Corporate to Calm

Resilience is Breaking Your Back & Creating a Business - Amelia Peckham - Cool Crutches

WELCOME TO SEASON 4 

“Whether you will be able to stand, we don’t know, whether you’ll be able to walk, we don’t know, we do know that you won’t be able to walk unaided”

In this episode of Corporate to Calm I speak with Amelia Peckham from Cool Crutches

www.coolcrutches.com

The theme of this episode is plain and simple, hard work and resilience.

“Everything at the time was no, it was all on me to be upbeat and positive when door after door was being closed”

In 2005 Amelia broke her back in a quad biking accident which changed the course of her life. Yes, she still went to college, yes, she did pursue a career that she wanted however with one big difference. Amelia had a life changing disability and herself and her Mum founded their own company.

This episode looks at

• The importance of listening to your gut
• Always have the end user as part of the design process
• The importance of not taking no for an answer
• How hard work pays off
• You are worth more than you think
• Push yourself outside the comfort zone

After her accident Amelia was told to rehab for 3 months and this would determine whether she would walk again. She was handed NHS crutches and a physio all very straightforward right?

No! Amelia was devastated when blisters formed on her hands within days, and she was told to go back to bed for a couple pf days to let them heal. A couple of days but you’ve given me three months to walk. The crutch was clunky, slippy, made noise and not fit for purpose.

“I wanted a menu of options, a way forward, some light – don’t tell me to grit my teeth”

Only a Mum would scour global trade shows to help her daughter. Amelia couldn’t believe it when they could not find a suitable crutch. They approached top crutch designers to be told on numerous occasions, I can do everything except. Amelia did not accept that. They met with a designer, and they designed the first cool crutch. 17 years later the business is going from strength to strength and Amelia is now in her business full time. They have had clients and patrons such as Vogue Williams, Amanda Holden, Prue Leith, Jamie Laing and Eamonn Holmes

"No One Will Sell Your Business Better than You”

 

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Experience, Resilience and a small business during the pandemic - Denise Coughlan

“Experience has been my greatest friend"

A guide to how a small business coped during the pandemic

Denise has worked within the Fitness industry for the past 20 years; she has taught everything from gymnastics to Pilates.

Denise’s Journey will resonate with so many. Her business Resolute Wellness has been through the mill with the pandemic and her story is like a lot of businesspeople operating within the fitness industry

This episode looks at

• The importance of being true to your values
• The importance of listening to your client
• Resilience and reacting positively
• Pushing yourself outside your comfort zone
• Trying and creating at all costs

Denise worked may years with a local gym and decided to open her own fitness business when her values no longer met the employers

"Conversations need to happen about language in our industry”

From winning awards in 2019 to opening at new premises in early 2020, things were really looking bright. Denise is so honest about her journey and how the past two years has been difficult on her and the business.

Though if anything the past two years has given her permission to step outside her comfort zone and try new things. Denise has created the Resolute Candle range, a networking group for those in wellness, an online library of classes and she is running workshops and Zen hens too. Denise’s resilience is allowing her to push the boundaries of her hub of wellness.

“Everyone is welcome at Resolute”.

Denise’s is an inspiration and her journey from Corporate to Calm is a true testament to listening to your gut and making decisions that are right for you.

Please enjoy and for further information on the Corporate to Calm podcast please sign up my the newsletter where each Friday, The Friday Five will help you be where you are meant to be https://view.flodesk.com/pages/631182212812b898e99a9701

The Accidental Influencer - Sarah Slattery - The Travel Expert

“Failure is not an option”

A world class lesson in making money from your passion and never giving up.

In this episode of Corporate to Calm I speak with Sarah Slattery a.k.a www.thetravelexpert.ie

Sarah is hardworking, resilient, and courageous. She has worked as the www.thetravelexpert.ie  for the past 8 years and all her hard work has really come to fruition since the pandemic. Many in her industry simply stopped working during the pandemic, Sarah grew and flourished. Her work & keeping herself visible during Covid has led her to where she is now.

This episode looks at

• The importance of pivoting in adverse times
• The importance of staying honest & true to her message
• How hard work pays off
• Failure is not an option
• Push yourself outside the comfort zone

Sarah worked as a travel agent for 25 years, most of them spent with Sky Tours where she was eventually a director. The workload & recession in the industry led a feeling of burn out and a decision to move from her corporate role.

"It’s lovely to design your own day”

However, like most of us Sarah missed the connection of colleagues, that’s the trade-off going out on your own. The amount of work Sarah put in initially and still does is immense.

“I knew it could be big, if I put in the right time & effort!”

Sarah has grown her mailing list, her website traffic, and her Instagram and this has resulted in a career that she loves. Sarah’s gut has helped her journey and makes it her mission to step outside her comfort zone.

“When your back is to the wall, you push yourself”.

Sarah is an inspiration and real true story of setting your mind to something and working extremely hard to achieve it. Her journey from Corporate to Calm is a true story of success.

