What would you say to your younger self? With She Who

Daniel Bevan - Editor

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Joining us on the latest episode of the Businessin Wales Podcast, sponsored by Sinclair Group, was five of the founding members female empowerment community She Who UK.

Co-founded by women in leadership roles, the group speak about what She Who means to them, as well as their International Women’s Day event, allyship and momentum.

As with all editions of the show, Daniel concluded by asking each of the guests what advice they would give to their younger self. Here’s what they said:

Hannah Williams – CEO, Alacrity Foundation

I’d reach out to people sooner and not be afraid to do that because it can be quite daunting, but actually people just want to help people if you’re in that space.

That could be anything from business advice, career advice, progression, or just if you’ve got some issues to offload.

And generally people will help, especially in Wales, it’s such a lovely community for work and living.

I’d reach out a lot younger and I’d move a lot quicker.

Ceri gave me my first speaking opportunity for ACCA, and without that, I wouldn’t be where I am now.

Ceri probably didn’t even think it was an opportunity at the time. I must have prepped for it for weeks.

And just go on gut, I think that’s what I’d tell my younger self — just go on gut.

Ceri Maund

I think for me, it’s about being prepared to take a risk. I think we do doubt ourselves all the way through life and hold ourselves back because we’re a little scared about taking that risk.

That kind of “what if it goes wrong?” — when I was younger, I wish I’d taken a little bit more risk sooner.

[Also] knowing that people actually want you to succeed. Normally, most people are not there to bring you down, they are there to lift you up.

So, making sure you’ve got the people that are there to lift you up, then you’re more confident to take that risk and kind of push yourself a little bit out of your comfort zone.

That’s what I encourage my children to do. I’ve never held them back in any way, shape or form. I have always pushed them forward.

Gemma Barnett – Business Development & Marketing Director, Redkite Solicitors

You hear about imposter syndrome being spoken about a lot. I definitely suffered with massive confidence issues, and I think that community and who you surround yourself with is huge.

It’s who you can reach out to and people who can give you a little push and to just say: “You’ve got this”, is massively important.

My mentor said to me, “Just do it. You’re going to regret it if you don’t, and we’ll always regret the things that we don’t do. So, you might as well just do it and learn from it, back yourself, be bold and just give it a go.”

I would love to go back to my younger self and just say: “What is the worst that can happen?”

Community and having those people to give you that push, and every single one of the She Who team has done that for each other at some point.

Sarah Jones – CEO, FinTech Wales

I always used to be such a perfectionist, but I’ve learned that done is better than perfect.

It goes with the: “I don’t think I can do that because I can’t do it to my standard.” It’s like, “no, you can, and just go for it.”

Another thing I really pride myself on is that being nice is not a weakness. I tell lots of people that.

Lauren Thomas – Head of Brand, Marketing, Comms & Recruitment, Alacrity Foundation

I think mine would be to enjoy the process of becoming.

I put so much pressure on myself to constantly be amazing at something or the best at something, and it’s great to have role models and I look up to all these ladies around me.

I really wish I was there now but I’ve got so much time. I’m learning, I’m working on it now to enjoy that process of being uncomfortable and not being as good at something as I want to be, because if I’m constantly in that mindset of “I need to be the best and I want to get there now and fast”, then I’m never going to be fulfilled.

So, for me, it’s just enjoying that process of becoming 1% better every day in order to constantly feel fulfilled, enjoy growing, and enjoy feeling uncomfortable.

And also, be a good person because good people like good people.