Elaine Gold is a management consultant and coach with 30+ years’ experience helping founders and leadership teams make confident decisions, strengthen relationships, and lead change well. She’s known as “the calm voice in a noisy AI space”, bringing a practical, reputation-led approach to using AI alongside human judgement. Elaine also leads women-only business networking communities in London through WIBN, creating spaces where experienced women build trusted connections and grow.

Many capable business owners and leaders feel a dip in confidence right now — not because they can’t keep up, but because the noise is relentless and the stakes (trust, brand, client outcomes) are real. I work with individuals and teams to create a calmer, more grounded way to think: focus on the right tasks, choose the right tools, write the right instructions, and build in a simple review step that protects standards. The outcome is practical: less overwhelm, better decisions, and a way to use AI (and networks) to support real leadership rather than add pressure.

What are some practical tips, tools, or mindset shifts you’d love to share with our listeners?  

Keep curious. Keep learning — by making it a daily end-of-day review.

At the end of each day, take 3 minutes and answer these three prompts:

What did I learn today? (about my work, my people, my customers, or myself)

What assumption did I challenge? (or what surprised me?)

What’s one small adjustment I’ll make tomorrow? (a decision, a boundary, a conversation, a simplification)

If you use AI, add one line: “Where did AI help, and where did I need human judgement?”

That’s it. Small, consistent learning compounds — and it keeps you steady when everything feels noisy.

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Claudia Sheena is the founder of Creative Studio Accountants. After over 25 years in accounting, she left the security of employment in her 50s to focus fully on the practice she had quietly built alongside her career for many years. She now works as a trusted finance partner to creative and digital agency founders, helping them understand their numbers and grow businesses that truly work for them.

What’s one practical tip, tool, or mindset shift Claudia shares with our listeners?

"One of the biggest mindset shifts is learning to think big rather than think small. That is much easier said than done, and I know that from my own experience. I still have to consciously catch myself and reposition my thinking at times.

It is very easy in business to focus on saving small amounts of money here and there, but real progress usually comes from stepping back and looking at how to grow. That shift only works properly when it is backed up by knowing your numbers.

When you understand your figures on a regular basis, you can start to spot trends early. You can see what is improving, what is slowing down, and where opportunities or risks are emerging before they become obvious. That allows you to make forward-looking decisions with confidence rather than guesswork.

Instead of reviewing your finances once a year after everything has happened, a simple monthly focus on cash flow, margins, and future commitments gives you the confidence to think in terms of abundance. When you know your numbers and use them to look ahead, you naturally move away from worrying about saving a quid here or there and towards making bigger, calmer decisions that move the business forward."

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Hazel Theocharous of Empowering Your Circle chats with Samina Aslam. Samina passionately beats the drum of lining your ducks in a row by having your Will, LPA in place as well a trust and tax planning so that you pay as little in inheritance tax as possible.

We talk abut the importance of having a Will alongside a letter of wishes, but also why having a Lasting Power of Attorney is so crucial.

Samina will be educating you, like she did for me. To find out more about how Samina can help you, please listen to our Podcast but click here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samina-aslam-758b36100/

I look forward to hearing your comments on how Samina's interview has helped you.

Hazel, Empowering Your Circle

https://empoweringyourcircle.com

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Hazel Theocharous of Empowering Your Circle chats with the lovely Jodi Montlake of We Got This. Jodi is passionate about good health, movement and nutrition, helping

people find balance through new ways of living. For Jodi, this is not about ‘quick fixes,’ or the latest trends and fads, it’s about making sustainable changes that last.

Jodi’s focus is on the individual. She knows that what works for one person, may not benefit another and that when it comes to achieving optimal health, the mind is as

important as the body. She is a proud partner of London Hormone Clinic, working with patients with hormonal conditions.

We discuss how health and wellness is about balance and taking the time to look after ourselves. It is about making impactful changes that work and fit in with our daily lives.

To find out more about Jodi, please click through to her website: We Got This! Health Coaching

To find out more about Hazel and how she can help through her business, please click here: Confidence Coaching (1:1) | Empowering Your Circle

Please like, share, subscribe and comment on this podcast.

Hazel, Empowering Your Circle

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Hazel Theocharous of Empowering Your Circle has the privilege of speaking with Phoenix Humphreys, the Founder of Raise to Rise, a purpose-led fundraising consultancy supporting new and small charities and CICs across the UK.

After returning to the charity sector, Phoenix saw the urgent need for accessible, high-quality fundraising support for smaller organisations. In just two years, Raise to Rise has worked with over 34 charities and secured more than £220,000 in funding, helping clients build stability and long-term impact. Phoenix has been recognised as one of the #iAlso100 for 2025, and is a double finalist in both The Woman Who Solopreneur Awards and The Best Businesswomen’s Awards.

Raising awareness of the small charity sector is important as it's struggles and successes/ running your own business is challenging, it's important to show and talk about your struggles and successes so others don't feel alone/ so others can learn etc.

You can find out more about Phoenix and her company here: https://raisetorise.co.uk/

You can see how Hazel can help you in her business as well by clicking here: https://empoweringyourcircle.com

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Let’s Connect: Share your thoughts, ask questions, or suggest topics by reaching out

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Hazel Theocharous of Empowering Your Circles chats on her Podcast with the amazing Sarah Hayes about the connection between money, emotions the nervous system and finances.

Sarah Hayes is a financial wellbeing coach with over 20 years’ experience in the financial industry, now specialising in the connection between money, emotions, and the nervous system. Through breathwork, EFT, and intuitive coaching, she supports people to move out of financial overwhelm and create a calm, sustainable relationship with money..

The connection between money, emotions, and the nervous system and why so many people struggle with finances even when they’re doing everything “right.” is something we are discussing. Sarah is particularly passionate about financial overwhelm, money shame, and how dysregulation can block clarity and confidence. She enjoys sharing practical, embodied tools like breathwork and EFT that help people feel safer with money and make decisions from a grounded place rather than fear. She says "I’m especially drawn to conversations that blend practical insight with lived experience and gentle, compassionate reframing."

You can find out more about Sarah and her business here: www.embodiedwealth.co.uk

You can find out more information here about Hazel and her business: https://empoweringyourcircle.com

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Let’s Connect: Share your thoughts, ask questions, or suggest topics by reaching out

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Hazel Theocharous of Empowering Your Circle has exclusive chat with the lovely Amber Silverman of Nutrition for Health. Amber has been working as a Nutritional Therapist for 12 years. She loves inspiring and empowering women to live healthier and happier lives by changing the way they eat and upgrading their health.

Amber provides SUSTAINABLE, TRANSFORMATIONAL change no matter where you are on your journey to health and wellness. Here is more information on how you can work with Amber: Home | Nutrition for Health | Tufnell Park | London

Inspiring you with simple, delicious and nutritious recipes and meals plans to make this an exciting process, one that is entirely within your grasp. Now available is "Recipes By Amber", a downloadable app with 94 recipes to support your health and inspire you. https://linktr.ee/amber.nutritionforhealth.

Check out amazing recipes from Amber on her Instagram: (3) Instagram

If you would love to work with Hazel, you can find out more by clicking through to her website: Confidence Reset Circles | Empowering Your Circle

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Hazel Theocharous of Empowering Your Circle chats with the lovely Samantha Lawton about everything to do with Networking.

With a background in hospitality management, Sam has had the joy of looking after people and arranging effective and enjoyable events for over 25 years. After joining WIBN in 2010 as a member promoting her own therapy business, Sam quickly saw the power in networking and making authentic connections. Through networking Sam didn’t just triple her investment in the first year, she came away with firm friendships and also her own team of cheerleaders in the shape of the other members ready to assist, support, connect and pass business her way.

Therefore when the opportunity to become a franchisee Sam didn’t need to be asked twice and for the past 10 years she has been looking after WIBN groups in the capital, managing nine of the London groups as well as the Colchester WIBN and the National Online 'WIBN Angelou' group.

Sam's advice to anyone when networking would be approach each meeting from the point of view who can I help, rather than who can help me - think “farming not hunting" and you won't go far wrong.

I can add testament to the fact that Sam is one of the best networkers I have ever worked with. Through her energy, enthusiasm and supportive nature, Sam brings together ladies across all aspects of business making each individual feel special and important. I continue to love being a part of Sam's WIBN Groups.

You can read more about Sam here: Samantha Lawton - Franchisee - Women In Business Network

Please click here to find out more about my business: Join Our Podcast | Empowering Your Circle

Hazel, Empowering Your Circle

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In this powerful episode, Hazel Theocharous is joined by Céleste Reumert Refn, founder of GRAND IPR® and widely known as The Empress of Trademarks.

With a 100% success rate in trademark registration, Céleste shares her expert insights with Hazel on how business owners can build, protect, and leverage their brands with confidence. From her personal journey of earning a Master’s in Law at 41 and then getting the label of dyslexia right after graduation, to guiding founders through trademark readiness and brand protection, this conversation is packed with clarity, strategy, and empowerment.

Discover your Trademark Readiness Score, learn how to avoid costly mistakes, and explore her upcoming book, Build It, Protect It, Leverage It.

To find out more about how Celeste can work with you, please click on the links below:

What’s Your Trademark Readiness Score? https://www.grandipr.uk/trademark-readiness-score

Pre Order her book: https://grandipr.uk/build-it-protect-it-leverage-it

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/celesterrofficial

Find out more on her website: https://grandipr.net/home

Please find out more about Hazel and Empowering Your Circle by clicking on Hazel's website: https://empoweringyourcircle.com where Hazel offers Confidence & Imposter Syndrome coaching as well as Professional Development Training.

Join the Empowering You Circle! Stay connected for more insights on career growth, leadership, and workplace success.

Let’s Connect: Share your thoughts, ask questions, or suggest topics by reaching out

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Hazel Theocharous of Empowering Your Circle chats with the amazing Anne Iarchy who is committed to supporting people through their gluten free lifestyle.

Since 2010, Anne has worked as a health and lifestyle coach and nutritional therapist, helping people build sustainable habits and healthier, more balanced lives. In 2023, her work became deeply personal when she was diagnosed with coeliac disease. Faced with a sudden lifestyle change, Anne applied the same five-step method she had taught for years, giving her first-hand insight into the challenges many people face after diagnosis.

A passionate bread lover, Anne refused to rely on ultra-processed gluten-free options. Instead, she set out to recreate high-quality gluten-free bread with the flavour and texture she missed, leading her to develop online gluten-free baking classes and in-person bread workshops.

Today, Anne supports people newly diagnosed with coeliac disease or those transitioning to a gluten-free lifestyle, combining her expertise in nutrition, lifestyle change, and gluten-free baking to help them rebuild confidence and thrive. She is currently working towards opening a dedicated gluten-free micro bakery and baking school and is crowdfunding to bring this vision to life - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/littlehomebaker

Here is her website: https://anneiarchy.com

If you would love to know more about Hazel and her Professional Development Training, please click here: https://www.empoweringyourcircle.com/

Join the Empowering You Circle! Stay connected for more insights on career growth, leadership, and workplace success.

Let’s Connect: Share your thoughts, ask questions, or suggest topics by reaching out

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