My TEDx Talk - "Strength in Numbers"

Every few months I log into this platform and it makes me feel a bit sad/nostalgic for how I used to spend so much time here. It was the epicentre of events, conferences, etc. I met some great people here, and now my feed is just tumbleweed and junk.

Excited to be stepping back onto the red dot later this year!

YOLO

This week, @Skype is being switched off. Skype didn't just change how we talked, it changed how we loved. It was an icon of its time. A lifeline for long-distance relationships, cross-Atlantic meetings, and uni students calling home. I remember nights where couples would fall

I feel a pang of protectiveness towards my younger self. Did we all do it? Are we still doing it?

I hadn’t thought about that moment for years, until last week when a young lady was asking me about my journey raising investment as a female. Did I feel like I belonged in the room? Had I ever changed my behaviour to fit in?

Meanwhile, I built companies. Raised investment. Won million-pound contracts. All whilst wearing black. The truth is, it took me years to build up the confidence to just… be myself. A natural part of growing up? Maybe. Worse for women? Definitely.

For years after, I didn’t wear the pink blazer to anywhere I wanted to be taken seriously. I was made to think that professionalism has a uniform. That credibility comes in navy, grey, or black. My outfit, my natural hair colour… just fun talking points.

I was 21. I smiled awkwardly and sat down, but inside I was mortified. I was still young enough to think it didn’t matter what I wore, but not old enough to have learned these average white men’s opinions were irrelevant.

I walked into a meeting once wearing a pink blazer. A man smirked and said, “Oh look, it’s Business Barbie.”

Watch it here on YouTube: https://t.co/V93ShQW5BY Or find it wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Did you know my investors once tried to shut me down on Christmas Eve, with no warning? My podcast episode with @StephMelodia is out now 🔥

NYD 2025 - Cairngorms, Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Man, this platform is a weird place these days

Don't give up. Instead, choose to stop. If it no longer serves you; let it go.

Being wise enough to let go of something is empowering, proactive, and brave. And knowing when to do it is a superpower. The magic thing is; it applies to so much. Toxic relationships. Unfulfilling jobs. Hobbies that no longer bring you joy. Failing businesses. Lousy friends.

It's advice that's gone on to serve me in a lot of ways. "Giving up" feels negative, defeating; a failure to persevere. Actively making the choice to "let go" of something because it no longer serves you, is completely different.

Many years ago, when I was desperately trying to make a failing relationship work, someone said to me; "One of the hardest things in life to learn is the difference between giving up and letting go."

If anyone needs me, I'll just be trying to find a photo in my album after the new iOS update.

"I'm going to assume from your lack of response that you're not interested" Yes, that is indeed the correct assumption to make re: the 5+ cold emails you've sent me about something I neither want nor need.