Our Story

On Demand Leadership Advice

As a business leader, our team expected that we had all the answers.  We surrounded ourselves with exceptional talent, who are engaging, motivated and delivery many client solutions simultaneously. But sometimes we had a gap in knowledge or skills to support a critical next step.  We didn't want to slow progress or disrupt the team, but we needed great advice and support quickly.

Rustic Terrace helps to fill this gap by providing interim management and chief operating officer services or advice on a regular or temporary basis.  We fit in as part of the team, sharing relevant experiences and knowledge that we gained through running and growing our own business.  We provide practical solutions that are right for your business.

Understanding The Power of Data

We were running a B2B SaaS business, focused towards some of the worlds most demanding fund management and venture capital sponsored firms.  We were swamped in data about our clients market segment products, services, organisational models and talent as well as data relating to our own business activities. It took a while, but we eventually discovered that we needed different data than we currently had and needed to discard a lot of the data that we already collected.  We consolidate and grew and most importantly, so did our clients.

Rustic Terrance knows how to create a sustainable and repeatable process, transferable to any industry to collect and maintain data.  It is used to improve operating efficiency, create a robust client experience and to understand what the market and your peers are doing. 

Fundraising Is A Full-Time Job

Everyone was telling us that fundraising is a full time job, but was it?  Yes it was!  It is also more complex than we could have imagined.  We were asking ourselves who is the right partner, where do we find them, is it funding or smart capital that we want, how and when do we communicate with them, is it pre or post revenue, what do they want to hear and are we providing the right story about us?  There were many other questions and variables as well, especially about identifying interested parties and then managing the engagement process.  

Rustic Terrace can help you think through the right partners, identify potentially interested parties and create a framework that is right for you to initiate contact, engage and then manage the fundraising process.

About Mark Bright

Mark is a senior operating executive within the financial services industry where he has been a co-founder of data intensive, tech focused companies offering fast tracked capital raising, competitive and talent intelligence. Those businesses gained the attention of the world's leading multi-asset, hedge fund, private equity, venture capital fund managers and tier 1 investment banks. Prior to founding those businesses, Mark was at Citigroup for 17 years and was the Global Head of Emerging Markets for Prime Finance and Futures, a role that he established and was able to generate significant new revenue streams for Citi.

Throughout his career, Mark gained a variety of skills that are geared towards helping firms accelerate growth and profitability.  Focus areas include fundraising, business strategy, P&L / financial management, process improvement, operational excellence and business leadership, including coaching and mentoring staff.