Be inspired
“Business for good is good for business.”
Fran Boorman
Founder and Non-exec
Goal17 Mentoring Development Solutions, Wowment App, Social Value UK
“Embrace being comfortable with feeling uncomfortable.
…it’s in those moments where you are most uncomfortable, when the biggest growth is occurring and self-belief develops.
One learning as I have matured is that it’s okay to go at your own pace and to run your own race. The way you show up in the world is not just about what you do, it’s about the passion and the way you do it. To be high performing, you do have to look after yourself, your health and well-being, and surround yourself with other people who appreciate that. Being outdoors helps…..
me to find the space to daydream and it’s super important for reconnecting with ‘me’.
Our limits are often set by what we know or what we can see. So go out and find the people with higher limits, it raises your belief in what’s possible, whether it’s books, podcasts, people you get to know. We are all human.”
Fran Boorman is an award-winning business leader, having built and exited a multi-million-pound turnover business while bringing up two young children. Subsequently, Fran launched ground-breaking Goal 17, a mentor training company known for innovative social impact programs. She was voted the UK’s number 1 female business influencer by Global Woman and is featured in Forbes and on the BBC.
Her businesses now partner with some of the biggest global sporting brands, including premier league football clubs and premiership rugby clubs. In addition, she is a non-executive director of several high growth businesses and is currently creating an exciting new technology platform to bring millions of people together in meaningful mentoring partnerships to improve equality.
www.goal17.global
www.wowment.app
“No one showed me I could be a CEO”
Briege Leahy
Former CEO, Strategic Adviser and Mentor
Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce
“Women have stopped accepting second best…
…it’s our role to help women feel worthy of being part of the business community. I think the fact that we have a female CEO with a more female board says a lot. What the chamber does is make connections and instil confidence in those women who’ve had a break from the workplace.
The opportunity came out of the blue. I was not expecting to step into such a prestigious role for the county. I’m one of 53 other Chamber CEOs across the UK. It is a real privilege to serve the county and British Chambers of Commerce, and our businesses and community in Herts.
My biggest achievement with Herts Chamber of Commerce is engaging the whole of the UK and reaching over 1,000 members. Also, I was recently presented with an award for my outstanding achievements to the Chamber, Hertfordshire, and the community.
My parents were always telling us to strive, get an education and get out to work. I was 12 when I got my first job in a sandwich bar. I started at 6am, making rolls and selling them until 2pm.
I think women are all-rounders. Most of them have children and tend to be able to juggle more than one thing, and the resilience, I think, just comes from that nurturing nature. Irrespective of knockbacks, women get back up and keep going. A knockback is seen as a learning opportunity.
Honesty and integrity make a good leader, whether you’re male or female. When you need to be firm, you must go with your conviction. Strength can be in silence – it’s about listening, evaluating and then making your decision.”
Having been appointed as the Hertfordshire Chamber’s Chief Executive in March 2019, Briege’s expertise spans across all areas of businesses with her extensive knowledge. She has been committed to increasing opportunities for members and ensuring their needs are being met. Briege spearheads an exciting period of investment and transformation at the Chamber and is keen on delivering a strong business influence on the growth of the Hertfordshire community.
“Make a permanent impact with positive spirit and intent”
Queena Wong
Founder
Curious Vines
“It’s energising and powerful…
…and role models how to use your connections to help other women thrive, demonstrating how to take control and create your own space. Inspiring a new ethos of working together and a culture of opening doors rather of closing them, is moving women into the 21st century – in visibility and strength, as together we are pushing to reshape one of the oldest industries of the UK.
It is invigorating for me and for the people around me to make working life in wine feel more supported for women. Historically they have had to lean into gender biased environments.
The community I have built is now providing a stage to showcase incredible women and a platform to elevate not only ourselves but each other, as they are brought together to create business synergies and new support networks. It is incredibly uplifting to feel the power arise from the heart of Curious Vines.”
Queena is a trailblazing female collector, renowned for championing diversity in wine, supporting and connecting women in both industry and collector spheres under her Curious Vines umbrella. She has pioneered Support Awards, assisting women to achieve their wine qualifications. Queena is creating new worlds in wine fostering more accessible, inclusive and balanced environments and is No. 2 in Drinks Retailing’s 100 Most Influential People in Drinks and also Connector of the Year in CODE Hospitality’s Women of the Year 2023 awards for her work.
“Always keep in mind the 3 Ps – passion, persistence, patience”
Gracie Tyrell
Co-founder and Director
Squirrel Sisters
“Running a business can look very glamorous and exciting from the outside…
…and of course it can be at times. But it takes a serious amount of hard work, dedication and belief. The highs and lows can be exhausting and demoralising, but the reward can be even greater if you can just push through those tougher times and believe in what you’re doing.
Being truly passionate is crucial; you have to be passionate about whatever it is that you are doing because if you don’t have the passion and the belief then it won’t work.
There will be so many challenging moments – there have been plenty of times where I’ve felt like giving up, but my passion for what I’m doing has kept me going and pushed me through those tough times.
It’s all about passion, persistence and patience. You need passion to keep going, persistence to make it happen and patience because it doesn’t happen overnight… it takes time so stick with it.”
Gracie is the co-founder and director of Squirrel Sisters, which is an award-winning no added sugar brand with a range of delicious snacks that are also vegan and gluten-free. She started the business in 2015 with her sister and her products can now be found in stores across the UK like Boots and Holland & Barrett.
“You can’t give everyone around you 100% when you’re not 100%”
Nina Finlay
Managing Director
Brass Monkey Shop, Finlay Engineering
“I’ve been in a male dominated industry for over 23 years…
…and I’ve never seen myself any differently from my male counterparts. I truly believe that whoever is right for the job, is right for the job no matter what gender. I’m a firm believer in always being yourself and being honest and I believe that is the key to becoming successful.
It hasn’t been the easiest path to take and there were times that I wanted to give up but what keeps me powering on is a drive to fulfil the promises I made to myself as a young adult and the satisfaction I get from achieving my goals.
Your mind can be your best friend or your own worst enemy – realising that and taking time out to reconnect with myself when it’s needed most is what drove me to become a Wim Hof Method Instructor.”
For the past 12 years Nina has had her own Engineering Consultancy and is a Contractors Responsible Engineer within the Rail Industry for multiple Engineering firms. She became an advocate of the Wim Hof Method In 2019 after attending a summer expedition with Wim Hof himself and is now the only Wim Hof Method Certified Instructor in Liverpool.
“You can ultimately take something positive from every experience”
Rebecca Price
Strategy partner, founder and co-owner
Frank Bright & Abel
“People only tell you about their successes…
…but everyone faces challenges. Looking back on those I’ve faced, I can honestly say I’ve taken something positive from every single one of them. How do I ‘power on’? I take time to savour and celebrate the successes – and reflect. You often learn more about why you succeed, than why you fail.
When times are tough, I just keep moving – trying new things or keeping faith in the chosen path, until the tide turns. Life’s too short to give up. While I’m experienced and confident in my knowledge, I never assume I’ve got all the answers.
The creative sector is about the new and the different. And I never stop dreaming. Success comes to those who say ‘why not?’.”
Rebecca established creative communications consultancy Frank Bright & Abel 10 years ago. This followed a corporate career and then many years delivering success as a consultant in other creative consultancies. With a team and an office in London, her clients are leading business-to-business companies across the world, for whom the consultancy develops and maintains their brands, employer brands and marketing.