Meet Phoenix …
Meet Phoenix, who joined The Athena Network in December 2023 and launched her business, Raise to Rise, just one month later in January 2024. Her story is a masterclass in turning personal adversity into purposeful action that creates real change in the world.
I joined Athena in December 2023 and by January 2024 I had launched my business, Raise to Rise, a true showcase of the power of The Athena Network.
After leaving a demanding corporate role at the end of 2022 due to burnout, I knew I needed to seek out something more purposeful, something that aligned with my values and passion for supporting others. I had been the only female senior manager in a male-dominated environment. While the experience taught me resilience and sharpened my leadership skills, it also came at a heavy cost. I was working in spaces where my voice wasn’t fully heard, where wellbeing was overlooked, and where success was defined by overtime and burnout.
Stepping away gave me the chance to reconnect with the work that had inspired me since I was sixteen: Volunteering in the Charity Sector. Spending time with dedicated people driving impactful causes reignited my spark and my sense of purpose and reminded me of the power of standing alongside organisations creating real change. Through this, I found my way back into the sector I loved and quickly saw the immense need for accessible, high-quality fundraising support, especially for smaller charities that are too often overlooked.
That realisation became the spark for Raise to Rise: a purpose-led business dedicated to ensuring grassroots charities and CICs across the UK can access the funding they need to survive and thrive. From the very beginning, Athena was at the heart of my journey, connecting me with my accountant, introducing my first clients, and surrounding me with a group of inspiring women whose advice and encouragement gave me the confidence to launch.
In our first year, we secured just over £100,000 in funding, showing the difference dedicated fundraising support can make to small charities’ sustainability and growth. I was also honoured to be named ‘One to Watch 2024’ at The Woman Who Solopreneur Awards. Since then, Raise to Rise has grown in both reach and impact, working with over 20 charities and surpassing £160,000 in funding secured to date — a figure that continues to rise as our journey gathers momentum.
Now in my second year of Athena membership and my second year in business, I am incredibly honoured to be named one of the #iAlso100 for 2025 by f:Entrepreneur, and a double finalist in the incredibly prestigious women’s business awards: The Woman Who Solopreneur Awards and The Best Businesswomen’s Awards 2025 (Solopreneur Category).
The journey has not been without its challenges: I’ve navigated Solopreneur burnout, client loss and charity closure, and the emotional weight of working with charities in a struggling sector. But through Athena, I’ve found a network of incredible, supportive and inspiring women who have been with me every step of the way. They’ve been my sounding board, my advisors, my biggest cheerleaders, my community and my friends.
Raise to Rise continues to grow sustainably, now with the support of a Marketing & Fundraising Assistant whom I mentor. Together, we’ve launched new resources, delivered free webinars, and expanded our reach, always staying true to our mission of helping small charities survive and thrive.
Athena has been central to my story. It’s not just about networking, it’s about connection, encouragement, and empowerment. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the women in my group and our fearless Regional Director, Holly and I’m proud to represent what’s possible when you combine purpose with the right community.
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