Sarah Abel: Transforming the Way Small Businesses Grow

When it comes to growing a business, passion alone isn’t always enough. Sarah Abel, founder of TNB Skills Training, knows this better than most. After years of running her own ventures and helping entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of scaling, she discovered a game-changing tool: government-funded education.

With TNB Skills Training, Sarah is transforming the way small businesses grow — guiding owners to build stronger teams, streamline operations, and plan strategically without the stress of financial strain. Her approach isn’t just about learning; it’s about creating real, lasting change. Through her guidance, small business owners go from feeling overwhelmed to confident, empowered, and ready to turn potential into tangible success.

“Small businesses don’t need more pressure — they need support. Funding gives them the space to grow with confidence.”

What inspired you to start TNB Skills Training?

TNB Skills Training started from a simple realisation, that most small business owners are brilliant at what they do, but often have no idea what support is available to help them grow.

I’d spent years running my own businesses, working with entrepreneurs who had so much passion and potential, but not enough time, funding or direction to reach the next level. I knew the power of funded training from my own experience, and I wanted to bridge that gap, to make it easier for small businesses to access the support they deserve.

For me, TNB is about empowerment. It’s about helping people see that growth doesn’t have to mean risk or stress, when you know how to use funding strategically, it becomes a vehicle for real, sustainable success.

How did you first discover the power of funding for growing a business?

Honestly, by accident! Years ago, when I was scaling one of my own businesses, I needed to upskill my team but couldn’t justify the cost of training at the time. That’s when I discovered government-funded education, and it completely changed everything.

It allowed me to strengthen my operations, develop my staff, and grow with confidence, without putting the business under financial pressure. That experience showed me what was possible when you use funding strategically rather than reactively.

Once I saw the impact it had, I became passionate about helping other business owners understand and access those same opportunities.

Why do you think so many business owners don’t take advantage of available funding?

Because most people don’t know it exists, or they think it’s “too complicated.” I hear that every week. There’s this misconception that funding is only for large corporations or people with teams of accountants behind them.

In reality, government-funded training and development programmes are designed for small businesses. They exist to help owners build skills, systems, and confidence to grow, but they’re not always clearly explained or accessible. My mission is to change that narrative and make it simple to understand and easy to access.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from using funding in your own businesses?

That funding is not just about saving money; it’s about creating capacity. It gives you room to grow strategically rather than reactively.

When used well, funding lets you take a step back from the daily chaos and actually work on your business – improving leadership, marketing, customer experience, and long-term sustainability.

The biggest lesson for me has been that funding works best when it’s part of a bigger plan. It’s not a quick fix; it’s a catalyst for long-term success.

For someone new to this, where’s the best place to start when looking for funding?

Start with clarity, what do you need most right now? Do you want to develop your team, improve your marketing, strengthen your leadership, or plan for growth?

Once you know that, speak to a trusted training provider or funding specialist. At TNB Skills Training, that’s exactly what we do, we help business owners understand what’s available, what they’re eligible for, and how to make it work for their goals.

It’s not about chasing funding for the sake of it; it’s about finding the right programme that aligns with your business vision.

“When you use funding strategically, you stop surviving and start building a stronger, sustainable business.”

Can you share a story of someone whose business changed after joining your training?

One that always stands out is a small business owner who came to us feeling completely stuck. She’d taken on staff but didn’t have the structure or confidence to manage a growing team.

Through our leadership and business development programmes, she learned how to build systems, delegate effectively, and create a clear plan for growth. Within a year, she’d expanded her operations, improved productivity, and even launched a new service line.

The best part? She told me she finally felt like a business owner rather than just someone “running to keep up.” That’s the transformation we love to see, when structure and confidence come together through education.

What’s one common mistake people make when applying for funding?

Trying to figure it all out alone. The information online can be confusing, and it’s easy to give up halfway through the process.

The key is to ask for support early. Working with someone who understands the funding landscape can save you time and make sure you access the right programme the first time.

We simplify it for our clients, from eligibility checks to enrolment and delivery, so they can focus on actually learning and applying what they’ve gained.

How has your background shaped the way you teach and support others?

I’ve walked the same path as most small business owners. I’ve built companies from scratch, made mistakes, and learned through experience. That means I understand the reality behind the theory, the late nights, the cash flow worries, the constant need to adapt.

That’s why our approach at TNB is so practical. Everything we teach is designed to be applied in real life, not just ticked off as a qualification. I believe business growth training should be empowering, relatable, and actually work for the people taking it.

What do you love most about helping people grow their business through funding?

It’s the shift in belief. When a business owner realises, they can access support, that they do qualify, and that there’s a clear path forward, everything changes.

I’ve seen people go from overwhelmed and uncertain to energised and confident in a matter of weeks. The funding itself is just the start, what it unlocks in people is what truly inspires me.

What’s next for you and TNB Skills Training?

We’re continuing to expand our national reach, building partnerships across different sectors and regions so more small businesses can access funded programmes.

We’re also focusing heavily on leadership, digital marketing, and strategic growth qualifications, the areas that make the biggest impact for small business owners right now.

Our mission remains simple: to make funded education accessible, practical, and transformative for every small business. At TNB Skills Training, we’re dedicated to empowering creative minds – helping entrepreneurs, leaders and teams unlock their potential, build confidence, and turn ideas into sustainable success. Every business deserves the chance to grow with the right support, and we’re here to make sure that happens.