Pilot round open · 3 founder places · £500 diagnostic
FAQ · Quick answers

The questions founders actually ask.

Straight answers on application, fit, format, confidentiality and what happens after.

01 Do I pay when I apply? +
No. The application is short and free. I review fit before any payment is taken. If I don't think the Diagnostic will help you, I'll say so plainly — and you'll spend nothing. If we're a fit, you'll receive a payment link, kickoff booking and upload checklist together.
02 How is this different from hiring an ops person? +
An ops hire usually helps run the business. The Diagnostic identifies where the business is structurally depending on the founder and what should be fixed first. It gives you a map before you spend money on people, software or new systems — so when you do hire, they're running a system rather than building one from scratch.
03 Is this coaching? +
No. This is not coaching or therapy. The founder-pattern layer is used only to understand where behaviours such as over-approving, rescuing or holding too much context are reinforcing operational dependency. The output is still practical: decision rules, handovers, standards and priority fixes.
04 What if I just need SOPs? +
You may not need SOPs first. Many founders jump to documentation when the real issue is unclear ownership, weak handovers or missing decision rules. The Diagnostic shows what system is actually needed before anything gets written. SOPs can come after, in a Build, if you decide you want them.
05 What do I need to share? +
Whatever shows how the business actually runs — examples of workflows, handovers, client comms patterns, recurring questions, approval flows. The mess is the input. You don't need to clean it up first.
06 Can documents be redacted? +
Yes. Client names, team names, financial details, passwords or any sensitive material can be redacted before sharing. No passwords are ever needed. Commercial details only need to be shared if directly relevant.
07 Is this confidential? +
Yes. Anything you share is treated confidentially and used only to complete your Diagnostic. For pilot case studies, only anonymised patterns and outcomes are used unless you give written permission otherwise. Your business name, client details, documents or commercial information are never shared without written permission.
08 Can we use an NDA? +
For most Diagnostics, the confidentiality statement plus your ability to redact sensitive content is enough. If your business requires an NDA before sharing internal material, mention it in the application and I'll confirm whether I can accommodate it before payment is taken.
09 What happens after the Diagnostic? +
You can implement the Three StepAway Fixes yourself, give them to your team, or — if there's a clear fit — be offered a fixed-scope Build to implement the first priority system. There is no forced retainer, no automatic upsell, and no pressure to take a Build if it isn't the right next step.
10 How fast can we start? +
Kickoff is usually available within seven days of payment. The full Diagnostic takes 5 working days from when I receive your materials — typically the same day as kickoff.
11 What if we're not a fit? +
If I don't think the Diagnostic will give you a useful map, I'll say so plainly and not take your payment. If, during review, the real problem turns out to be outside scope — strategy, HR, finance, regulated compliance — I'll tell you, rather than force the project. The Diagnostic is not designed to fit every business.
12 What if I need implementation after the Diagnostic? +
A fixed-scope Build may be offered for one urgent dependency (Priority System Build) or for two-to-three connected systems (Systems Build). Build work is async-first, fixed-scope, and only offered where there's a clear fit. See Build Options →
3 pilot places · £500

Still have questions? Apply anyway.

No payment is taken at application. If it isn't a fit, I'll tell you plainly.

Apply for the £500 pilot
Privacy policy

1. Overview

This privacy policy explains how StepAway Systems ("we", "us", "our") collects and uses personal data when you visit stepawaysystems.com or engage with our services. We are committed to handling your data lawfully, fairly, and transparently in accordance with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

2. Who we are

StepAway Systems is a trading name of Jane Oladeinde, operating as a sole trader based in England. For all data protection enquiries, contact: jane@stepawaysystems.com.

3. What data we collect

We collect data only when you contact us or submit an application:

This site does not use advertising pixels or analytics tracking. Application forms may be processed through a secure third-party form provider such as Tally. Information submitted through the form is used only to review your application, respond to your enquiry and, if you become a client, deliver the agreed service.

4. How we use your data

We use your data only to: review your application, deliver the service you have engaged us for, and communicate with you about that service. We do not sell your data or use it for unrelated marketing.

5. Confidentiality during Diagnostics

Any business information shared during a Diagnostic is treated as confidential and used only to complete your Diagnostic. You may redact client names, financial details, passwords or sensitive material before sharing. For pilot case studies, only anonymised patterns and outcomes are used unless you provide written permission otherwise.

6. Retention

We retain personal data only as long as needed to deliver the service and meet UK legal obligations (typically 6 years for HMRC records). After that, data is securely deleted.

7. Your rights

Under UK GDPR you have the right to access, correct, delete, restrict or object to processing of your personal data, and to data portability. Contact jane@stepawaysystems.com to exercise these rights. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk).

8. Updates

We may update this policy. Material changes will be reflected here with an updated date.

Last updated: 2026.
Website terms

1. About this site

This site is operated by StepAway Systems, a trading name of Jane Oladeinde, sole trader, based in England. Contact: jane@stepawaysystems.com.

2. Use of this site

The content on this website describes services offered by StepAway Systems. Engagement of any service is governed by a separate written services agreement signed before work begins. Nothing on this website constitutes a binding offer of service or professional advice on its own.

3. Scope of services

The Founder Dependency Diagnostic is a fixed-scope review providing a Founder Dependency Map and Three StepAway Fixes. It does not constitute legal, financial, HR, regulatory or strategic advice. We are not your lawyers, accountants, financial advisors, HR consultants or compliance auditors. Where specialist advice is required, you should seek a suitably qualified professional.

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All content, copy, design and methodology shown on this site is © StepAway Systems. Diagnostic templates, frameworks and methodology may not be copied, redistributed or reused commercially without written permission.

5. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by UK law, StepAway Systems is not liable for any indirect, consequential, special or punitive losses arising from your use of this site or any services described on it. Nothing in these terms excludes liability for fraud, death or personal injury caused by negligence.

6. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

Last updated: 2026.