Photo of Setting Up Shop Co-Founder Louisa Stewart

Smart Systems make for smart decisions

February 04, 20252 min read

“I’ve always believed in knowledge sharing in business” - Louisa Stewart

Louisa Stewart brings nearly two decades of expertise in business systems, automation, and data intelligence to help new entrepreneurs build solid foundations for growth. With a background spanning both public and private sectors, Louisa understands the unique challenges SMEs face when scaling and is passionate about simplifying the complex to unlock business potential.

Photo of Setting Up Shop Co-Founder Louisa Stewart

Starting her career as a high-level administrator and award-winning Virtual Assistant (VA), Louisa developed a keen eye for detail and a strategic mindset, which she now channels into helping businesses make data-driven decisions. She excels at identifying gaps, uncovering opportunities, and designing bespoke systems that align with long-term goals.

Collaboration Sets Louisa Apart

Louisa’s collaborative approach sets her apart. She doesn’t just offer solutions—she works alongside business owners, guiding them through the reasoning process, sparking innovative ideas, and empowering them with the tools and confidence to succeed. Whether it’s refining sales funnels, optimising workflows, or demystifying data, Louisa ensures that systems are not just efficient but also meaningful and tailored to each business’s unique needs.

Entrepreneurship Isn’t a Straight line

Louisa’s entrepreneurial journey began from a place of burnout. She was working for an NGO, juggling multiple roles under the same salary, with the expectation that she could handle anything thrown her way. As she reflected on that time, she realised how often it was, “Oh, Louisa can do that,” until the workload became unsustainable. On top of that, she was dealing with a toxic colleague, which only made things worse.

Eventually, Louisa hit a breaking point and asked herself a pivotal question: “Why can’t I be a consultant? What’s stopping me from offering my expertise in a consultancy role instead of as an employee?” This shift in mindset led her to have an honest conversation with her boss. When they responded, “We can’t replace you,” Louisa thought, “But how is that my problem?”—a realisation that marked the start of her path towards entrepreneurship.

At Setting Up Shop, Louisa’s mission is clear: to help new entrepreneurs succeed with intelligent and simple systems and data solutions that support sustainable growth.

Do you have a question for Louisa? Drop her a line on LinkedIn

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