I began my
career in sales and management, working for a dynamic, global company. Completely
thrown in at the deep end, surrounded by loud, outgoing people… I had to put myself
out there, so I created a positive mindset to boost my self-confidence and just
went for it…

I rapidly
moved into management, which included marketing where I studied 12 diplomas and
a major CIM qualification alongside an MBA to ensure that I was at the top of my
game in strategic marketing.

I now have
over 15 years’ experience as a successful Sales & Marketing Manager at
board level for global corporations - having worked alongside the likes of
Boots, Siemens and Specsavers.

I had
several management roles but whenever I felt confined by my environment I found
I was unhappy, really deeply unhappy yet I couldn’t understood why as I loved my
job.  It was only when I realised I wasn’t a ‘sit still all day kind of girl’
– everything changed and I found the strength to create a career that suited me
personality thanks to undertaking an intensive 6 week ‘Insight Profiling’
training on a renowned programme in Switzerland.

All of a
sudden it all seemed so simple when I realised I like to come and go as I
please and for my environment to change constantly, I detest routine with a
passion and like to have multiple things on the go all of the time.

Once I
recognised this and started to maximise exactly what I personally need to be at
my best I was so much more successful and happier, however at the time I was
thinking how the hell am I meant to go from a great salary, car and bonus to
£0; that’s not going to happen! I then realised that the only thing holding me
back was me, the alternative to not setting up on my own was being trapped by a
job description that I was confined by. Things had to change - so I took the
leap and jumped.

I finally launched
full time into my business after being promised a Director role, however upon
the business being bought, I decided to seize the moment to create this business
I’d been thinking about for some time.

When I first decided to become self-employed, I remember
feeling the stress of the unknown but closely linked to that was how would I
find other like-minded humans. In an office or team environment, there is
always someone else to discuss ideas with and you have a common goal. But, in
self employment, your goal is often your own and it can feel quite isolating. I
decided this would be a big part of the switch that would be an issue for me, I
wanted to be around people who had already been through everything I was about
to embark on. What could I learn? What could I offer them? Where would I meet
these people?

This wasn’t an exercise in cognitive dissonance, it was a
basic human, functional need to share with others as I always had done in my
career. I visited every networking group possible and pulled on old colleagues
and friends. I found an increasing need for a parallel person or someone who
totally understood where I was at with my beliefs, career and vision. The
networking groups were helpful but mostly showed me what I didn’t want to be
like, the set up was far too regular and stayed for me, someone who loves
freedom, spontaneity and variety.

Enter the online space. Wow. The digital era literally
changed the pathway my business relationships took. I watched webinars and
lives and explored groups and avenues for business development. I found that
some of the more career driven female business groups had the most to offer.
Usually, I avoid things like this; I’m no misogynist by a long shot but I don’t
think it should matter if you are male of female if you have something to offer
but there was definitely a connection here with the women I was observing.
Every transformational influence in my career prior to this point had been male,
strong and authoritative.

From the
outset of going self-employed, I had this team of cheerleading females around
me and I was hitting capacity for my business within just 6 weeks of starting!

I made friends and connections, some of whom I have never
worked directly with but who still influence my direction through theirs. I
have some extremely close friends from this approach now and can’t imagine my
life without them.

The thing was, this connection was yes, we were all female
but we were also all after the same thing. Success.

I found that there were no roadblocks (seen daily in
negative attitudes of ex-colleagues) and a positive attitude to EVERY solution.
We all lifted each other up and screamed along on the up and down
rollercoaster, together. Whether it was a business coach, a photographer or a
woman owning multiple businesses, the female networks I created online changed
the way my business grew and will continue to influence my life forever.

I am now a
multi award-winning Marketing Mastermind for SMEs providing small business
owners with strategies and marketing mentoring to create competitive advantage
and stabilise future growth.  I am often
referred to as a ‘business sniper’, as I take away unwanted areas of the
business that are zapping clients’ energy and profitability so they can evolve
faster, with better ROI, and less stress and confusion.

I am also
an author of my own step by step marketing guide for others starting out in
business, and I am on a mission to ensure small businesses have access to the
same expertise and direction as large corporates and focused on supporting
small business owner in having a strategic marketing plan, in a bid to help
reduce the number of businesses that fail before hitting the 5 year mark.

Collaborating
with this group of other empowered female entrepreneurs on an International
Women’s Day book - The Woman I’m Becoming’, meant that I became a best-selling
author, offering hindsight and advice to guide the futures of young girls
through her chapter ‘You are you and that is your superpower’.

I have also
recently being asked to be a CIM mentor and part of the Welsh Government
Accelerated Growth Programme helping businesses grow through their marketing
efforts with stability as well as being a STEM ambassador, flying the flag for
women in male dominated sectors. I am passionate about mentoring others and
loves the impact I can make, especially when working with young girls
struggling with confidence in a male dominated sector, supporting them to make
their mark.

Working in
both public and private sector businesses, B2B & B2C, on a local and global
scale, my relentless attitude to building businesses, alongside my network of
other successful females alongside my indestructible foundations and structures
for growth longer term has ensured I am now known as one of the best in the
business.

For
more information please visit:

https://www.gemmaangharad.com/

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