Hey, I'm Barbara...
And I’m here to help ambitious Business Leaders, elevate grow – so they can create the success they really want in and out of work.
So, if that sounds like you, and you’re ready to remove the blocks that are holding you back and grow, you’ve come to the right place.
Over the years I’ve had the absolute pleasure of working with thousands of people from business owners at the very start of their journey through to CEO’s and Managing Directors and everyone in between, and I know from experience that sometimes we can make things a lot harder than they need to be.
Whether that’s getting stuck in the weeds and spinning all the plates, or struggling with self doubt, fear of failure and imposter syndrome.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Your version of success is absolutely yours for the taking
"I know it sounds cliche, but Barbara has truly changed my life."
— Heather Patterson
My story began when I was 21 and fresh out of university. At the time I’d just had my eldest daughter and it was then that I landed my first role working for one of the largest food retailers in the UK in the People Development Department.
Little did I know that I’d stumbled head first into my purpose.
In fact, I can remember the very first time I realised what my purpose was, and trust me I know this is going to sound super corny but it’s true!
I was about 22 and I was delivering a section of the company induction to about 300 new managers. All of the new managers were in a big auditorium and I was waiting nervously at the side of the stage for my turn whilst the CEO was doing his thing.
I was half listening and half trying to remember what I was going to say when all of a sudden his words cut through my mental noise.
He said ‘you’re all Managers now…someone will have helped you to get to where you are today. Now’s your turn to help other people. That’s your meal-ticket.’
Bang!
His words hit me like a tonne of bricks, and just like that I knew what I was here to do!
To help other people grow and succeed…and I have to say I’ve been doing that every since.
So that first job led to 13 years working in the Head Offices of two of the largest food retailers in the UK.
I led large remote teams of training professionals, I designed hundreds of development programmes, I was responsible for the Management Development for all of the Managers in the retail arm of the chain (about 3000 people) I managed large scale programmes, projects and even larger budgets and I worked for all areas of the business (Retail, Manufacturing, Logistics, Head Office)…all of which I loved and it gave me the broad commercial knowledge that helps me to help my clients today.
Then in 2010, during a huge economic downturn, I decided that this was the time to realise a personal ambition and start my own business.
I’d just gone back to work after having my youngest child (I now had 3 children and a step son all of whom were under 13) and I realised that I wanted more from my life…Freedom!
I could count on one hand how many times I’d done the school run, and I wanted my life to change.
It was then that I decided to jump ship, and I can honestly say that I’ve never looked back and since then I’ve had the pleasure of working with hundreds of Business Leaders, across the UK, Europe and USA in companies in all sectors. I’ve published a book, The Boss Hat (become the leader you were always meant to be) and host a podcast, Smash Your Own Ceiling.
I’ve also got a degree in Journalism and Psychology, I’m a Chartered Member of the CIPD, a 2 x qualified Coach, an NLP Practitioner and Time Line Therapist and have been featured in the BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Radio Sheffield, Addicted2Success, Tut.com and Thrive Global.
But what about outside of work?
I’m married to Dave and together we also run Pebble and Pine Coffee Roastery, we have 4 amazing kids and a very lively puppy. I’m a Personal Development book addict, a Netflix binger, a big tea drinker, a veg grower, and a lover of travel and being outside in general. I have my own radio show at Harrogate Hospital Radio, and I’ve also tried my hand at Stand Up Comedy and Improv.
You can follow me on Linkedin, Instagram and Facebook and you can get loads more on the Smash Your Own Own Ceiling Podcast and blog or if you’re ready you complete the Confident Leaders Scorecard, or go ahead and check out the next steps of how I can support you further.
