Movers and Shakers: Andrea Watts Founder UnGlue You

Andrea Watts founded UnglueYou® after hitting a creative dead-end in her career in social care. A single collage session, prompted by her coach, unlocked buried ideas, revealed a path to coaching through visual storytelling, and convinced her she already held the “keys” to new doors.

In this Mover & Shaker profile, Andrea explains how that breakthrough sparked a business that now helps people worldwide gain clarity and confidence through her Collage Coaching Technique™.

What sparked your journey into entrepreneurship, and what inspired you to start your business?

My journey into entrepreneurship began at a point in my career where I felt stuck, creatively unfulfilled, and under increasing pressure at work. My wellbeing was starting to suffer, and I knew something had to change — but I didn’t yet know what that change could look like.

I turned to career coaching for guidance. During one session, my coach encouraged me to visualise doors opening to new possibilities. When I tried to draw this, the result felt flat and lifeless. That’s when I returned to a method that had always helped me express what words couldn’t: collage.

Using magazines, I intuitively created a collage that tapped into my unconscious feelings and desires. The process revealed far more than I expected. Certain images spoke powerfully to where I was emotionally, from feeling hidden and stuck, to a growing sense of readiness to embrace change and creativity.

One collage in particular, which I titled The Decision, helped me see that I was ready for a new direction. It captured the excitement of stepping into the unknown and reminded me that I already had the keys to open new doors.

That experience was transformative. It showed me the power of visual storytelling in helping people access clarity, motivation, and deeper self-awareness.

This became the spark for UnglueYou® a business where I now guide others to use collage in coaching, personal growth, and creative exploration.

What were the initial steps you took to turn your idea into a functioning business?

To have a financial cushion, I saved for six months before leaving my job (I underestimated how much it would cost to start a business, but that’s another story!)

I did lots of research about starting a business which led me to joining an incubator program at my local business startup centre.

During this three-month period, I developed my business plan, chose a business bank account, wrote the vision for my company and, with my husband’s help, named the business. After three months I started working from home.

Other initial steps included attending startup events, such as Rasheed Ogunlaru’s Soul Trader workshops at the British Library (he told me about PRECIOUS), investing in my logo design, creating a simple website, and connecting with former colleagues and friends.

Later, I received training in social media marketing, including how to effectively use LinkedIn and Facebook

How do you approach planning for the future, and what strategies keep you focused and motivated?

I have a clear vision to see the Collage Coaching Technique™(CCT) (a coaching approach I developed) reach a global audience.

Each year I develop a strategic plan to support that aim, taking account of the macro and micro impacts on my business while remaining organic and adaptable. This plan has taken various formats, including written documents, diagrams, collages, and a tree of post-it notes!

While I occasionally lose my mojo, the transformations I witness, encouragement received from clients, and a strong sense of purpose at the heart of my work, keep me motivated and inspired.

Have you faced any significant sacrifices as an entrepreneur, and how have you navigated them?

When I started my business, I had to take a substantial financial hit. I was in line to become the CEO of the organisation I left, which made the decision even more significant.

While this choice impacted my lifestyle, I knew I wouldn’t have been happy in that role and my wellbeing would have suffered. Having less money has meant less travel and fewer material things, but thankfully, I’ve never been driven by possessions.

I’m incredibly grateful to have a husband who has supported me every step of the way, even though the sacrifices affected him too.

During intense periods that required long stretches of focused work, like writing my book or developing the training programme, I’ve also had to sacrifice time with family and friends.

However, the rewards have always outweighed the sacrifices. While I’m now financially stable, I believe it’s important to remember that abundance comes in many guises. We shouldn’t underestimate the value of loving our work and pursuing something that feels fulfilling and meaningful.

Can you describe a standout day in your entrepreneurial journey that felt especially rewarding?

This is a hard question as I’ve had my business for 13 years, and choosing just one standout day is difficult! So, I’ve chosen three 

The most obvious answer might be the day my book ‘Collage as a Creative Coaching Tool: A Comprehensive Resource for Coaches and Psychologists’ arrived. Seeing it in print was incredible. But to be honest, I think the real standout moment was when I actually finished writing it. After a journey of 18 months, I remember thinking, “Oh my days, I’ve finally done it!” That sense of accomplishment was unforgettable.

Another standout day was when I was invited to facilitate a workshop and coaching in New York. It felt amazing because I’d always dreamed of travelling with my work, so getting that invitation was a real wow moment. (I’ve since delivered the sessions in NYC and yes…wow!!)

I think it would be remiss of me not to mention the time I collaborated with Google Health and Imperial College London to deliver workshops as part of a research programme. That collaboration was also a real high point.

There are other standout days too, and I’d group these together. Every time I witness someone have a breakthrough, an incredible shift, knowing their life has changed, those moments are truly unforgettable.

What’s been the most challenging or nerve-wracking moment in your business so far, and how did you handle it?

One of the most defining moments in my business happened within the second year. I was heading to a networking event for female entrepreneurs, and I remember arriving at this grand, imposing building with a sweeping driveway. I was intentionally ‘suited and booted,’ trying to play the part of a confident businesswoman.

As I approached the meeting room, the door was ajar, and I caught a glimpse of the women inside. They looked so powerful, confident and at ease as they chatted amongst themselves. Loud and clear, I heard a voice in my head say, ‘You don’t belong here!’ I just wanted to run away and go home.

