Welcome to my first blog!
What better day to choose to launch it than International Women’s Day? A day for celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It is so important to always remember and look back at the women who inspire us, whether that be in business or personally. You may have seen my live a couple of weeks ago when I was talking (or should I say rambling) to Helen Leonard of Cookfellas, Guisborough about how we are inspired. There have been many women in my life who have inspired me, who have been there for me through some pretty tough stages of my life, but who have always helped me to grow and become the best version of myself.
These women have helped to shape me into who I am now, and without them my world would be a very different place.
I could literally talk for pages on the women who have inspired me in life, there are far too many to talk about, so I have kept this to the women who have inspired me in biz for now…. Who knows I might feel the urge to do another blog to talk to you about those people privately who have inspired me too?
My Mum – Hilary
I now know what it feels like to be a mum. It’s the hardest, most challenging, physically and mentally draining, amazing, rewarding and exhilarating role ever. I certainly think my mum had the hardest job bringing me up, especially through my fiery teenage years (I had a red-haired temperament that is for sure), and at the time I know that I didn’t appreciate her quite as much as I should have. Mum trained as a teacher and after I was born she opened a childminding business so she could work around us (my brother and I). I remember our house was always full of kids and toys, and mum was always around when I needed her. When we were a bit older mum went back to work in a school as a Nursery Teacher, and the compassion and care she showed throughout her years in the job were incredible. Her work ethic was amazing, and I know that is the reason I have such a good work ethic myself. I have my mum to thank for helping me grow into the woman that I am and for teaching me that sometimes work is tough, sometimes it is hard, but with perseverance comes results and we always have to work hard if we want luxuries in life.
Jennifer Lopez – Well not technically JLo, more Mary Fiore in The Wedding Planner
The Wedding Planner…. Always my answer when someone asks me, what film has inspired you? I know, I know, it’s fiction, and wedding planners don’t really fall in love with the groom (well none that I know have), and they certainly don’t look as amazing as Mary Fiore does at the end of a 16 hour shift, but there was just something about that film that made me fall, well and truly, head over heels, in love with the wedding and event industry. I think I was at university when it first came out (showing my age here!!), and I have watched it pretty much every year since. I just fell in love with the idea of being able to help people plan their dream wedding, help people piece together all the different elements of an event so that they could really show the attendees what they are made of. Don’t get me wrong, I would have loved to do it with the look of Mary Fiore, but I think most of us can agree that no normal person has the time to reapply their makeup that much in the space of one shift. In reality, being a wedding planner is so very different, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Making couples smile from ear to ear is the best job in the world, and I thank Jennifer Lopez, and her portrayal of Mary Fiore in The Wedding Planner, for inspiring me to do the job. It might be so much different than what she made it out to be in the film, but it is 100 times better!
Julie Diggles My first ‘Events’ boss
When I was 25 I got my first job as an events co-ordinator at a gorgeous hotel in Guisborough. I relocated to the area from York (where I had been living and working at a hotel as a receptionist) and took the plunge. My boyfriend at the time (who is incidentally now my husband) was working and living close-by so after dating for a few months I decided to move to the area to be with him. Obviously it was meant to be.
The manager of the hotel at the time took a gamble, which I believe paid off for us all. I hadn’t got much experience in events, but was 100% committed to making a career in the industry, I was driven, passionate, hard-working and had absolutely nothing holding me back. The team at Gisborough Hall will always be special to me for all of these reasons, and for trusting me and putting so much time and energy into helping me progress through my career. It was my starting block. Whilst Julie wasn’t my line manager immediately, she slowly became a key part of my career and offered me so much guidance and support, I will be forever grateful. Interestingly she is my total opposite, we are like chalk and cheese, but weirdly get along so well. She was always able to nurture me, keep me on track and help me get to where I needed to be. She was my mentor, my confident and ultimately now my friend.
Helen Wardle - The woman who gave me the courage to become a VA
I spoke about Helen on my social media the other week. I have so much to be grateful to her for, she has really helped to give me the courage to step out on my own and work for myself. If it wasn’t for Helen I would never have discovered the world of Virtual Assistants, and certainly wouldn’t have ever known I could transfer my skills into doing this as my career. When I was made redundant in 2020 and had no idea what I could do with my life, Helen helped me to realise that I didn’t need to work for someone to be happy and successful, and I could go out on my own and make a career for myself doing all the things I love. Helen runs an immensely successful business with Temple Spa. She works incredibly hard and her dedication to helping other people feel good about themselves is amazing. She is kind, caring, hard working and committed, and makes everything so much fun when she is around. So many women (and men) look up to her, and Helen being Helen has absolutely no idea how many people she has truly helped and influenced over the years. She not only inspires me to work hard, but she also inspires me to be the best version of myself, and put a face mask on every so often too!!
Sara Noel & Natasha Holland - My Mentors, Coaches and Friends
More recently, i.e. since deciding to take the leap into self-employment, I have been lucky enough to be introduced to the amazing Sara and Natasha, The Confidence Mentors. These women are incredible. They have given me so much confidence and helped build me up to give me the courage to launch my dream business. They have done all this whilst home-schooling, bringing up their own children, running their own businesses, launching their own businesses, putting together a book and launching the CIC Get Ready to Rise. They inspire women daily and are always there to offer support and encouragement to hundreds of ladies in the launch and running of their business. We are truly blessed that they have decided to collaborate and form The Confidence Mentors to help fellow women in business to grow. I would be absolutely lost without them. They have made me feel like part of a team and given me the drive and determination as a new mum to make my business work for us as a family.
I feel incredibly blessed to have had all of these (plus more) amazing women in my life to help nurture me, guide me and support me to get to where I am now. At 38 (nearly 39!) years old I feel that I have finally found my calling. I have finally found what I am good at. I have finally found what I can thrive at. I can finally be me. The bubbly, enthusiastic, caring, energetic, supportive and nurturing me. The person that these women have helped to mould, and who has finally connected to who she is.
All I now want to do is help other women find their balance, find their calm, find their me-time, find their family time and find their friend’s time. I have never felt more passionate about it. I have never wanted to support fellow women in business more. I am ready to support them, inspire them and help them to plan and grow their business to where they want it to be.
Who is ready to follow my journey?
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