The gift of inspiration

The theme for this year’s Chamber Christmas Supper was ‘Gifts from the Past; Inspiration for the Year Ahead’. 

The event marked the end of another successful year and left us all with gifts of inspiration to carry us into 2013.

Everyone was in the Christmas spirit and, as always, it was a fantastic opportunity to catch up and share ideas with old and new friends alike.  Following a delicious Christmas dinner at The Hove Kitchen, six Chamber members each presented 90 second ‘quick fire lightning talks’, which were the focal point of the evening.  The speakers shared inspirational stories, insights and experiences that have made their 2012 and will see them in to 2013.  

The Chamber events have always been incredibly motivating for me.  Having started my HR consultancy, Bright HR Solutions just over one year ago, I can genuinely say that the events I attended and the people I met have helped me to shape my business into the success that it is today.  This event, however, stood out from the rest.  I believe that everyone present could relate to at least one, if not all, of the six speakers, and that their stories and experiences stirred inspiration in us all.  

Susan Beckingham from Sussex Copywriting Services told us about the brave step she took of resigning from a high powered Director role with nothing to go to - and she has never looked back.  Susan went on to set up her copywriting business and couldn’t be happier with her choice.  Susan’s key message was that “if you love what you do you will never work another day in your life”.

Sophia Lee-Spencer from Callisto Associates, who describes herself as the “world’s most reluctant entrepreneur”, inspired us with her incredible journey over the last year.  2012 was a year of challenges for Sophia, but rather than being overwhelmed she learnt valuable lessons and become a stronger person for it.  Sophia started her business in what she describes as “the ‘worst recession in living memory’, became an employer earlier than anticipated, fell pregnant and unwittingly infringed a trademark.”  Today, Sophia juggles the demands of a start-up business supporting four busy clients with a toddler, a newborn baby and three hyperactive spaniels, and is set to grow her business again in 2013.  Sophia’s closing words of inspiration were that “you never know what you’re capable of until life throws you a curve ball but you’ll be surprised at just how strong you are and what you can achieve when you have to”.

Sara Maude from Within Sight Training gave, in my opinion, the most moving of all of the talks.  Sara shared with us her story about her good friend Daniel, who sadly died at the young age of 37 within three months of being diagnosed with cancer.  This was a sharp reminder to Sara of just how precious our time really is.  Sara was studying psychotherapy and hypnotherapy at the time, whilst working in HR.  She started to work with clients while studying and found that she loved being able to help people in a way that created fast results.  It was a bold move from Sara’s established HR career and she took a risk setting up her business in Brighton, which was already rife with therapists.  But Sara kept thinking of Daniel and knew she had to follow her heart.  One year on she has gone from strength to strength.  Sara believes that “we can achieve anything we want in life, it’s just fear and limiting beliefs that stop us from following our dreams”.  Sara now helps people with hypnotherapy and EFT, and gives them the freedom to do what she did.

Gerry Thompson shared with us how he came to start up Positive Comedy Training.  Gerry said he had personally gained from incorporating learning from the worlds of comedy and improvisation - such as in confidence, presentation and speaking skills, creativity and leadership.  This inspired Gerry to offer training and coaching based on these principles to other people in business and professional life.

Matthew Jackson from Solutions-Inc Ltd shared with us a fantastic opportunity that he and his colleagues had to work with the Olympics.  And after successfully winning a contract with the Royal Spirit of Chartwell, Ben Monk from Blades Artificial Grass Ltd encouraged SMEs to not let the size of your business dictate the size of your contracts.

All six speakers fully embraced the theme ‘Gifts from the Past; Inspiration for the Year Ahead’.  They left us with motivating messages and inspiring words of wisdom that will see Bright HR Solutions and many other Chamber members into 2013.

Alicia Goodchild
Bright HR Solutions
www.bright-hr.biz

Image by http://christmasstockimages.com 

If you like the sound of our suppers, why not book on to the next supper event with guest speaker Michael Beard, editor of The Argus: http://www.businessinbrighton.org.uk/event/chamber-spotlight-supper-january-2013 

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk