Inspirational Women-Hannah Coleman

Hannah Coleman has an unusual job – she sells walls! Not just any old walls but walls to help you make your dream home! Read on to find out how Hannah ended up as the inspiration behind Dreamwalls

Jane:  Hannah, you have quite an unusual role now, involving walls! Can you tell us a bit more about your current role and how you ended up in it?
Hannah: I agree it is an unusual role, and not one that I went out to seek, the role found me!

At the time I was heavily pregnant with my daughter and lived in a new build town house in Barry, South Wales. Previously I had lived in Manchester, and adored the old mills and loft conversion properties; I had a vision to create that look in to the new build town house in Barry, but couldn’t build an old rustic brick wall on the 2nd floor of the property due to the extra weight load on the property.

I tried sourcing on the internet for an imitation rustic brick cladding that I could use, but I couldn’t find one suitable. Not long after my daughter was born I was out walking with her in the pram, and found a few old rustic bricks in an old skip, I took them back home and had a go at making a moulding from them. To a cut a long story short, my daughter’s father and I between us hand casted a rustic brick wall cladding system for our home in our garage; only when it was fully completed on the wall did the light-bulb moment hit me. I realized that a business idea had been formed and that is exactly how Dreamwall started.

I got professional advice with Business in Focus in South Wales on how to start a business, and obviously needed advice on manufacturing, finance and grants (no capital).

I officially began trading as Dreamwall in March 2003 as a mail order company from home, which was perfect as I was also a full time stay at home new mum.

What was the very first job you had and did you learn any skills from it you still use?
As a teenager I always had various weekend jobs, my first was actually being a Saturday girl at a riding school, the job entailed mucking out the stables, cleaning tack, grooming feeding the horses, and involved a lot of responsibility and discipline.

I also worked in a Fish restaurant, on a Friday and Saturday night, I learnt a lot on how to deal with customers, taking orders, taking time to talk and engage with people. I always had the best tips at the end of an evening, I learnt that the customer is always right, (sometimes ;-)) – and communication was key.

In the summer holidays I worked in a clothing Boutique that was owned by Delia Dolan who was a Miss United Kingdom, with her winning money she set up the up market boutique HOBO. Clients always looked like they lived a dream lifestyle and I loved the glamour of the boutique, I really became interested in clothes, and admired Delia’s work ethics; I wanted a piece of that glamour.

Having various jobs while at school and college installed in me the principle always to be self sufficient and never to rely on others. For me there is nothing more rewarding than earning your own money, it taught me to be a grafter, and not to be afraid to take on challenges, responsibility. I always say I am a jack of all trades but not a master of any!  I will try anything once!

Did you stay on to further education?
I actually didn’t do very well in my GCSES and failed them first time round No one is to blame, my father was critically ill in hospital while I was taking my exams, and lots of other personal things happened in this period of time.  I just went off the rails and didn’t revise. I have a very short attention span, and I just couldn’t concentrate. I kept on at my weekend jobs, but just couldn’t focus on my school work.

Years later I found out I am dyslexic and I take a little longer than normal to grasp things, this is not in any way being judgemental and making excuses for myself, but it put a lot of things into perspective. I ended up re-sitting my GCSES exams and passed with flying colours the second time round, enough so to secure a place at art and photographic college, to study. I did an OND in art and design and photography, but didn’t go to university.

I worked a few years in the photographic industry straight afterward college, then went on to do other things. I think it’s important that we all get an education and keep our brains active to keep learning but it’s not the be all and end all to obtain degree after degree, so many people have never used them. It really is a case of what profession you are choosing.

Did you plan a career? Or have you reacted to events as they have happened?
As a child I always wanted to be a singer, I had a dream of being an international singer! I did have ago in the  music industry in my mid 20′s it was fun, recorded lots of few tracks, did backing vocals for a few singers and travelled to Sweden to record a song. I even had a bash on ITV Pop Idol in 2001. No regrets, but as I mentioned before, I fell pregnant with my daughter and found Dreamwall. As you can see from my answers I have had many experiences in all sorts of professions.

Who most inspired and motivated the young Hannah?
Madonna, 100% through and through Madonna, my idol.

And who does now?
The amazing people I have met through twitter, social media, every day I am inspired by so many amazing people, there are so many talented souls out there, genuine people who really are supportive and inspiring to others. I love learning about people, and every day I learn something new, all are inspiring.

What is best thing about running your own business? What has been the most exciting and challenging to date?
The best thing about running your own business is that you are your own boss; every day there is a new challenge no day is the same, I have met some amazing people through my business.

