At It Takes Two, we understand the unique challenges that come with owning your own business, and we’re here to help.
Meet Emma King
I’m Emma King, the co-founder of It Takes Two. We deliver training and coaching to the second-in-commands of entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses without the chaos and frustration that often accompanies growth. I’ve been running my own businesses since I was 25, and I have to say my success to date has been anything but linear. I have enough “been there and worn the t-shirt” stories to put most people off entrepreneurship for life!
My early entrepreneurial endeavours were filled with hope and excitement, fuelled by my natural superpowers as a visionary. I had enough energy to power a nuclear plant and an abundance of ideas racing through my mind. I loved my work, and life was good but the reality was that none of my ideas received the operational excellence they truly deserved. By the time we got an idea off the ground and started making real money, I was already onto the next one!
It wasn’t until 2017 that I realised my superpowers alone would never get me where I wanted to be. I needed a kick-ass second-in-command who could run with my ideas and more importantly, stick with each one until it received the energy and commitment it deserved. That’s when Julie Phillips became my COO, and everything changed.
No more micromanaging; instead, I had my finger on the pulse, fully aware of what was happening without needing to hover over my team. Everyone became highly accountable, allowing me to take a month off work to travel without worrying about the chaos I might return to.
Being an entrepreneur has its ups and downs. One of my biggest challenges was during the COVID pandemic, which hit the events industry hard and caused everything to crash down quickly. Our business effectively closed for 18 months, and “pivot” became the word on everyone’s lips (cue the sofa and stairs scene from Friends!).
Little did I know that this time of reevaluation would open doors I didn’t know existed. During the pandemic, I became a non-executive director of a telecoms company (something that wasn’t on my radar!) and later transitioned to becoming a business coach and Expert in Residence for a global coaching company.
In 2021, I stepped away from the day-to-day operations of my business to achieve my dream of living abroad. It didn’t happen overnight; over the years, Julie and I built a relationship based on trust, respect, and open communication. Together, we implemented processes and strategies that allowed me to relocate to Fuerteventura, where I now work just 4 hours a week!
As a Spanish resident, I live on Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands with my husband Paul and have a passion for travel, dancing, cooking and long walks – especially by the beach or up in the mountains.
Meet Julie Phillips
I’m Julie Phillips, and I’ve worked with Emma for over 15 years, serving as her second-in-command for the last six. I absolutely love all things operations, and my skill set is the perfect complement to Emma’s visionary traits. While she dreamt big, I thrived on execution, I’m the whisperer to visionary business owners, taking their ideas and turning them into efficient, streamlined processes that drive results.
Not only did I help Emma achieve her goal of stepping away from the business, but I also guided her journey toward her dream of living abroad. The hard work and processes we established together have shown us that gaining back your freedom from your business is not a pipe dream. Whether it’s spending more time with family, traveling, or building the business, we love coaching other business owners to realise that this life is achievable. Remember, it takes two!
Alongside my professional journey, I live with my husband and our two dogs, Rodney and Quinn. I’m also a proud step-mom to Liv and Harry, who may be grown up now but still need to make it back home for visits every now and then! I enjoy traveling, maintaining my health and fitness, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Together, Emma and I form an amazing duo who have honed the business owner and second-in-command relationship over the years. We understand the pitfalls, frustrations, and challenges that come with running a business as well as the incredible impact a well-aligned team can bring. Our hands-on coaching and proven strategies have empowered countless business owners and their operators to enjoy more time, increased revenue, and reduced stress while achieving sustainable, profitable growth.
With our expertise and commitment to values and integrity, we’re ready to help you unlock your business’s full potential. At It Takes Two, we’re dedicated to helping business owners and their second-in-commands collaborate effectively, ensuring your business thrives in today’s competitive landscape.