Castle Quest

risk management made magical

If you think risk management is dull, boring, scary or irrelevant to your small business, I'm about to blow your mind!


Dear brilliant (but over-anxious) business owner...

The potential problems you need to deal with feel endless.

Everything feels dangerous.

You are overwhelmed by the weight of your own worries.

Not to mention the constant drain of what others demand from you.
BUT
Your business dreams are so big and beautiful,
YOU. JUST. CAN’T. QUIT.

When you don't have the time and mind-space to prioritise the confusing, boring, nitty gritty details of business ownership and life admin (like those set out in detail below), they keep slipping down your important but not urgent list, while you go on building your business on foundations that feel shaky and incomplete.

You fully intend to come back to patch the holes and deal with the dangers, someday, when the craziness of constant creation and delivery settles down. However, that day just never seems to come. You've made it this far without any major problems, so why mess with your vibe and risk manifesting problems by looking at what might go wrong?

The thing is - those cracks still weigh on your mind, even when you're ignoring them.

In Castle Quest, I use my extensive experience as a lawyer, mediator, problem-solver, and intuitive mentor to help you lighten the load! Together, we combine traditional risk management principles with imagination and intuition to transform threats into opportunities, make wise, proactive decisions about confusing or complicated challenges, and identify and resolve the difficult issues you will never otherwise make time to deal with (because you are too busy being brilliant). 

Innovative Risk Management - know your dragons

Ready to tame your dragons?

or if you're curious to know more about how castles and dragons
can be relevant to risk management, read on...

Take a moment to be completely honest with yourself. How many of the boxes below do you tick?
  •  There's a pile of 'adulting' that you've been avoiding in your business (and if you're truly honest, your personal life as well.) This makes you feel like you're only pretending to be a "real" business owner.
  • You're juggling way too many balls, hoping none of them fallIf only you had practical systems to take the pressure off, but you don't know where to start. 
  • You've done so much work on yourself that you really should be shiny AF and a total magnet for miracles by now, but you're conscious that the neglected shadows in your business are still getting in the way of your success.
  • You're frustrated because you're sabotaging your business by worrying, overthinking and making excuses instead of getting things done. You fear you'll never achieve your full potential, and you hate that, because you have BIG dreams.
  • You try and look like you have everything under control, but you often feel like a hot mess who's only just hanging in there. No matter how big your business grows, you know that you're still playing small - holding yourself back from what you could achieve if you went all in. If you get too visible, too successful, you're scared you won't be able to cope.
Ugh! Feels awful to admit that, right? 
What if instead...
  • You could let go of doubt about your ability to cope with unforeseen problems, your anxiety about all the things that could go wrong and your need to do everything right, and believe in yourself as the competent owner of a strong business?
  • You could be a better boss to your most important worker - YOU - making yourself your top priority? 
  • You could dig yourself out of the cycle of stress, overwhelm and resentment that is destroying your joy?  
  • You could access all of the support and accountability you need to get this stuff done, and have fun at the same time?
  • You could be completely confident and committed to doing the work that you love and loving the work that you do, knowing that whatever happens, you've "got this"?
Ever heard the saying "a stitch in time saves nine"?
Or the cost of "shutting the door after the horse has bolted"?
How about "trust in God but tie your camel"?


WHATEVER you have been avoiding,
in Castle Quest, I will help you get clarity about what needs to be done
and guide you to take confident strategic action aligned with your integrity…
No judgment, no blame, no guilt or shame.

Ready for risk management? Here's what you need to know...

~ Price ~ Dates ~ Terms ~

~ why it's called Castle Quest ~

Need real-world examples of risk management that's relevant to you?

