I love my work as a business coach and mentor.

It is a wonderful experience to take a concept and help somebody convert that into a commercial operation. It is thrilling to help owners restructure a struggling outfit into a thriving business. I become invigorated, energized, when I see clients swallow up problems that weeks beforehand would have had them tearing out clumps of their hair.

Actually, I am lucky twice over. Much of my clientele is based in and around Jerusalem. This is a very special city, and not just because it is the centre for three global religions. Today, Jerusalem is a high-tech hub, especially in bio and medical fields. It even boasts a weekly ‘hacknight for women“.

Business mentoring is a mutually rewarding profession. Just this morning, I was talking to somebody in a networking session, as they described their wish to find a partner to help in setting up a new concept. I immediately pointed out that what they were describing were the functions of a coach or mentor (no, not me), and showed them how they could secure a subsidy for such a position. All are challenged to ensure the success of the adventure.

So, it is my pleasure to break a rule and mention a very specific client of mine, David Katz. He contacted me about 18 months back. Two things were evident from the kick-off: His efforts lacked a concise vision and thus could not be bound in a profitable manner. Yet, I was meeting a person of intense drive, supported by oodles of talent.

Over several months, David became more focused, creating new revenues, yet never quite “getting there”. One day, on return from an overseas trip, he announced with passion that he wanted to set up a quality bakery, using ovens to bake tasty bread. I was delighted, because I immediately understood that this was a concept that encompassed many of David’s key strengths and ideals.

This coming Friday, David will open the doors to his bakery to the general public. “Pat Bemelach” is located on the Kibbutz of Rosh Tsurim, just beyond south-east Jerusalem People will enter an atmosphere, which echoes an earthy, welcoming, late-Victorian feeling. The branding – logos, T-shirts, etc – is top class. While at very initial stages, with much to be proved in the marketing, the launch pad is there for a successful business.

And from a personal point of view, I am genuinely happy for David. He has showing a continued willingness to change, through a process of listening, when in the past he may have been reluctant. He has also benefitted from the allegiance of Anomarel Ogen, who David describes as his guru. And it is David’s personal skillset that is bringing all the separate components together.

I am looking forward to Friday morning and seeing the ovens working away. And that is why business coaching is fun.