Last year I was inspired by a number of people, a great deal of them women.
Most of these ladies are now part of my Linkedin network and I listen to their words of wisdom, share their humour and watch their progress with interest and admiration.
Some time ago I announced that I was going to set up Vesta (named after the Roman Goddess of the Hearth). This was a choice I made given that within a hearth as a fire burns or smoulders, we see sparks.
Vesta also symbolises family values and she keeps everyone warm.
My idea was to create a mentoring service for women by women – not as a feminist protest, more a peer to peer support and encouragement service, lending a guiding hand or encouragement to those on the start of their careers.
Like everyone in my network, I have a busy day job and enjoy that immensely. But I can always find time to provide encouragement and support to overcome some of the challenges an individual may face in starting up or running her business, or in just listening and working through ideas.
I have spoken to some of you but now I think it is time for me to encourage all ladies in my network to do the same.
If we each make a resolution to help one woman in business, imagine what a difference that could make!
This is not meant to be positive gender discrimination, it is just that I, for one, would have welcomed a woman’s input some years ago when it was tough. A woman would have understood some of the challenges that I was facing. Equally there may be a need for a mentoring service by men for men – something for someone else to create perhaps?
For those fantastic ladies who feel that they could do this, please let me know, we can keep a register of those who pledge to do this and equally, those that are looking for mentors. We can also look to arranging a workshop/conference/meeting (Vesta time) to celebrate our commitment and success. If you would like to sign up to this please contact me here. For those that need a mentor and would like to be matched with one of those fabulous ladies who inspired me back in 2017 please do the same. And if you want to do this without letting us know then I wish you the very best for you and whoever you inspire!