.

Either way, your application remains confidential and respected.

Time is one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face. While we do everything possible to make implementation fast and practical, it’s important to understand that real change takes both time and commitment — from you and from us.

At The Optimisation Team, we guarantee to show up, guide you, and meet you halfway. Your part is to decide whether 12 weeks of focused commitment is worth it to build the kind of business that truly delivers the results you want.

That’s why we’ve built TIME SMART into the program — a powerful component that helps you clearly see where you’re spending time versus where you’re investing it, so you can make every hour count toward growth.

“How much time will this actually take each week?”

If you can dedicate around one hour a day plus the weekly one-hour live teaching session, you’ll comfortably stay on track with the program.

Some participants prefer to schedule one focused hour daily, allowing them to join the live Q&A sessions that build real momentum and accountability. Others choose to set aside a full day each week - sometimes over the weekend where distractions are minimised - to immerse themselves in a module and complete it in one sitting.

Both approaches work. The key is consistency, progress comes from showing up and engaging with the process in a way that fits your rhythm.  We build assets layer by layer, as well as your Strategy from Day 1 so implementation is never an issue.

“Can I realistically fit this into my current workload?”

Only you can truly answer that. What we’ve found, though, is that many entrepreneurs spend their time instead of investing it - a massive differentiator - which is exactly why we’ve included TIME SMART into the Start Smart Scholarship offer.

The TIME SMART program helps you identify where your hours are going, what’s moving the needle, and what’s simply keeping you busy,  so you can create the space to work on your business, not just in it.

 “What if I win but can’t commit 100%?”

That’s an honest and important question. To be fair, if you already know you can’t commit fully, you might prefer not to accept the scholarship, as it does come with specific terms and conditions designed to ensure participants make the most of the opportunity.  If you are unable to commit 100%, then we would request you say this upfront so that we are both aligned.

That said, you’re still welcome to apply and enrol independently if you’d prefer to complete the program at your own pace, the choice is entirely yours.

“Do I qualify?”

If you’re 35 or older, currently running a business that’s been operating for at least six months, and generating some revenue (ideally at least $20k), then yes, you qualify to apply.
The key requirement is commitment. We’re looking for entrepreneurs who are ready to scale to their first or next $200k, not those seeking a free ride

“Is this only for women, certain industries, or specific revenue levels?”

No,  the Start Smart Scholarship is open to all entrepreneurs who meet the eligibility criteria, regardless of gender, industry, or country.
Our past participants have come from hospitality, logistics, technology, retail, beauty, coaching, events, and more. What matters most is that you’re serious about growth and willing to apply what you learn.

“What if I’m not already at $200k?”

That’s perfectly fine.  The program is designed to help you get scale from where you are now.
You don’t need to be at $200k yet; you just need to have a functioning business and the determination to scale it sustainably.

What exactly will I learn or walk away with?

By the end of the 12-week Start Smart Program, you’ll have:

• A complete, go to market strategy designed around your framework to meet your business goals.

• A proven framework - the Profit Pulse Framework - that you can use repeatedly to make smart, confident decisions.

• Clear visibility into what’s working, what’s wasting resources, and how to fix it.

• A business that’s positioned to scale to your first or next $200k, supported by systems that create stability, profitability, and freedom.

You won’t just understand your business better,  you’ll have the structure, focus, and confidence to grow it with intention.

Can this program really move the needle for my business?

Yes.  When you show up and apply the work, it absolutely can.
This isn’t theory or hype. The Profit Pulse Framework has been refined over 15 years and implemented across industries, including hospitality, logistics, beauty, tech, retail, and coaching,  helping businesses break through revenue ceilings and stabilise growth.

The real ROI comes from the shift you’ll experience:
✅ Clear strategy → Confident action
✅ Accountability → Consistent execution
✅ Structure and Systems → Sustainable growth

You’ll graduate with a go to market strategy that can be measured, tracked, and adapted as your business grows, creating sustainable momentum.

What’s different about this vs. every other growth program?

Most programs teach isolated tactics - marketing, sales, or mindset - without addressing the ecosystem that makes growth sustainable.  For the most part they share information and ignore the core requirement which is implementation / action.

