Winning Marie Claire award…
A few months ago I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the UK’s 16 most exciting young female entrepreneurs, and awarded a place on glossy magazine Marie Claire’s groundbreaking Inspire & Mentor programme. Brainchild of Marie Claire UK’s editor Trish Halpin, the programme pairs participants with some of Britain’s most successful and influential businesswomen, including interior designer Kelly Hoppen, founder of ethical clothing company People Tree Safia Minney, and fragrance guru Jo Malone.
It felt like all my Christmasses had come at once when I was paired up with an incredible mentor - Kanya King, founder of the MOBO Awards. Kanya has been helping me strategise for my new business, and has been an incredible voice of support and constructive challenge.
(image courtesy of MOBO)
I met with Kanya for another session in London yesterday, and it made me realise the importance and value of having a mentor who has been there, done it, and come through shining. They can help you see the bigger picture, share industry knowledge, steer you away from or around obstacles, inject fresh ideas, give you a totally different perspective, and also, perhaps most importantly, remind you that you really are making great progress.
I came away from yesterday’s session energised and inspired. Thank you Kanya, thank you Marie Claire.
Everyone needs a mentor – have you found yours yet?
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I am so inspired by this post. I had a mini “aha” moment in fact. I have always been the mentor…teaching sometimes is like that. So, really I have not had a mentor of my own. And I think you are right that we need one. I am going to start thinking about this more. Add to a list. And hopefully I will find myself a mentor!
Thanks for the insight this morning!
xxoo
Lorrie
This is so great Beth, excited to hear more. I totally agree, having a mentor that really IS a mentor is so important, inspiring and of course offering a great level of support. I absolutely plan on having one this year. AND I am going for it – the IPEC Coaching certificate! yay, having a mentor is part of the program so am taking the leap myself. Xx
Louise that is awesome news! So excited for you, and very interested to hear about what you learn. You will be a fantastic coach.
And Lorrie – such an interesting perspective. I hope you find yourself an inspiring mentor!
Congratulations! That is WONDERFUL!
Congratulations Beth! Well done!
[...] (June 2011 edition) and find myself featured on page 151 as part of a four-page special on the Inspire & Mentor campaign which paired some of Britain’s ‘most exciting young female entrepreneurs’ with [...]
[...] interview with visual artist, designer and filmmaker Madeleine Casey, a fellow participant in the Marie Claire Inspire & Mentor campaign last year, who won a mentorship from interior design guru Kelly Hoppen. Madeleine was born in [...]