Here are just some of the nasty dangers that can pile up
while you are focused on achieving your goals…
  • saying “yes” to obligations despite your whole body screaming “NO”
  • kicking yourself for not making that annoying client sign a contract
  • having your generosity taken advantage of by someone with no respect for boundaries
  • panicking because your computer crashed & your client files aren’t backed up
  • wading through mountains of crumpled receipts at tax time
  • struggling with the survival of your business while dealing with a family emergency
  • screaming into your pillow about the complexity of business ownership
  • dealing with nervous fatigue and burnout from carrying a heavy load of unidentified fear
  • having nightmares about what will happen to your business if something happens to you
It's ok! BREATHE! Help is at hand! 
If you want your business to be one of the 20% that survive more than 10 years, AND you want peace of mind as a business owner, then you are in the right place. Risk management is the missing piece of the puzzle, so let me make that fun, easy, accessible and relevant for you!

Let me tell you a little risk management story...

Once upon a time, there was an incredible leader who built a shining castle to attract visitors from far and wide.

(That leader is you! The castle is your business, and the visitors are your clients.)

None of the visitors know – and you’ve been trying hard to forget – in the caves under your castle, there is a nest of dragons.

(Those dragons are problems like the ones listed above.)

You’re ruling like a queen, serving people who love you, successfully expanding your thriving realm into a powerful empire.

But why are there mysterious clouds of smoke flooding your castle?

This invasive smoke is from the horde of dragons you’ve never made time to deal with, and it shows up in your business as paralysis, anxiety, overwhelm, disconnection, procrastination, and self-sabotage

(The smoke is your uncertainty & fear.)

If you continue to let those dragons grow huge and ferocious in captivity, they have the power to break free, destroying your whole castle.

How can you promote your business to its full potential with your subconscious screaming that it is not safe?

You can’t.

So, you stop following up on potential clients, hold back on launching, shrink from visibility and delay delivery until the last moment. 

All the while, frustration claws at your heart because you know you are better than this.

You deserve to be out there, leading the revolution, leaving your legacy… not choking on the smoke of despair.

What if I told you we can free those dragons, taming even the most ferocious of them to become supportive protectors and guardians of your business?

(Remember, the dragons are the problems in your business you’ve ignored.)

Yes, it’s risky to deal with them, but it’s even riskier to think you can avoid dealing with them.

The longer you leave them, the bigger and more dangerous they can grow.

innovative risk management - protect your castle


Fantasy's fine, but how does this approach to risk management really work?

Let me introduce myself! My name is Michelle Whitehead, and over the past decade, I’ve worked with a wide range of businesses that don’t fit in boxes – holistic coaches, alternative health service providers and heart-centred entrepreneurs – to transform overwhelm, uncertainty, anxiety, avoidance and resistance into solid, safe foundations through calm, confident, conscious choices.

I love the power of myth and metaphor for taking the mundane, boring, scary or complicated things we don't want to deal with and transforming them into something magical and fun - if we can engage our imagination, resistance decreases and fearsome tasks feel less dreary or dangerous.

Using the language of fantasy and poetic imagery removes the threat from topics that can otherwise be highly sensitive and difficult to discuss. Metaphor is proven to be an extremely powerful method for accessing your inner wisdom and for transforming complex concepts into common sense that stay in your mind.

Throughout the process, we are:

  • actively calming your business nervous system
  • improving your decision-making skills, and
  • preparing you to build your business to its full potential.

In Castle Quest, you will build your resilience & confidence in the safety of your business so you can trust yourself to be ready for anything - not just for now, but far into the foreseeable future.

I've shared some testimonials below - this is proven value - and my participants keep coming back year after year!

Access for the life of the program keeps you grounded while you fulfil your potential as the visionary business leader you are here to be, because this kind of work is never “one & done”.

I love Castle Quest - it is such a wonderful and innovative program... I am so grateful that Michelle brings her unique blend of storytelling, creativity and sense to the business of protecting your business. I feel very prepared to take care of my business in the years ahead and it has prepared me to uplevel without anxiety.

testimonial

Dominique Oyston

Goddess Voice Academy

I sleep better at night, thanks to Castle Quest. It is an "exceeds expectations" experience... playful, intuitive, serious and authoritative, all at the same time, like Michelle Whitehead herself. Mindset challenges are factored in alongside legal obligations and strategic challenges. It’s been a hugely empowering process. 

testimonial

Alice Bulmer

Alice Bulmer Music

What a pleasant surprise it was... a deep-dive into what I used to think were the boring parts of my business, it really strengthens your connection between you and your business in creative and fulfilling ways. Conversations were rich and support was fantastic. I am excited to revisit this material every year as my business grows.

testimonial

Jennifer Lang

SoundBodySphere

Want to meet some actual risk management dragons we have tamed?

These are just some of the toothy dragon problems that participants have dealt with in past rounds of Castle Quest…

Identify and let go of limiting belief dragons - those heavy "what ifs" and worries dragging you down:
  • what if my business gets too big too fast and I can't cope? 
  • what if I'm not good enough to do this work?
  • what if I get into trouble I didn't see coming?
  • what if I disappoint those who rely on me?
Take URGENT DRAGON ACTION on real world dangers - all those things you need to do, and you need to do NOW - but they're scary, uncomfortable, or you don't know where to start, so you just keep putting them off until it's too late:
  • firing a clingy client who is conflict waiting to happen
  • strategically searching & taking action to stop copyright infringement
  • mapping out the complex chaos of how your offers interact so you have an easy path to follow in future
  • raising your prices so your profit margin makes sense & communicating that to your clients
  • dealing with major change (divorce, death, chronic illness, obligations to elderly parents) without breaking your business
Deal with the less urgent but still threatening dragons. Things that need you to take action, but you can't do anything about right now. Things that need to be watched in case they become a problem. Things that need a long-term approach:
  • streamlining systems & creating workflows so you can stop reinventing the wheel
  • succession planning & knowing what needs to happen if your business loses you
  • transitioning to a business that is bigger than just you
  • getting your legals sorted and protecting your boundaries
  • building consistency in creativity, communication and client care

Castle Quest was created for you if:

  • you want to future-proof your business so you can leave a legacy that outlives you… 
  • you want bold boundaries that hold space for you to joyfully do your best work…
  • you believe ethics, integrity and good governance are essential to your success...
  • you are done holding yourself back and staying small for the illusion of safety...
  • you want to fearlessly forge an entrepreneurial empire grounded on fierce foundations...

All prices in Australian dollars, inclusive of GST. There's a money-back guarantee below.

Before you enrol, you must read & agree to the 

It is for your benefit as much as mine, and contains important information to help you get the most out of Castle Quest. 

Upfront Payment - save $330

$3300

Total

LIFETIME ACCESS*

Places are limited to 15 new participants each year.

You get instant access to all the content, and participate in the annual live calls from August to November.

Payment Plan

$363/m

x 10 months

LIFETIME ACCESS*

Places are limited to 15 new participants each year.

You get instant access to all the content, and participate in the annual live calls from August to November.

*LIFETIME ACCESS = the life of my business. I have no plans to stop working until I am physically incapable of sitting at my desk, and as long as I am operating, I am going to keep turning up each year and applying these risk management principles to Carefree Counsel! If I am no longer operating for any reason, you will be given as much notice as possible and a reasonable opportunity to download all of the program materials & resources.

If you want ongoing risk management but without the DIY time commitment, ask me about my bespoke 1:1 retainer, Castle Keeper.
Castle Keeper is personalised deep dive mentoring, support and accountability to strategically support your business for next-level growth.

Delivered over 12 weeks from August to November...

This is a collaborative, master-mind style program
where you are a co-creator of the experience, not just a consumer of the content....

Each week, we have:

a 2 hour theory & implementation call
& an optional 30 minute journaling call

Castle Quest provides a perfect mix of learning and doing, with weekly online workshops
where we start by explaining risk management concepts and then move straight into implementation during the call,
so nobody is left behind. 

