- How would you describe your journey? Brief us on the inception story of your career.
My journey as a leader has been one of variety. I started my entrepreneurial journey as a Personal Trainer with my own clients and then shifted into co-owning a business training motorsport drivers. From there I became co-owner of an automotive detailing business ‘BecauseRacecarBox’ and a coffee business ‘Vitamin Coffee’. Through my success within these businesses, I was then appointed the CEO of Giving To Services within the fintech industry. My time in business has spanned just over a decade in which all of the different industries I have worked in have given me insightful lessons and have enabled me to learn transferable skills to pass into the next one.
- Enlighten us about your role in the organisation you are leading / associated with?
I am the CEO of Giving To Services a blockchain company that uses crypto for good. My job is overseeing the organisation’s direction, making decisions creatively and overseeing the logistics with our COO. I approve marketing decisions, tech delivery and communications and am responsible for the growth and scale of the company. My role varies from day to day and I always offer a hands-on approach so will get involved in all aspects of the business. It is a role that I was honoured to have been appointed and take the responsibility with pride and commitment.
- Where do you find inspiration? What motivates you to work harder?
My motivation is highly intrinsic and is deep within me at all times. I’ve never really sought out inspiration from others but motivated myself by trying to be better than I was yesterday. I apply the notion of giving 100% effort to everything I do and thus am able to keep myself inspired by my own goals.
I set large goals for myself, ones that some may call unachievable however rather than looking externally for inspiration I find this allows me to have tunnel vision and stay focused on myself, rather than what others around me are doing.
Creating a vision board and sticking it as my phone wallpaper has been really useful in visualising my goals each day. Once reached I replace the image with a new one! It also gives you a really sense of achievement when you are able to change it, knowing that they thing you were staring at day in and day out you now have!
- Kindly mention some of the notable recognitions and accreditations received by your person.
I was recently on the Forbes 30 under 30 2023 list for Finance, Europe which was a complete honour! I also won the Women In IT Award for Social Impact Project of the Year as well as being named in the Rising Women In Crypto Power List and winning Best Newcomer by Wirex.
Furthermore, I have won the ITV Chwarae Teg Womanspire Awards in the Entrepreneur Category as well as being named a Top 10 Entrepreneur to watch globally alongside Ben Francis of Gymshark and Grace Beverly of Shreddy/Tala.
- What is the one thing you wish you had known about women in your line of work before you started working?
I wish I had realised how bad the stereotyping could be within male-dominated lines of work. I also had no idea how much women were often still portrayed as ‘unintelligent’ and furthermore that we would be judged on our clothing choices and general appearance. It seems that when a woman makes a move within a business that someone may disagree with, the first thing people do is comment on appearances which I don’t believe happens with a man. Moreover, in that situation a man will be seen as a ‘risk taker’ however a woman will be seen as ‘incompetent’ and I think the narrative there needs to change.
- Do you believe it is compulsory for a woman to manage a household alongside her work?
Absolutely not. I think the dynamics of a household depend on those who live within it. I am a firm believer in breaking down the barriers of the ‘traditional’ household and do not feel that it should simply be the woman’s job to run the household. It is my belief that everyone within the household should contribute and that we shouldn’t be held to gender stereotypes for this.
We live in a time where women are sometimes the ‘breadwinners’ and their partner does more of the household management and we also live in a time where both partners take an equal role in both work and home life and I think it’s fantastic that we can do that. Whatever works for you is what is important, if as a woman you wish to manage the household solo whilst also working then that’s fantastic, however, it shouldn’t be expected based on gender.
- As a woman, what has been the highlight of your career? What are the changes you wish to make for the better in your professional life post-pandemic?
I think my career highlight has to be getting on the Forbes 30 under 30 list. It was a goal of mine for many years and so to achieve it really feels like an accomplishment. I also feel that being a woman within the Finance category on the Forbes list is a great achievement as the Finance industry is still heavily male-dominated. I hope it encourages other women to have the Forbes list as their goal too!
I think the biggest change I wish to make post-pandemic is with my networking. Covid-19 meant that face-to-face communication stopped and now that we are able to meet again I still feel like this is minimal as we are so used to zoom! I would like to get myself back out to events and meeting face-to-face as much as possible over the next year to ensure that I build on connections and of course keep my confidence for such things high
- Brief us on the changes the pandemic brought to your sector and your market. Has the work-culture altered?
I wouldn’t really say that there have been any changes as such due to the fact that the blockchain industry is all online already. Perhaps the event side of things was hindered however these are starting up again and actually a lot more events are now doing a hybrid attendance with in-person and online which makes it more inclusive!
Personally, the work culture I don’t feel has altered as we are all remote workers however, I can imagine for those that work in offices, the pandemic would have made things much harder for day-to-day communications!
- What words of wisdom/ inspiration/ advice would you offer to the next generation of female leaders?
To be fierce always, to not second guess yourself, to never feel inferior to a man just because they are a man, to stand up for yourself regardless of the situation and to be yourself. It’s easy to feel like you need to ‘change’, wear a certain outfit or feel expected to be a certain way based on the pre-conceived notions we are accustomed to from years of male leaders, but in reality, you were put in the leadership position for being you, so embrace it. We need more leaders that stand out from the pack and that lead with conviction!
Finally, I would say do not be afraid to ask for help from anyone. There is no shame in not knowing something and by asking we can gain knowledge. Knowledge is power in any industry and it is vital that we make decisions with underpinning knowledge where possible!
