Starting from Zero
In 2009, I was diagnosed with burnout which led me to leave my 30-year corporate career. At that point I had no idea what to do next, I couldn't return to employed work, I was in debt and I was tired!
In 2010 as the road to recovery started, I was inspired to help others through a similar journey, I studied for a coaching diploma and set up my own business, Awaken.
In my talk, I share my story with passion, honesty, laughter and determination as I take you through how you, yourself can indeed start a business with nothing, no contacts and no funding yet build it with faith, belief and determination!
In 2025 following fifteen years as the owner of a successful business Awaken, I have retired it (other than Awaken Events) to concentrate on helping others through myspeaking and writing career.
Outcomes:
By the end of the talk, participants will:
Gain clarity and confidence about starting and growing a business, even with limited resources.
Understand how to navigate uncertainty with practical tools and proven strategies.
Strengthen their ability to handle setbacks and failures without losing momentum.
Develop an awareness of the link between mental health, resilience, and entrepreneurial success.
Walk away with a renewed sense of motivation, self-belief, and perseverance for their entrepreneurial journey.
Key Learnings:
Starting from zero doesn’t mean staying there, resourcefulness, mindset, and consistency can fuel progress.
Failure is not the opposite of success but part of the process, each missed step offers valuable data for growth.
Mental health is a business asset, maintaining wellbeing is crucial for long-term sustainability.
Opportunities are everywhere but success comes from evaluating and acting on the right ones.
Perseverance and grit matter more than perfect conditions, resilience keeps businesses alive during tough seasons.
Scaling from the bottom up is possible, practical approaches exist for bootstrapping and leveraging small wins.
Takeaways:
Attendees will leave with:
A practical toolkit of strategies for starting, sustaining, and scaling a venture.
A reframed view of failure as a teacher, not a dead-end.
A commitment to self-care as a non-negotiable element of business success.
Increased confidence and clarity on their next steps as entrepreneurs.
A sense of community and encouragement that they are not alone in the journey
On booking this talk, your audience will receive a 'free' e-book – ‘Stop the Stress and Grow your Business’