Please enjoy and for further information on the Corporate to Calm podcast please sign up my the newsletter where each Friday, The Friday Five will help you be where you are meant to be https://view.flodesk.com/pages/631182212812b898e99a9701

 

Plastic Surgery gave me Joy - Orla Goldrick

"As Mammies we spend our time running after everyone and we just lose ourselves, do I really want to look in the mirror and hate my body?”

In this episode of Corporate to Calm I speak with Orla Goldrick @my_tricky_life

(Orla has changed her handle since the recording to better suit her journey)

Orla is simply a legend. Her mindset transformation over the past few years has been life changing. Five years ago, she decided she was moving careers and did. Last November she decided she was going to lose 50 pounds and last January she decided she was going to have plastic surgery and she did.

This episode looks at

• The importance of education on your CV
• The importance of goal setting
• Pivoting for your family
• Celebrates the joy of achieving

Orla worked in Eddie Rockets for 17 years quickly ascending to management. Five years ago, she decided to change careers due to unsociable hours and a young family. Little did she know that finding that new career would be so difficult. This is when she decided to go back and further her education.

“I made the decision to study, unless you have a degree or have been to college, businesses don’t care”

Will plastic surgery make you happy? According to Orla, YES, yes it will 100%. After careful consideration Orla opted for a tummy tuck and breast lift. Honestly if you are looking for a step-by-step guide to aftercare after surgery, you won’t find a better place than Orla’s account. Orla went to the Ekol Hospital in Turkey, and you’ll understand her reason for travelling when you listen to the episode.

“If you don’t look after yourself after surgery, if you present yourself at an Irish hospital with an infection, they do not care about the aesthetics, they will treat that infection and may completely overturn your surgery, you need to look after yourself”

This is a must listen episode if you are a thinking of moving careers or investigating the possibility of plastic surgery.

It is a little break from the norm and I hope you enjoy Orla’s journey from Corporate to Calm.

The Science of Powerpoint and the Benefit of Networking - Fiona Walsh

 

"I help businesses present themselves better"

In this episode of Corporate to Calm I speak with Fiona Walsh from Imagine Coaching.

www.imaginecoaching.ie

Fiona’s journey is brilliant. From failing her A levels, to years in a successful corporate position to discovering her love of coaching and eventually opening a business which evolved into teaching Powerpoint.

This episode

• Celebrates the joy of Networking
• The importance of multitasking
• Pivoting under pressure
• Finding your Niche

Fiona moved to Ireland in 1999 after her then employer told her she may be suited to another role when she asked him for more work.

“I am a lifelong leaner”

Fiona worked for Oriflame cosmetics for 15 years and within that time as opportunity arose, she moved from her position in the lab to IT manager. After receiving redundancy, she relocated to Cork where she settled into life as a Mum. A few years on and the need for a challenge and adult company beckoned, Fiona returned to the workplace and was there she discovered her love of coaching.

“Understand the Power of Networking”

Fiona wants to help people, bring people together. Her actual business of teaching people Powerpoint happened by chance when she discovered clients were asking her Microsoft related questions once they realised her background. She pivoted and opened her business, Imagine Coaching during the pandemic and hasn’t looked back.

Fiona has launched a YouTube channel, you can subscribe by clicking the link below.

Imagine Coaching - YouTube

This is a must listen episode if you are a solopreneur working from home and wondering where you can find your community.

I hope you enjoy Fiona’s journey from Corporate to Calm.

 

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Improvising your Imposter - Lisa Haisha

In this episode of Corporate to Calm I speak with Lisa Haisha from Soul Blazing.

Lisa is a former actor, a movie producer, a screenwriter, a coach, a key-note speaker and so much more. Lisa learned at a young age through a traumatic experience at a young age, not to judge a book by its cover.

Her resilience in Hollywood is to be admired both saying no and not taking no for answer.

Lisa has travelled the world and brought her Soul Blazing experience to a global audience using her experience as an actor to teach clients to “step into their power” Lisa’s focus is teaching is Imposter Syndrome and how to work on your imposters every day. She wants to teach people to be rich and happy If you are looking for inspiration, you will find it here.

Lisa offers priceless advice with regards widening your audience, asking for help, and using outside the box resources. Check out Lisa’s website here https://www.soulblazing.com/

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Triggering or Tasty - Saifa Kajani - The Drunken Cookie

“You need to make mistakes in order to progress, so no I wouldn’t change anything”

In this episode of Corporate to Calm I speak with Saifa Kajani. Saifa is unreal, an absolute powerhouse in her mid20s she has founded her own company The Drunken Cookie which she formed during the pandemic, and she is going from strength to strength. Saifa is a chef, a PT and an all-round dynamo.

“Being around such decadent food all the time which trigger for me, so I asked for time off”

Listen to how heartbreak and Saifa’s ability to face her mental illness head on has led to a thriving and sought-after business. Her attitude towards moving forward and getting over negative experiences in business is refreshing.