Instead, I stepped back, took a moment to breathe and centre myself. I then said to myself, ‘Andréa, you may not know what they know, but you know what you know. You can do this.’

So, I went in and sat between two women. One was Jenny Garrett, the other was Carole Ann Rice. I work with them both now, and they’ve been incredibly supportive. I sometimes reflect that if I’d left, no-one would even have known I was there, but it would have changed so much. It was an important lesson.

That moment of doubt was incredibly nerve-wracking; I felt it in my whole body. But I know that my response set the tone for everything that came after. It prepared me for future challenges, because I always remember the outcome from facing my fear and trusting my truth.

What steps or strategies do you take to ensure your business continues to grow and evolve?

To ensure my business continues to grow and evolve, I’ve learned the importance of investing financially even when the returns aren’t immediate.

There were times when I wasn’t earning much but chose to hire a virtual assistant and have someone develop my website.

I realised I was spending too much time on tasks that others could do more efficiently. This freed me up to focus on the work only I can do. I also committed to investing in my CPD (continued professional development), technology, and tools that help streamline my operations.

I’m naturally full of ideas, so evolving the business comes easily. However, prioritising those ideas to focus on what will have the most impact isn’t always easy.

In a similar way, in the past I had an unhealthy money story, meaning making financially sound choices was difficult, but essential for me to learn.

I’m intuitive and lead with my heart, and while that’s a strength, it also brought challenges of balancing purpose with profitability. I had to remind myself that sustainability is key. As I want to be here in the future and continue doing meaningful work, the business needs to be financially viable.

So, like a collage, my approach is a blend; combining strategic investment, continuous learning, staying flexible, and keeping an eye on the numbers while remaining rooted in my purpose.

What do you love most about being your own boss?

So much including:

• The freedom to pioneer. To create and shape a new arts-based methodology in the coaching profession.

• Being creative in how I approach my work and design my programmes.

• The quiet. I love that I can work in my office without being disturbed. It’s so peaceful and allows me to focus.

• Like many entrepreneurs, I value the flexibility. It means I can be there for my family and spend time with friends more easily.

• The variety. I meet so many different people and travel to places I never would have, had I still been working for someone else.

• Everyday is different, and I’ve learnt to embrace the challenging and exhausting alongside the triumphs and joy.

What are some of the toughest challenges you’ve faced working for yourself, and how do you overcome them?

Without a doubt it’s not having someone immediately available to bounce ideas off. While I like the quiet of my home office, I’m an extrovert. Therefore, I still benefit from sharing my thoughts and ideas and learning and creating with others sometimes.

To ensure I have this, I’ve gathered a trusted circle of family, friends and colleagues together who fulfil this role. My daughter has been an incredible sounding board, and my husband is always there to listen, sometimes that’s all I need to work things through myself.

Thankfully, as arts-based coaching takes root, I’m finding more and more like-minded colleagues and coaches I train with a shared understanding. This growing support network is invaluable.

It’s important to mention another big challenge which entrepreneurs with new and growing businesses all face…the sheer weight of tasks. Until you can afford to outsource, you must do everything yourself. From marketing, website development, strategy, and networking, to PR, tech, programme creation, and accounting, you name it, you’ll do it.

To manage, I took it one step at a time, learning as I went, gradually and organically. I also didn’t think about the sheer volume of what I was doing. I remained present, focusing on what was most immediate and necessary in the moment so as not to feel overwhelmed.

From a mindset perspective, having the courage to keep going when you don’t see the rewards of all your hard work. This is particularly tough, you can question yourself and doubt if things will work out. However, my faith is the foundation that has kept me going.

Who inspires you as a business owner, and why?

Jenny Garrett. As a black female entrepreneur, I admire all that she’s achieved and how she runs her business from a place of genuine love and care for those she serves.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received for running a business, and who gave it to you?

The advice came as a question.

‘Why don’t you try focusing on where you can make money instead of where you can save it?’

One of my best friends – Dr Simon Davey

This simple question, asked early on in my business journey, created a significant shift in where and how I focused my energy.

Which three books, websites, or resources have made the biggest impact on you as a business owner?

I think my answer relates more to my coaching practice than me as a business owner per sé. But the three that have had the most impact on me are:

• ‘Man and His Symbols’ by Carl Jung.

This book deepened my understanding of the unconscious and the role of symbolism which is integral to my coaching approach and personal growth.

• ‘The Real Neuroscience of Creativity’ blog post by Scott Barry Kaufman

This article helped me understand how our brains function during the creative process, empowering me to approach challenges in my business (and all areas of my life) as creative problem solving.

• ‘Collage as a Creative Coaching Tool: A Comprehensive Resource for Coaches and Psychologists ‘

This is my own book, but writing it was transformative. It helped crystallise my thinking and gave me the confidence to articulate and own my unique methodology.

Beyond your business, what are your other passions, and how do you unwind or recharge?

I love my family deeply, we’re very close. When I spend time with them, including my grandson who was born last year, there’s always so much joy and laughter that helps me unwind and recharge.

I also find creating collages deeply nourishing, enriching and uplifting. It’s a creative and powerful way for me to reflect and connect to my internal, intuitive and spiritual wisdom.

A blend of micro walks, yoga, journalling, worship, singing, back massages, and dancing are part of my regular self-care practice. Then Twice a year, I retreat to a shepherd’s hut for a week, with no commitments, just me in the heart of nature 

Connect with Andrea on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreawattsunglueyou/