Wonderful Women Interview with Leadership & Business Coach Helen Packham

As a Leadership and Business Coach, Helen uses her background in corporate leadership development and two successful online startups to help women really make their mark in business.

She does this by helping them to stand out as leaders in their niche, build a following of loyal followers and customers, and share the bigger message behind their business. Helen is also passionate about supporting organisations to retain female talent after having children.

She has been featured in Raspberry Magazine, Huffington Post, and has spoken at a TEDx event. Helen believes that all women in business have a TED worthy talk inside them, and have what it takes to really make their own dent in the universe.

 

Describe a typical day for you?

I am woken by my rambunctious toddler anywhere between 4.30-5.45am. I used to try and stay in bed as long as possible before getting him up but now I just start the day! It’s then an early morning social check in, breakfast for everyone, shower, teeth, hair, a flurry of clothes and off to take my daughter to school. If I’m working, then my son will go off to nursery too (He is in 2 mornings and 1 full day a week). Then it’s either straight into client coaching calls, or holding a free training session via Facebook live in my community of 800 women (The Courageous Leaders Club). When I’m not speaking to current or prospective clients, I’m planning out my content for more training sessions or the launch of my next programme.

At 2.45 my son and I walk to the local school to pick up my daughter. Between 3-5 I try to stop them pulling each others hair out by going to the park, chucking them on the trampoline or playing ‘bears in a den’ which involves me being jumped on for about 30 minutes! Then I give them a quiet activity (or Peppa Pig) whilst I cook dinner for everyone. They are both in bed by 7pm. Evenings are spent either working (2 nights a week) reading (I’m a book fiend) or watching the latest box set on Netflix with my husband (my escape.) I crash about 9.45pm in order to try and get enough zzz in before my son wakes.

 

What do you feel are your biggest achievements?

After having my kids, I went through a long period of time with no sense of who I was. This led to me losing all confidence, becoming very unhappy and anxious and not knowing what I was good at or loved in life. When I realised that my confidence had always been in there, I set myself some big scary goals to reclaim my love for life AND utilise my business skills. In just over a year, I have built a business where I am helping women all over the world, I have a highly engaged community of loyal followers and happy clients, and I am doing what I love every single day.

My biggest achievement was to set myself the goal of sharing my story on the TED stage. In October 2016 that dream came true. Now my business and following is steadily growing and I am able to reach more women with my message and mission. My most successful programme to date has involved helping women to become Stand Out Speakers. For this I drew on my years of corporate experience coaching leaders to make an impact through talks and presentations, and my own experience of taking to the stage as a speaker. Here is my TEDx talk.

 

What’s in your handbag/ satchel?

There were times in my twenties where you’d find a yoghurty spoon in my bag, but thankfully since becoming a parent I am slightly more hygienic! It’s still a mess though. Currently I have a bunch of old receipts, 3 of my husband’s pens, a crushed up bag of Pom Bear, polos, lip gloss, my wallet, and some business cards belonging to some fabulous ladies I met at a recent live event. There is also a child’s plastic phone and one of those bendy stress relieving things (a great distraction for my son if we get stuck anywhere.)

 

What are your ambitions in life?

I’m on a mission to help women all over the world unlock their confidence and really make their mark in business. Part of my mission involves helping employers to support the emotional impact on parents when returning to work and ways they can retain their talented female employees. I’m also taking strides to elevate the credibly and visibility of women who have their own business. I am planning to write a book and am continuing to scale my business with different ways that people can work with me. I’m also currently sketching out the details for my first live event!

 

What do you wish you’d known at the start of your career you now know?

That there are bumps in the road but that doesn’t mean you have to lose anything, including knowledge, skills and experience. That you can have a fulfilling career and be a decent parent. You just have to find the way it works for you.

 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

I’m so excited for the future. In 5 years I will be making a bigger impact with my mission. My book will have been released and I will be meeting and helping more women with events and programmes and giving back in a big way. I will be experiencing more of the world with my children and husband, but will still be in the same house in the same lovely seaside village that I am now.

 

What advice would you give a budding Leadership & Business Coach

1. Failure and mistakes are part of the journey. There is always a reason for a setback and it will make you more strong and resilient further down the line.
2. Seek support wherever and whenever you can. I wouldn’t have reached the level I have in this business without it. That includes free support from friends, biz besties and family, to paid support from top coaches and mentors.
3. Have patience. It does take time. Stay in your lane, don’t worry about what everyone else is doing and focus on one thing at a time. Keep going and you WILL get there.

 

What do you wish you’d known about motherhood before having kids?

I would have been a lot more kind to myself. I thought I could predict how motherhood would be but nothing could have ever prepared me for it. Being more relaxed about the outcomes and going with the flow may have lessened the blows and challenges I experienced with my kiddies (they both had various health issues which made sleep very scarce and routines completely unpredictable.)

 

Finally, happiness is…

Eating ice cream in the sunshine on the beach 5 minutes from my home. Being with my husband and kids and belly-laughing with friends over Prosecco. Making a difference in others’ lives.

 

Helen’s website: www.helenpackham.com