Even brilliant business managers struggle without the right framework
Good business systems and the right support are the difference between ‘we’re flying!’ and ‘who’s got the duct tape’?
The business manager role has evolved rapidly - from general admin support to strategic operations/ marketing/ sales support and capacity management - yet the resources to match that shift are lagging behind.
Even defining the role is a challenge - even for those who’ve been in the thought leadership industry many years.
Your business manager says "I'm under the pump" not because they lack ability, but because they're trying to excel in a role that's historically had no professional development pathway.
Meanwhile, you're feeling that familiar entrepreneurial itch - you want to run with your ideas but feel held back by operational limitations. Not because your business manager isn't clever enough, but because they need the right framework to turn their smarts into smooth-running systems
If you’re a speaker, coach, mentor or consultant thought leader
who values your team's potential,
this program is designed for you…
“My thought leader has noticed a positive change in how I analyse and approach conversations. I’m now more focused on the big picture and understanding the ‘why’ behind our actions.”
This if for you if:
You have a capable business manager who needs the right support system
They're clever and willing, but the role keeps evolving faster than the resources.
You value life by design for everyone on your team
You didn't start this business to have anyone working unsustainable hours.
You're building for the long term
You want a business manager who'll stick around and grow with you for 5+ years.
Catalyst enables you to share the professional development responsibility with diverse experts and community, so it's not all on you.
You hear about other leaders' "unicorn" business managers
And wonder what support system helped them get there, or assume you’re doing something “wrong”.
You want to unlock your business manager's full potential
You can see their capability but know they need better tools, community and capacity frameworks.
“I already loved my job but now I am LOVING my job.”
“Unclear job expectations create emotional exhaustion and reduce job satisfaction”
Your business manager has untapped potential
(and you both know it)
Your business manager has the smarts and capability - they just need what every professional role should have: structured development, peer community, expert guidance, and clear frameworks for success.
With the role evolving so quickly - from tech advances to shifting best practices - even the most capable business managers feel like they're constantly playing catch-up instead of staying ahead of the curve.
Right now, that means missed opportunities for your business. Projects that could run seamlessly require your constant input. Strategic thinking that could happen at their level defaults back to you.
You're not getting full value from your most important team investment - not because you hired the wrong person, but because the professional development infrastructure for this role hasn't existed.
Catalyst changes that. We provide the missing ecosystem for intelligent professionals to thrive in these diverse roles - enhancing their capacity while giving you confidence that your investment is protected and your business will flourish.
“I just have direction now. I was totally lost and didn’t know what my thought leader wanted or needed. It’s been amazing. ”
“Role ambiguity and workplace uncertainty lead to significant increases in emotional exhaustion and reduced job performance”
The Catalyst Experience
What’s Involved
-
A diagnostic review of the 8 core areas of your business to align the key priorities over the year. (See the model below)
This data will serve a our guiding framework for the key topics, and enable us to track progress.
-
Goal setting is important for business managers to lead from the front.
By outlining goals that match the business vision, managers create a clear plan that builds accountability and motivation. This ensures that regardless of experience and expertise, each individual gain’s what’s integral to them and the business they work in.
-
Tailored coaching and facilitation sessions that cover:
Operations & platform design
Curating Strategy days
Email & time management
Communication & relationships
Customising support for business owners
Marketing experience design
Sales experience design
Client experience design
The art of projects & tasks
Delegating to a Virtual Assistant
Social Media planning & execution
Event Curation
Utilising AI
Finance Management
Topic curation is based on diagnostic results and current demands of the group.
-
Expert masterclasses on evolving business topics and tools plus full access to past catalog of recordings. These are for the business manager and thought leader to attend!
Previous expert masterclasses
Sarah Hodges - Onboarding a VA
Meghann Birks - Neuro-Affirming Practices
Mikayla Whetton - Event Curation
Shane Williams - AI & Repurposing Content
Lisa Greenshill - Brand Story Marketing
Odette Barry - PR for Thought Leaders
-
Crowd source solutions, similar to an Ask Me Anything style workshop - where you learn just as much from other peoples questions that they bring to the table, as the solutions you gain from your own questions.
-
With 10min per person, the group will collectively help solve a key hurdle each business manager is facing.
We can cut through complex automation, or navigate a tricky client situation. It's FAST and POWERFUL.
-
A dedicated online space to stay connected between sessions and share resources.
Learn together in a 30-minute Tute Exchange, or smash through your to-dos in a 60-minute Coworking session.
The Tute Exchange is our community-led energy exchange where Catalyst members share knowledge, build confidence, and amplify each other's expertise. This is your space to practice training others (excellent preparation for managing VAs), deepen your own understanding (because teaching is learning), and discover new skills alongside peers who get it. You don't need to be the world expert - passion for a topic you've recently explored is just as valuable as years of experience. These short, sharp 30-minute sessions are designed to be impactful without overwhelming your schedule, and they're entirely driven by you, not me. It's about generous knowledge sharing that strengthens our entire community while developing your own presentation confidence and thought leadership skills.
Our community-led Coworking Sessions are your dedicated focus time with the gentle accountability of working alongside fellow Catalyst members. These sessions create the perfect environment for tackling those tasks that keep getting pushed to tomorrow, whether it's strategic planning, content creation, or administrative work that needs your full attention. The power of body doubling - simply working in the presence of others - helps maintain momentum and reduces the isolation that can derail productivity. It's your time to get things done while being part of a supportive community that understands the challenges of focused work. -
The value here is insaneeeee. over 50 hours of viewing time available, 20+ resources including AI prompts, content templates, project templates and more. See full library inclusions below.
Catalyst provides the ongoing support & resources needed during the bumpy bits.
Business managers are feeling it everywhere.
Recent research shows 82% of employees are at risk of burnout in 2025, with 77% having already experienced it in their current roles.
When you're supporting a visionary solopreneur who's moving fast and thinking big, these numbers aren't abstract stats for the corporate word -they're a reality.
Sources: The Interview Guys 2025 Burnout Report; Workplace burnout surveys 2024
meet your facilitator
Hey, I'm Katee.
(Yes, like 'Katie' but with two E's).
I understand what it's like when everyone's capacity is maxed out
"Katee's ability to look at what we saw as a big, confusing mess and turn it into a straight-forward workable solution was inspiring."
I help thought leaders and business managers get on the same page by facilitating the conversation between two different types of brains - the visionary with constant ideas who needs someone to run alongside them, and the detail-focused manager trying to be proactive but misses out on the bigger picture.
What people say makes me unique:
"Her knowledge and experience across such a huge range of products and services means you've got the most up to date and best practice information." - Rather than sending you to 3-4 different courses, Catalyst encompasses all the operational areas you need: marketing, positioning, operations, finance, automations, AI, communication strategies.
"Katee's ability to make complex processes into seamless and integrated systems is invaluable." - I don't just teach individual skills, I help you find the intersection of how your brains work and create the processes that get both your needs met.
"I just have direction now. I was totally lost and didn't know what my thought leader wanted or needed." - Business managers get the detail and support they need to stay proactive. Thought leaders get their energy back to focus on what only they can do.
Read more about me here.
Nice things, from great people
-
![]()
Rachael Van Rij - Business Manager for Stu Van Rij
My thought leader has noticed a positive change in how I analyse and approach conversations. I'm now more focused on the big picture and understanding the 'why' behind our actions.
The Catalyst program has been a game-changer for me. The playbook design session taught me to focus on efficiency vs. effectiveness and be more conscious of the quality of my communications. The task management framework led to productive discussions about defining the brief and understanding the problem we're solving before jumping into tasks. Prioritising tasks based on urgency and importance has significantly impacted my productivity.
The program has also helped me connect with others facing similar challenges, providing valuable insights and solutions. Hearing what works for others and why has saved me a lot of time. The wisdom shared in Catalyst is immensely helpful.
-
![]()
Chloe Henger - Business Manager for Fiona Robertson & Fleur Heazlewood
My space and mind are less cluttered.
The Catalyst program has highlighted the necessity of documentation, clear and effective communication with my thought leaders. I've learnt the importance of ensuring every project has a timeline, as otherwise, it’s just an idea.
One of the most significant changes has been improving our email management and not working from the inbox as much, which has led to better workload management. I now use my calendar for critical tasks and block time to complete reports or project tasks without critical deadlines.
The program has also pushed me to think deeper and find more time to implement processes. Loving this so far—I wish I had a spare week without interruption to put everything into action!
-
![]()
Shona Hainsworth - Business Manager for Selena Fisk
Thank you for something I didn't know I needed and didn't realise I would love and look forward to so much.
Catalyst has been transformative! The importance of documentation, highlighted by the program, has been crucial for our practice. I love the flexible programming, especially the addition of hot seat sessions and fascinating topics like biochemistry and the brain.
The power of collaboration and having a buddy has renewed my love for my role and increased my drive to help grow the practice. The strategies implemented from Catalyst have freed up more brain space, allowing me to work more efficiently and dedicate more time to nurturing the practice. Engaging with other business managers for collaboration and ideas has drawn on additional experience and expertise, leading to better decision-making.
