#128 Brian Bush - Don’t be a lemming!

Brian talks to us about the importance of forging your own path.

We talk about:

• The value of networks and connecting people.
• How he has a purpose not a career. 
• And the joy of embarrassing Porsche drivers at headlights in his Rally version Skoda.

Brian is a sales/business development and relationship specialist having worked in a number of areas across the private and public sectors. From involvement in growing business (small to large) to creating and growing his own ventures Brian has a real passion for business. 

Driven by purpose, able to motivate and inspire others, Brian brings connection to a team or business ensuring a positive culture can exist to enhance efficiency and therefore profit.

A very well networked individual Brian always brings his extensive connections to all projects and businesses that he works with and uses strategic partnerships to drive forward opportunity.

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

Brian’s website - https://bbushonline.co.uk/ 

Brian on LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/bbushonline

Brian on Twitter - https://twitter.com/bbushonline 

Brian on Clubhouse - @bbushonline

#127 Sakshi Bansal - Doing Something Different

Sakshi talks to us about the joy of doing something different.

We talk about:

• Having a rebellious streak growing up.
• The challenge of calculating the effect of the ripples of kindness.
• And her next move towards humanitarian psychology.

The meaning of the word Sakshi in Hindi is "witness". After moving to the UK to finish her masters in Occupational Psychology, Sakshi has witnessed her name transform into "Saskia", "Siski", "Sexy". That does not bother her. What bothers her is the lack of diversity & inclusion in the field of psychology; the lack of support for international students, the needs of youth volunteers around the world and of course the weather! 

Sakshi likes working on 10 projects at a time, is a passionate solo-traveller, a total linked-in nerd and claims she once drank more beer than an Irishman! 

Since 2018, she is a "UNESCO Kindness Leader" and is just discovering what that means in the world of business, psychology and change.

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

Project Leap Website - http://www.theprojectleap.org/ 

Sakshi on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sakshi-bansal/ 

Project Leap on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/project_leap/ 

#126 Lorna Helps  - Making hybrid working work

Lorna talks to us about the importance of making hybrid working work.

We talk about:

• Wanting to go to Newcastle University way more than becoming a Doctor.
• Cutting through challenges in workshops by painting pottery.
• And being told she couldn’t start a business as didn’t have the entrepreneur gene!

Lorna Helps is the founder of Vibrant Thinking which helps organisations implement hybrid working to transform their workplace. 

Prior to starting her own business she worked at Procter and Gamble for 17 years. She was based in Newcastle but was part of teams based in London and Geneva so has some understanding of the challenges of hybrid working where teams are not in the same physical location.

With Vibrant Thinking she combines her experience at P&G with unlocking creativity and innovative thinking within people to get better solutions for the client organisation.

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

Lorna’s Website - www.vibrant-thinking.com

Lorna on LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lornawatkinsonvibrantthinking/

Lorna’s Facebook Group Vibrant Thinking for Hybrid Working : https://www.facebook.com/groups/279814446471530

Sarah on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vibrant_thinking/ 

Sarah on Twitter - https://twitter.com/VibrantThinkUk 

Management today conference link: https://www.managementtoday.co.uk/reinventing-the-workforce/agenda

#125 Sarah Taylor - Take the leap and see what happens

Sarah talks to us about the importance of taking the leap and seeing what happens.

We talk about:

• Being environmentally conscious from a young age.
• The importance of being who you are and being proud of it.
• And hear all about the backstory of the Pamoja name.

Sarah Taylor is a trained skincare formulator and founder of Pamoja, a multi-award winning sustainable skincare brand based in Newcastle upon Tyne. During an eight-year career break, Sarah experienced skin allergies and set out on a journey to understand what she was putting on her skin. She found a solution and her purpose. 

Sarah is passionate about helping busy Mums achieve happy, healthy glowing skin and a moment of calm - daily self-care that can help us to bring the best version of ourselves to everything we do.   

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

Sarah’s Website - https://pamojaskincare.com/

Sarah on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pamojaskincare/

Sarah on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pamojaskincare

#124 Claire Walton - Making a Difference

Claire talks to us about the importance of making a difference.

We talk about:

• The commendable job HR professionals have done during the pandemic.
• How we should all ask for help when needed.
• And her wanting to be Wonder Woman growing up.

Claire is a High-Performance Coach and Author. Previously an Executive Director, Claire is now focussed on coaching Executive and C-Suite leaders to improve their performance, and that of their teams and organisations.

Claire has an Advanced Diploma in Leadership Performance Coaching from Northumbria University and an MBA with Distinction from Newcastle University, amongst many coaching qualifications.

 Claire’s first book, Super Neuro You is on sale on Amazon April 22nd.

Claire is an active Sponsor of ‘My Sister’s Place’, a North East Charity supporting women suffering from domestic abuse. She is a volunteer mentor for The Girl’s Network and mum to Emily.

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

Claire’s Website: www.leadersaremad.co.uk 

Claire on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/leadersaremad/ 

Claire on Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/leadersaremad 

Claire on Twitter - https://twitter.com/leadersaremad  

Claire on LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/in/clairewaltonchangeagent  

#123 Dr. Becky Quicke - The menstrual cycle holds all the wisdom. 

Becky talks to us about how the menstrual cycle holds all the wisdom. 