Saifa wants to create a unique cookie experience, well multiple unique cookie experiences. She creates 6 flavours every month with big names and big flavours for example, You Tart, a vanilla & white chocolate cookie topped with a strawberry pop tart or Kinder K-Hole, white chocolate topped with hazelnut crème and a kinder bueno. Training to be PT gave her more of an understanding of how food is used to fuel the body

Saifa is a very ambitious and wants be the next big chain so obviously. She wants to be the Krispy Kreme and Rolling Donut of cookies and I have no doubt Saifa Kajani will achieve.

“I'm not just average cookies, I’m over the top cookies, decadent cookies. A cookie that will make you hate yourself after eating”

I loved every bit of Saifa Kajani’s journey from Corporate to Calm & I can’t wait to see

what happens in her future?

A Holistic Weight loss Programme? - Caraldine Nolan - Weighless Wonders

The latest episode of Corporate to Calm feature Caraldine Nolan from Weighless Wonders. Caraldine is a force of nature. A mother, an entrepreneur, a business owner, an award winner. That’s not even mentioning her charity work.

Caraldine founded Weighless Wonders last December. This is a holistic weightloss programme very different from others on the market. Weighless Wonders is both online and in person and from her experience in Weight Watchers Caraldine has created a free members area full of meditation, exercise, budgeting tips, recipes. One of the biggest things Caraldine noticed about Weight Watchers was it was purely focused on food. She talks about how she would be in the queue for class and other members would be discussing their gym or yoga and Caraldine was focused on goal as she couldn’t afford these added extras. This has led to her holistic approach. Caradline and Weighless Wonders want to provide you with all the tools for losing weight not just calorie counting.

Following a nervous breakdown Caraldine was prescribed medication that caused her to gain five stone in three months. The meds caused her to crave sugar and she admits she was simply obsessed with food. A friend suggested she join Weight Watchers and the rest as they say is history. Whatever your opinion of these weightloss groups it provided Caraldine with an outlet to meet others, share her story, have time for herself as she was a carer for her two boys and lose nearly seven stone.

Caraldine hit her weightloss target, became a WW leader. She championed online during the pandemic and was a huge asset to the organisation. Last December she found out WW was closing in Ireland and that’s when Caraldine established Weighless Wonders and this company is now going from strength to strength. Caraldine was free to implement her own ideas, she was free from the constraints of her employer, and she flew.

This is a long one bit honestly you will love Caraldine’s journey from Corporate to Calm.

 

Overcoming Self- Doubt with Consistency

Welcome to the Corporate to Calm podcast I normally interview guests who has made the leap to follow their dreams & pursue their ideal career. I chat with Entrepreneurs, Community Leaders & so much more. Whether it is opening their own business, moving with industries or moving to a new industry. In this episode I want to talk to you about a mini chapter of my journey over the past 8/9 months.

Last summer I was ready to take on the world, things were moving fast and I was in a great place. Unfortunately, last October I contracted Covid and it impacted everything. I wanted to focus in on three areas Self Doubt, Slowing Down & Consistency. Self Doubt can affect us all, Covid drove me to a very negative space and it was up to me to get me out of that space. My body was crying out for me to slow down and although I didn't think it at the time reducing my pace was the best thing that happened to me. At some stages I felt like consistency with the podcast was the only thing that was keeping me sane and how it eventually helped me overcome that self-doubt. You can keep up with me on the https://instagram.com/corporatetocalm...

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have and take a listen to one of the thirty other Corporate to Calm podcast episodes. Looking forward to the next solo instalment. L xx

Knowing your Numbers - Edel Hayes - Accelerate Accounting

"Education and confidence in your finances can make a huge difference"

In this episode of Corporate to Calm I speak with Edel Hayes from Accelerate Accounting. Edel refers to Accelerate as a boutique accounting firm for women in business. She started the business when she realised that most small business were handing their accounts to their accountant at the end of the year and had no contact with them throughout.

Edel began her career in investment banking with Citibank and travelled the world. When she came home, Edel decided to retrain and become an accountant and her focus was laser sharp. After a variety of corporate roles and after having her second child Edel decided she was going to back herself. Fortunately, she had clients straight away.

Edel was ahead of the curve creating Accelerate Accounting, pre-pandemic as a virtual practice. She was ready for the pandemic as she didn’t have that growth curve that other businesses had.

“The systems and processes keep things moving and give me time back; I will delegate whatever I can”

Edel tells her clients to sit down and go through what you need in the business, this highlights what your strengths are and where the gaps are when you need help.

“Time track once a quarter, every single time I do it, I’m shocked – be hyper aware where your time is going”

Edel has a passion for travelling and business transferability allows her to work remotely. She encourages her clients to build a business that it easy for you to step away from. Flexibility and time are her priorities above money, this her version of success.

“What does success look like to you on weekly basis?”

Edel has developed a variety of online classes from The Profit Academy and Bookkeeping for businesses and is simply growing from strength.

Edel’s advice is sound and if you are a woman in business you need to contact her now to “future proof your business”

I hope you enjoy Edel’s journey from Corporate to Calm x