-
![]()
Mikayla Whetton - Business Manager for Lisa O’Neill
I would not hesitate to recommend Katee for support, consultation and implementation.
Katee’s ability to make complex processes into seamless and integrated systems is invaluable. Her knowledge and experience across such a huge range of products and platforms means you always know you’ve got the most up to date and best practice information.
Katee is extremely thorough from conception through to execution, and beyond. Ensuring both the customer experience and back-end management are given care and consideration. I would not hesitate to recommend Katee for support, consultation and implementation.
-
![]()
Kimberly Cotton - Chief of Staff for Chad Littlefield
Meeting like-minded people facing similar challenges has shown me that we are not alone in the solo world.
The templates shared revolutionised my task management. Unexpectedly, I've gained a strong sense of community and even formed a productive partnership with another participant. While I'm still learning some tools, Catalyst's flexibility allows for gradual skill-building. Katee's leadership is outstanding, making me feel fortunate to participate. For those transitioning from corporate roles, Catalyst is invaluable in introducing essential platforms and tools for success in this field.
-
![]()
Petrina Wornish - Business Manager for Katrina Bourke
I just have direction now. I was totally lost and didn't know what my thought leader wanted or needed.
Katee’s awesome. It's been amazing. There are hard decisions, especially with software, and it really depends on advice and direction that works practically. Like Katee says, it's custom to us, and we love it.
-
![]()
Serena Francis - Business Manager for Emma McQueen
Katee’s ability to look at what we saw as a big, confusing mess and turn it into a straight-forward workable solution was inspiring.
Her knowledge of all things systems and platforms is amazing and helped me realise that there is a solution to what we are looking for without feeling overwhelmed by the choices available.
Katee is super approachable and was right there during our Implementation phase to ensure that all went smoothly. I felt comfortable knowing I could ask questions and seek clarity, and she will always reply in a timely manner. I feel very grateful to have Katee in our corner, not just because her wealth of knowledge is incredible, but also because she is great person to work alongside too.
-
![]()
Suzie Leyden - Business Manager for Tracey Ezard
Catalyst transformed my work life!
I've moved forward on stalled projects, gained clarity in decision-making, and tackled long-standing challenges.
The supportive community and practical tools have streamlined my processes, freed up mental space, and empowered me to achieve tangible results. I'm more organised, confident, and excited about the future than ever before!
-
![]()
Georgie Phillips - Business Manager for Col Fink
Catalyst has been truly transformative for our growth and development as a team and business.
Playbook construction was a real game-changer for us, improving our workflow and project clarity. Catalyst gave us a well-defined business structure and effective systems, with the result that our team has now become more organised and focused on the 'right' tasks. The insights from other leaders were absolutely invaluable throughout.
-
![]()
Dave & Bianca - Dave O’brien.com
Katee is an absolute gun!
Her guidance and solutions are practical and she makes you feel more relaxed about finance and projects that are usually very overwhelming!
-
![]()
Natasha Payne - Business Manager for Christopher Miller
If you are sitting on ideas and know you want to do more with them, Catalyst is the place to start.
Working with Katee in the Catalyst program has been one of the best decisions I have made. I came in with a lot of ideas but not much direction, and she helped me cut through the noise and focus on what actually mattered.What I appreciated most was how she did not let me stay on the surface. Katee pushed me to dig deeper, asked hard questions, and held me accountable, but always in a way that felt supportive rather than overwhelming. The mix of reflection and action meant I was not just thinking differently, I was moving forward.
The program gave me structure and clarity at a time when I really needed it. I left feeling more confident, with practical steps I could actually follow through on.
ready? i’d love you to join us
Details:
The next intake, starting late January 2026 will begin taking enrolments from October 2025 and includes;
Immediate Community App access (for full library recordings + resources)
2 x Practice diagnostic reviews and analysis
Onboarding call and diagnostic review with Katee.
2 x group goal-setting sessions
6 x 60 min group coaching sessions
3 x 60 min group collaboration sessions
2 x 90 min Hot Seat sessions
3 x 60 min Masterclasses (Business owners are invited too!)
Plus community led sessions such as co-working and tutorial exchange.
Private group app for discussion, resource library and collaboration
Access to all recordings, resources and tools from previous and current years
Payment Options:
Monthly Payments:
$900AU non-refundable deposit*.
Followed 10 monthly instalments of $400AU* between Feb & Nov to help your cash flow.