We talk about:

• How becoming a psychologist always felt right. 
• Setting up a business to be the psychologist and Mum she wanted to be. 
• And becoming a free range human. 

Dr. Becky Quicke is passionate about sharing scientifically proven psychological skills to help other women let go of anxiety and have the self belief to flourish and fly.

She empowers women who experience anxiety during the menopause to slow down, let go of worries and live with more joy and ease. 

Becky delivers online courses, workplace workshops and a monthly membership to help women navigate their way through the psychological storms of perimenopause so they can step forward with more peace and confidence. She also supports a small number of women who want personalised 1:1 guidance through coaching and therapy.

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

Becky’s Website - https://www.beckyquicke.com/  

Becky on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/menopausepsychologist/ 

Becky on Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/beckyquicke 

Becky on Twitter - https://twitter.com/BeckyQuicke 

Becky on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-becky-quicke%E2%9C%A8menopause-psychologist-965268b5/ 

#122 Cameron Shaw - Small changes, big difference

Cameron talks about making small changes can make a big difference

We talk about:

• How small businesses have the power of big corporates by taking small actions together.
• Why the first steps into entrepreneurship can be the most difficult. 
• And how a hotel slogan of “so good, so clean” can be fairly misleading!

Cameron is an innovation expert specialising in the creation of value focusing on the end user's needs. Cameron has recently founded The Eco-Agency which helps SME’s take their first steps into sustainability. Cameron is an avid traveler as well a coffee addict.

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

The Eco Agency website - www.theecoagency.com

Cameron on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-shaw-59b65ba2/

#121 Gwen Young - Bringing courage and culinary creations to people at home. 

Gwen talks about how she is bringing courage and culinary creations to people at home. 

We talk about:

• Being into IT from a young age. 
• Her abilities in intertwingling recipes thanks to her project management skills.
• And her strategic pregnancy that helped her leave teaching. 

Gwen's portfolio career is currently in stage 3, food. 

Stage 1 was as an IT professional and stage 2 was in education.

Having sold her last food business (an organic food delivery scheme) in June 2020 she has created It's From Scratch Ltd with a mission to make recipes a reality. She hopes to get everyone cooking by removing ingredient, time and skill barriers.

When people ask for volunteers Gwen has to sit on her hands, she sings in a choir and is in an unofficial clothes swap arrangement/battle with her teenagers. 

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

Gwen on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwendolineyoung/ 

It’s From Scratch website - www.itsfromscratch.co.uk

It’s From Scratch on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fromscratchfood 

It’s From Scratch on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/its_fromscratch/ 

It’s From Scratch on LinkedIn -  www.linkedin.com/company/itsfromscratch

#120 Jeni Smith - Networking is making friends for grown ups.

Jeni talks about how Networking is making friends for grown ups!

We talk about:

• How we need the small talk and awkwardness of networking. 
• The challenge of showing ROI to managers for networking activities. 
• And having proper banter with Prince William about Smurfs!

Jeni is passionate about connecting people. When people come together powerful things happen: relationships are built, knowledge is shared and sparks of innovation are fired. With fifteen years’ experience in the networking industry, Jeni now teaches networking skills and creates networking strategies to help people come together and build effective, long-term relationships. 

During her career she has won several awards in enterprise including being named within the ‘Future 100 Young Entrepreneurs’ in the UK in 2010, and ‘Growth Accelerator Programme’ winner 2012. 

Between 2017-19 she conducted two rounds of academic research with Durham University, exploring her unique strategic business networking model. The research results spurred her on to launch Networking KnoWho, a new networking consultancy, to help individuals and businesses become more confident, efficient, and strategic networkers. 

Jeni truly believes that networking has the ability to change people’s lives, unlock hidden potential, spark world-changing ideas and be the catalyst for positive change: all starting with a simple "Hello". 

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

Networking KnoWho on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NknoWho  

Jeni on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jeni_Smith_  

Networking KnoWho on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/networking-knowho  

Jeni on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeni-smith/  

Networking KnoWho on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NetworkingKnoWho  

#119 Ben Hulme - Sales Piracy and Good Trouble

Ben talks about his journey to sales piracy and good trouble. 

We talk about:

• How being a disruptor is now cool but wasn’t at school. 
• Why supporting others to build their dreams is one of his measures of success. 
• And hear all about his very romantic story!

Ben has spent 22 years in leadership, sales, business development and relationship management across healthcare, technology, HR, consultancy and services.

Seeing how slow and complicated the health and care system can be, and the missed opportunity because big corporate companies are… too big and too corporate. He founded Hulme Redwood to give innovators and start-ups access to the experience and skills to grow, and work in a way that is healthy and rewarding for all. They called him disruptive at school, but he hears that’s bang on trend now. He calls it Sales Piracy

Ben lives in Preston, Lancs, with his lovely Claire and their four teen-angels. Out of hours he is at his happiest up a mountain or in a lake somewhere..

Key Resources:

Inspiration North Website - www.inspirationnorth.com

Inspiration North Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/inspirationnorth 

Inspiration North Twitter - https://twitter.com/Inspirationorth 

Inspiration North Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inspiration_north/ 

Inspiration North LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/inspiration-north

Ben on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benphulme/

Ben on Twitter - https://twitter.com/hulmeredwood