Start Smart is different because it’s built as a complete growth system, supported by a specialist coaching team - not a collection of information.

Here’s what sets it apart:

• It’s built around the Profit Pulse Framework, proven across hundreds of businesses.

• It combines strategy, mindset, and implementation in one cohesive journey.

• You get live support, accountability, and real-time feedback from a human team that has worked in and scaled real businesses,  not just taught theory.

• You’ll also access TIME SMART, RESET SMART, and SMART STRATEGY tools to help you stay focused and in control.

• You get the tools and tactics (along with Custom GPT's where they apply) to enable you to build key assets in every module (your ecosystem) at speed.

By the end, you’ll not only know what to do next,  you’ll know why, when and how to do it effectively.

What is the actual $ value of this scholarship?

The Start Smart Program is a US$ 3,597 investment.  It is the same one that’s currently sold in our live masterclass series (US$ 27,235 in value), where entrepreneurs invest at full price to join.

As a scholarship winner, you’ll receive the entire Masterclass Start Smart Program completely free.

In some cases, we also offer partial scholarships to exceptional applicants, giving them full access to the same program for US$ 1,997 

This means your potential investment is anywhere from $0 to $1,997 USD, for a program proven to help entrepreneurs transform their operations, strategy, and profit trajectory, the same system hundreds of founders have already used to scale confidently toward (and beyond) their next $200k.

If I don’t win, will I be pressured to buy?

No, absolutely not. This is a genuine scholarship opportunity. One applicant and a referee will receive full access (100% free), and in some cases, other strong applicants may be offered a partial scholarship at a reduced rate of US$ 1,997.

There’s no pressure and no hard sell. If you’re offered a partial scholarship, it’s entirely your choice to accept or decline, no follow-up chase or guilt trip.  The partial scholarship is only offered if we have very strong applications and will only be valid for 5 days from the day the winner is announced.

Are there hidden fees or upsells?

No hidden fees.
The full program value of US$3,597 (or US$1,997 for partial scholarship recipients) covers everything.  All 12 weeks of learning, coaching, live sessions, and resources, plus lifetime access to the online Program Platform.

The only costs you may personally carry are things that your business should be covering  like your internet access, workspace setup, or travel if you choose to work from elsewhere.

You’ll never be asked to pay for extra “unlockable” content or surprise upgrades for Start Smart. What you see is what you get.

Is there a catch?

No catch — just commitment.
If you win, your only obligation is to participate fully, show up, engage in the program, and complete the agreed deliverables (as laid out in the terms and conditions).

That’s it.
You get a US$ 3,597 program, completely free, in exchange for your time, honesty, and commitment to growth.

The Optimisation Team shows up 100% for you - we simply ask that you do the same.

Am I actually ready for this level of growth?

Every entrepreneur reaches this point — where excitement meets uncertainty.
Start Smart was designed to meet you exactly where you are now, not where you think you “should” be.

We understand that the patterns and paradigms you’ve built over time can become habits that hold you back. That’s why the program includes RESET SMART, a guided exercise that helps you identify those patterns, reframe them, and replace them with habits that support your next level of growth.

You don’t need to have it all figured out,  you just need to be ready to show up honestly and do the work.

What if I’m not tech-savvy enough?

You don’t need to be.
The program is delivered through simple, step-by-step systems and guided support, with a dedicated team and community to help you at every stage. 

We make the technology into a layer (as we do the accounting, the marketing, the sales......), so you can stay focused on building a stronger business.

What if I fail again?

Welcome to entrepreneurship.  You’re not alone - every successful entrepreneur has felt (and continuously feels) that fear.
But here’s the truth: failure only repeats itself when we don’t change the system behind it.

Start Smart gives you a framework that helps you understand your full business ecosystem, how every part connects, what’s working, and what isn’t.
From there, you’ll learn how to decide what to keep, what to improve, and what to outsource, based on data-driven, business-led discussions, not emotion or guesswork.

You’ll build clarity, confidence, and momentum with every module and by the end, you’ll know exactly how to lead your business forward.