To support the community connection, we just ask for a minimum commitment of 6 months.
Annual - Paid in Full:
$4,400AU*
Includes a non-refundable deposit of $900AU*, after your deposit has been paid an invoice will be sent for the balance of $3,500*, due within 30 days
Save $500
*Plus GST for Australians.
Note: By paying Your deposit, You agree to the terms explained here: kateegray.com/catalyst-terms
Got Questions? I’ve covered a bunch below or register for open week where your questions will be answered.
When you enrol in Catalyst, you’re not just signing up for the future sessions and community engagement. You get immediate access to 2 years worth of historic value from coaching sessions, masterclasses, collaboration sessions AND a bunch of tools, AI prompts and frameworks that make life simpler.
No more siloed research that wastes time (and isn’t relevant to your context).
Resource & Recording Library
Masterclasses
coaching sessions
resources
And the list keeps on going…!
got questions?
-
To cater for attendees across the globe, we will rotate the following time slots;
8:00am AEST/ AEDT
(10:00am NZT, 3:00pm PDT, 6:00pm EDT)
2. 9:30am AEST/ AEDT
(11:30am NZT, 4:30pm PDT, 7:30 EDT)
3. 12:00pm AEST/ AEDT
(2:00pm NZT, 7:00pm PDT, 10:30pm EDT)
-
You're not alone, here is what previous participants had to say about being invested in and gaining that ROI;
"I was concerned about the ROI. In what way/would the practice benefit from this that would be worth the investment? I couldn’t figure out how I could measure it (DATA), so it was scary.
Now? I absolutely know it was 100% the right decision.
I already loved my job but now i am LOVING my job. I have more confidence to try things, I know I’ve got a great team of support for when I have a question or just need a sanity check.
I love that I’ve put in place more integrations and automations to take out some of the time consuming/wasting parts of what I do and implementing Asana to also help not have any of those small (but important) jobs fall through the cracks. I love that we’re levelling up our client experience. I love that we’re more focused on maintaining better balance and protecting our energy.
(and the surprise bonus - I’m making friends that I wouldn’t have otherwise).
In summary, ❤️💙💚💜💛."
"I have always been in the fortunate position with my practice owner that they offer PD for me to do regularily but I do still feel uncomfortable accepting them as I’m concerned with the ROI. And then after the fact it has always been ‘why didn’t I do this sooner’. I will admit I was sceptical about this program around the ROI as I wasn’t sure if this program was for more established practices, but just today’s session has proved how fabulous it is. So much gold from Mikalya’s session today. And it has proven to me that we all have talents and skills in so many areas that unless the question is asked we don’t realise it. Just having this network to fall back on for the trickier questions is a ROI in itself. And some of the questions asked have made me think of our processes and how we can improve them. Gold. " -
Absolutely! You can catch up on the digital platform or it will be emailed to you
-
All session dates will be advertised 3 months in advance, and you will receive a shared calendar to sync with yours.
-
Sometimes a VA (Virtual assistant) operates as a business manager without the title. If you’re a VA who is proactively driving business growth - then let’s chat.
-
Yes, absolutely, please email hello@kateegray.com and we will issue you an invoice with bank details.
-
Both are welcome, and I’d love to hear queries from both the solopreneur and the business manager, as the program outcome centres around effective integration to enhance the business, not just the individual.
-
This is an individual business consideration. Some possible considerations are;
Fully funded by business
Fully funded by the business manager
50/50 between business owner and manager
Packaged into a bonus structure
Split payment between multiple businesses if you are sharing a manager
-
Virtual assistants who are task or output focused
Business managers working with entrepreneurs selling products
Those who are not familiar with working with thought leaders, experts and consultants
-
Business managers will have the opportunity for up to 3 hours of live contact time each month, including coworking sessions.
In between sessions, additional value will be gained from engaging with the online community. -
You may transfer their enrolment to your new business manager. Or utilise the remaining program credit towards 1:1 advisory support with Katee.
-
100% YES. The inaugural Catalyst program in 2024 included a Cohort of people who had been in their role for anywhere from 3 months to 12 years!
Their testimonials are below
-
No. CATALYST creates a comprehensive support ecosystem that your business manager has always deserved. You're not just getting training - you're giving them the professional development infrastructure that enables them to show their full potential.
-
Business managers who receive proper support and development are significantly more likely to stay long-term because they feel valued and capable in their role. The frameworks and systems they implement benefit your business regardless.
-
Minimal involvement required. The initial assessment benefits from your input, and we recommend quarterly check-ins, but your business manager drives their own development within our supported framework.