12 Adventurous Risk Management Modules

Week 1
Introduction to Mission Possible
Welcome & orientation

Week 2
Stand Tall, Superhero
Clearing the way for confidence

Week 3
Welcome to the Jungle
Exploring your risk exposure

Week 4
Dragon Naming
Identifying your unique risks

Week 5
The Mystery of the Matrix
Analysis to choose your priorities

Week 6
Integration Week
Catch up & let the learning sink in

Week 7
Victorious Visionary
Sort danger from limiting belief

Week 8
Conquering Chaos With Calm
Identifying need for urgent action

Week 9
Accountability Action Week
Taking strategic mitigation action

Week 10
Empowered Empire Building
Finalising your risk register

Week 11
Damsel in Distress to Dragon Tamer
Succession planning for your legacy

Week 12
Crowning Glory
Celebrating Happily Ever After

risk management 100% guaranteed

This unique blend of guided visualisation, intuitive problem solving, practical risk management techniques and analytical business advice is drawn from my 10+ years as a lawyer working with small businesses. 


It may sound a little bit off the wall, but it is a proven model that you will not regret taking part in. It takes the best of traditional corporate tools and makes them relevant and accessible for your needs - as well as being fun! 


If you are not totally happy with your experience after the first 2 calls (when you will have had a chance to look through all the resources) I will give you your money back, no questions asked.

Got a question?

If it's not answered below, let me know!

Is this only for Australians?

No! Castle Quest is my VIP Signature program and it is designed to meet the needs of brilliant business owners worldwide.

So far, we have had participants from Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Because you will be applying each element of the course directly to your actual business, and because we take a holistic approach, understanding that for online entrepreneurs there is often very little separation between life and business, you will be easily able to adapt the principles to your unique business, no matter where you are located.

I still don't get it...  why Castles & dragons?

Why not? While I fully believe in the importance of good governance and risk management for every business that intends to survive and thrive for the long term, I am the first to admit that the traditional corporate methods are less exciting than trimming my toe nails.

My aim in creating this program is to make it as engaging and entertaining as it is practical and productive. The truth is, I don't want to be bored delivering this work anymore than I want you to suffer through the tedium of being tangled up in red tape.

That is why I have taken the best principles of business practice that I can find, and reverse engineered them into a holistic, creative, highly relevant process that incorporates all of your integrity, imagination and intuitive wisdom.

What stage of business is this best suited to?

While Castle Quest has benefits for every stage of business ownership, you will get the most out of this program if you have gone beyond the start-up stage and have an online business that you intend to be active in for a long time to come. 

What else do I need to know?

Everything else you need to know should be set out in the Castle Quest Participation Agreement. You need to read it before you enrol.

Read THE CASTLE QUEST PROGRAM AGREEMENT, and ask me if you have any questions. 

I'll give you 10% off the price option of your choice if you find a typo and let me know! You might even find a hidden surprise!

What does lifetime access mean?

LIFETIME ACCESS = the life of my business. I have no plans to stop working until I am physically incapable of sitting at my desk, and as long as I am operating, I am going to keep turning up each year and applying these risk management principles to Carefree Counsel!

If I am no longer operating for any reason, you will be given as much notice as possible and a reasonable opportunity to download all of the program materials & resources.

Why are places limited?

Places are limited to 15 new participants each year. This is to ensure I can give you personalised attention and support in your first live round, when you are just getting used to the new resources and are more likely to feel overwhelmed or confused. The whole point of this program is to REDUCE overwhelm and confusion, so if you choose to come back and do the work again in future years, you will be familiar with the principles and tasks involved and will not need as much hand-holding (although I will definitely still be here to answer your questions and provide accountability.) We have alumni returning year after year who can attest to the value of doing this work, and the greater peace of mind it has given both for themselves and their business. We look forward to welcoming you to join us!

I claim ownership of the name Castle Quest™ as an unregistered trade mark, wherever it is used, worldwide, in relation to online education and training, business mentorship and consultancy, legal services and risk management.