Last week was completely BONKERS! We hosted the SEVENTH Kent Women in Business Awards to a packed out room full of some of the biggest characters in Kent. Firstly I can’t believe it’s seven years and secondly, I can’t believe I sang ‘A Million Dreams’ from the Greatest Showman in the opening.
Maybe this is where I should add that I am NOT a singer and I have NEVER been so scared to be on stage in my LIFE! When I stand on that stage I am in front of award winning business women, women who have pushed themselves through their own boundaries to be there. So I decided I would do the same. Well, I can hardly present myself with an award now can I?
I decided to find a professional to work with, to whom I would be ‘slightly’ accountable and who would help me to get to a point that I wouldn’t sound like sober Karaoke singer in front of all those people. Enter Michele into the equation. An amazing singer I connected with on Social Media, stalked for a while and showed a VERY vulnerable side of myself when I freaked out about two weeks before the event.
In the days that followed my ‘diva’ breakdown I realised just HOW MUCH this whole process and result meant to me. I’ve achieved some amazing things in my life/career but this was the FIRST time I remember something actually making me ache with fear when I considered it might not work out so well.
Working with Michele was like working with a coach/mentor or consultant to help get to where I wanted to be. It reminded me just how important working with others is and just how much I was MOTIVATED by the accountability aspect of not wanting to let either of us down.
Being in business throws many challenges at us and I truly believe it’s how we face and deal with them that defines us. I won’t pretend that the actual performance was flawless, but it was a true testament to the work I had put in. I found it difficult to watch back but when I did, I felt proud! Just as those women in the room are proud of the fact they made the finalist list for what is THE BIGGEST celebration of Women in Business in Kent.
Now that the dust is settling on the awards it’s time for me to embark on a new chapter of my own professional life. (no not a singing career) For the last few years I have been getting more and more involved in food and events. Food creation and product development have opened up doors I didn’t have a clue I wanted to skip so eagerly through in the past.
It’s being able to be part of events such as the Kent Women in Business Awards that motivates me to get off my arse and not settle for mediocre….
