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Before I left my corporate job, I was so in awe (and still am) of women who had taken the leap and set up their own business. I wanted to know how they came up with their idea and what gave them the courage to finally go for it.
When I set up IWMLBproject I decided to interview women who had launched their own successful businesses. It is so interesting to read about the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ from real-life down-to-earth women just like you and me.
Here are the other interviews if you want to have a read!
This week’s interview is with a Brand and Business Coach who has two companies, one for coaching businesses and one for individuals.
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Photography by Minna Rossi at www.MinnaRossi.com
I have had my own businesses since 2011, my job before that was a Board Director and Brand/ Business Development Strategist for Jamie Oliver where I worked for nine years.
My job at Jamie’s wasn’t too corporate as we were a very dynamic company and had a lot of freedom, I was basically an entrepreneur within a job.
My first business was a consultancy for big brands (many corporate ones like Conde Nast, Guardian Media Group). It was awesome as I was playing at a high level but in 2016 I felt a real calling to do more for entrepreneurship and people starting out who don’t have access to great resources, so I set up my online business to help more entrepreneurs with affordable solutions that cut the crap!
Then in 2017, I launched my personal branding agency in LA for the next “Jamie Olivers” – people who are here to change the world in positive ways and build big brands and businesses around themselves. I love doing both.
When I set up my first business I had 3 months worth of money in the bank to pay my mortgage and overheads.
No
I have done several online courses to see what’s out there and am constantly developing myself – I’ve been into personal development for 20 years and trained as a coach mentor in 2004.
Yes! Because no-one could understand why I left high flying jobs to do something else and with the online business, in particular, it was new territory.
I got over that by having such a compelling reason, being so compelled by the outcome and objective of helping more people that it was worth it and I’m a coach so I’m a mindset queen 🙂 I can brainwash myself and anyone else into achieving their dreams. Belief is everything.
Creating a vision only I could see and understand to start with, feeling like a bit of an outlaw but I’ve got used to that!
All the time! We all do! I don’t really see them as mistakes though, just times when I wasn’t most aligned with what I felt inside. Biggest one, taking on the “wrong clients” and one staff member I knew wasn’t for me.
Pretty much straight away.
I don’t see clients on Mondays. I prioritise self-care. My business can be location free and has been for the past 6 years so I’ve travelled the world while working.
I don’t have kids but I have a huge zest for life so work and play must go together. I only work with people I love and who inspire me and I make sure I don’t compromise what makes my life feel good outside of work.
There is no point setting up a business for more freedom and feeling like you are in a job.
Yes but I’m quick not to. If it’s not an absolute YES, it’s a no until it’s a yes or I let it go. You have to deeply trust yourself.
Social media, word of mouth, some PR activities. My first business was referral only and I wasn’t a big networker then (natural introvert turned more extravert) so anything is possible. The key is to do what feels good to you.
Helping people succeed and monetise who they are and their dreams. Creating life on my terms. Being an artist and creator of my own reality.
Trust yourself, don’t compromise on your ideals, know what they are, lock them in and believe they are possible. Work on your belief more than anything else. The rest will follow when you decide not to do what you think you can, but what you would really really love to.
Hi, I am Laura. I set up the 'I Want My Life Back Project' after burning out in a corporate job. I quit in May 2017 and set about getting my life back. I now freelance 2 days a week, run this blog, manage my rental properties and am SO MUCH HAPPIER! All the content on this blog is to help you to get your life back too :-)