The most challenging to date would be the fact I was a first time mum, with a new baby at home, and I was also starting a new venture with Dreamwall. Those two combined together was challenging, as they both were babies, both needed me to nurture them, grow them, support them, and somehow I managed to find a balance of running a new business with a new baby all from home – so yes that’s been the most challenging part to date.

And worse…?
There isn’t any! OK I admit it’s not all being glossy and plain sailing but seriously I have no regrets. The worse times are all put down to challenges and experience.

What advice would you give to any woman thinking of starting their own business?
Just GO FOR IT! We only live once, life is for living, you spend a long time dead! – Seek professional advice, there are plenty of organisations out there who want to help start up new businesses; they can help with all the practicalities of starting a business from accountants, to marketing, grants, funding. And don’t be afraid to collaborate, two heads are better than one.

How do you relax?
I enjoy ME time, if that makes me selfish then that’s OK, but I always take 30 minutes out of the day just to sit down and switch my mind off from everything, I like to walk, run, bike. It’s something that has always stuck in my head from school, my form tutor once told the class in tutorials that as we get older we need ME time to collect our thoughts, time to reflect, and I have always taken her advice and still do. Even if it means getting up early before your children wake up, grab those few precious moments on your own and switch off.

What (or who) makes you most happy?
My daughter – her smile is contagious, her love and laughter, she is spirited and keeps me grounded. And I adore my boyfriend my soul mate . My family, mum dad, sister they are my rock. My close friends. To sum it up I always surround myself around positive kind people.

Do you have a favourite book,  or saying to share that has inspired you?
I am a Jack of all trades not a master of any!  Favourite books that have been an influence is Jack Canfield’s  Chicken Soup for the Soul, and The Secret.

Hannah, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with us. I hope your story will enthuse other budding entrepreneurs to follow their dreams too!  And continued success with Dreamwalls!

Spring to Mind

Spring to Mind by Zoe Copley is published by Troubador. £11.99

I was intrigued by Zoe as she began her career as a barrister but an encounter with coaching literally transformed her life.  And so ‘Spring’ to Mind was born.

The book itself is a weighty tome – you certainly get full value for your money! It’s not really a ‘dip in ‘book but merits reading in it’s entirety. It is part novel, part self help. By turn it amused me, saddened me, and reminded me why coaching can be so amazing and transformational.

Here’s an extract from the novel part of the book which takes the form of a series of letters:

“Dear Mum,
So grateful that you called with your news that you would not be going back to hospital for more chemo this week. I had a lot of time to think about you on Saturday night as I sat wretched and sweaty by the rubbish bin waiting to be ill. We went out to see friends for the evening, dinner and company were both lovely, but I had a growing sense of doom as the minutes ticked by and the clock hands moved slowly past midnight. I was queasy and headachey and I knew the night would not end happily for me.
While it may have been a dodgy clam or some reaction to 2003 red wine, or perhaps lobster for lunch (a rare day of extremely rich pickings), more likely it was Tommy’s virus from last week. Anyway, I felt for you as nausea and vomiting are just two of the side effects you have endured so uncomplainingly. I have to say on the way I felt on Sunday, I would not wish chemo on anyone, let alone my dear Mummy.”

And here is an extract from the self help element of  ‘Spring to Mind’ which contains a useful exercise you might want to try.

Self Coaching Toolkit

Coaching is a process through which you can clarify your thinking, identify your goals, formulate plans to achieve them an dultimately transform your reality. Coaching is not rocket science. …….

Stocktake- Exercise 1
Before you embark on a coaching journey or begin planning for change, it may be useful to consider more carefully the areas of your life in which you feel more challenged or less satisfied.
Below is a list of eight different aspects of your life. This is not an exhaustive list. Feel free to add or remove categories. The aim of this exercise is to assess your current feelings in relation to each category. Give each aspect a score from 0-10 with 10 representing the highest level of satisfaction and 0 representing virtually no satisfaction with the category in question.

1. Finances
2. Social/Friends
3. Work/Career
4. Leisure Pursuits
5. Health/Fitness
6. Spiritual/Religious
7. Partner
8. Family

Were there any surprises?

The novel part of the book addresses many of the themes of life which will resonate with women, indeed one critic dubbed it:

‘One woman’s search for meaning in the Weetabix and the washing.’!

If you’d like to learn more about Zoe and her work, this link will take you to her web site.

Are You in Charge?

When times are tough does an inner victim take over, or do you take charge of your own destiny?

Economically times are tough now, particularly if you work within the public sector. There is a high level of uncertainty about security of employment, future roles, and the knowledge that, even if your job is safe, perhaps adequate funding to do it is not.

 In short, it’s not currently a great place to be. I work within the public sector a lot, indeed I was a manager and practitioner in both, and my heart goes out to the individuals who are coping with the uncertainty that now hovers over them. This post is dedicated to all those facing huge uncertainty; many people in the private sector will find it resonates too.

How to Take Charge?

One of the reasons we find it so challenging is because we feel we have no control over events; it feels like we’re on the back foot, waiting to react to events as they occur. And that makes us feel helpless. And feeling helpless makes us feel like a victim, possibly like a child, which in turn saps our confidence and leaves us feeling inadequate: less able to cope with what may be coming. A vicious cycle.

I have lots of coaching clients at the moment who feel very vulnerable and exposed; and as their confidence levels dip so does their ability to cope.

A common reaction is to try and ignore what is happening, to stay in denial for as long as possible. A certain amount of ostrich like behaviour is normal, but for your own self respect and sanity, take back some control.

Questions

Knowledge is power and empowering. You need some information that is particular to you before you make any decisions, or are bounced into making decisions! Simply exploring all your options in case your job disappears does not make it any more like to happen. Facing your fears does put you in control!

Here are some questions it’s worth knowing the answers to:

• How much do you actually need to live on?
• What are your regular outgoings?
• What is your status vis a vis redundancy? Do you know what your entitlement would be if redundancy was on offer/proposed?
• How do you look after yourself best, keep yourself well and manage your stress levels?
• Are you currently doing any of those things? Or planning to do them?
• Who are the friends who support and sustain you? Your radiators?
• How have you coped with significant life change in the past (and you will have coped with lots of changes!)
• What’s your worst fear about the changes afoot? Is it possible loss of income? Role? Status? Companionship? Stimulation?
• What would you love to do if you weren’t in your current role?

If you can answer all of those questions you will be well on the way to taking back some of the control that uncertainty wrests from you. You can’t do much about the economic situation we find ourselves in, or the political decisions being made which affect your life.

But you can CHOOSE how you react!

Nobody can take your ability to hold your own thoughts away from you. And you can make a choice about those thoughts. I don’t mean some trite ‘think beautiful thoughts and change the universe’ philosophy. No, instead I am talking about holding onto to your sense of self, not giving away your own power; being aware that you are so much more than the sum of your parts and the job description you have, and making the choice not to be a victim!

If you find yourself in a time of uncertainty I hope the above is of some use to you. If this is a situation you have previously experienced it would be great to hear how you came through, what worked and what didn’t.  I am currently writing a programme to help employees survive and thrive in times of uncertainty. I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas!

If you manage staff then this may be of interest!

Do You Remember…?

I was about to sit down and write you a great post this morning but somewhere between my bedroom, (where the thought came to me as I awoke) and my study, the great post evaporated! There is no remaining trace of it despite my best wracking of brain efforts.

So I am doing what I always do when I can’t remember something – I am stopping trying.

Now you may think that is rather defeatist of me but trust me, it works! When you have those momentary lapses of memory (which we all do) it is not advancing senility but simply a sign of an active mind! So stop adding to it’s activity, let it go, and quietly and calmly say to yourself:

“It will come back to me”

and it probably will!

As for that excellent post you were going to get….it’ll come back to me, soon!

What’s your best tip for remembering?

Inquire Appreciatively!

Appreciative Inquiry is based on the principle of doing more of what works, and not getting bogged down in the negativity of what doesn’t!

So here’s a simple exercise for you:

What works really well in your life right now?

Why is it working so well? What is your role in this, what skills, qualities and attributes are you bringing to bear on the situation?

What could you be doing more of in order to bring more of this success into your life?

Drawing on Your Thoughts

Next time you find yourself with a bit of a poser, a problem that seems intractable, or a dilemma you just need to think through, try this exercise.

Take a sheet of A4 paper, turn it landscape and, without thinking too much about it, draw/doodle/sketch the issue. Anything goes as long as you don’t start writing words.

Try and do this instinctively without worrying about your artistic skills. Stop after 15 minutes at most, put the drawing in your desk drawer and forget about for a while. Your subconscious will be working away on it in the background and when you look at it again after a few hours there’s a good chance that a solution or helpful thought will have presented itself!