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On today’s show we’re joined by Gail Lowney Alofsin, Keynote Speaker, Author, University Professor, Humanitarian, and Sales & Marketing Executive.

Gail begins by talking about always having been a people person, even from a young age. Gail takes us back to when she was a student in a Catholic school, door knocking, trying to sell religious items, and highlighted that even those who said ‘no’ got a ‘thank you for opening the door’ note from her. Fondly remembering the connection she made with individuals so early on, it’s easy to see where her passion for working with people began.

Fast forward a few years, aged only 19, Gail’s father took her to volunteer on a medical mission in Haiti.  Following the news that he only had a year to live, Gail’s father chose to travel to Haiti every three months, as a practising dentist outside Mother Theresa’s ‘Home for the Dying’.  When asked by Mother Theresa to help the people of Jeremie in Haiti, he did just that, founding the Haitian Health Foundation, an outpatient clinic providing healthcare to 200,000 patients a year and where Gail still volunteers to this day.

As a true believer of ‘eat the frog for breakfast’, Gail explains why she thinks addressing the things you don’t look forward to, first thing every day, is so important for productivity. Her various personal and professional triumphs are a clear indication that this approach to life has really worked for her.

Sharing her tips for success and her infectious energy with us, this episode will reshape your mind set and make you look at life differently. Even in the face of pain and adversity, Gail’s constant drive and determination has seen her through the hard times, and into the life she now leads with so many achievements under her belt.

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On today’s show, we welcome Rachael Flanagan, leader, entrepreneur and CEO of Mrs Buckét Cleaning Services.

In 2005, Rachael was 18, sitting her A-Levels, and helping her mum clean the family home. Originally seeing this as a means to earn ‘beer money’ for the local pub, Rachael quickly recognised the positive impact her help was having around the house, and her dream began to grow and take shape.

As Rachael explains her humble beginnings, she tells us how her entrepreneurial spirit sparked as a seven-year-old selling sweets in her dad’s shop, and how this evolved to become a 300-strong team of staff based across Wales and Bristol, offering commercial cleaning. It’s incredible to believe she started aged 18, armed with just £20 worth of fliers and a hoover.

Rachael’s energy is infectious and her success is truly down to her determination, motivation, sacrifice and drive. Reflecting on a quote a swimming teacher once told her, she explains how she applied the words “there’s no way of improving yourself unless you’re in the pool first, and leave the pool last” to everything in her life.

This episode is a stark reminder that with fire in your belly and a determination to succeed, you can and will be a success. Rachael’s fantastic energy and perseverance to prove her doubters wrong has been the catalyst for a business empire, and we look forward to seeing what’s next in store for her. You can find Rachael on LinkedIn and keep up to date with her latest updates!

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Today we’re joined by Joanne Collins, former military personnel, woman in technology, and born leader.

Having grown up in a military family, Joanne followed suit and worked as both Military Police and Telecommunications Officer during her time in the forces. Looking back, Joanne explains that on graduation from Airborne School, she was one of just five women, compared to 400 men. She credits this part of her life for teaching her resilience, how to think on her feet, and the importance of teamwork.

Speaking of the challenges she’s faced along the way, and the mind set instilled within her, Joanne touches on the importance of feeling the fear and doing it anyway. Her refreshing take on failure, and the idea that it really isn’t something to be afraid of, is a key part of the success she’s achieved throughout her life.

Becoming a single mother when her children were ages five and seven, Joanne was running a national support desk while trying to move it to a 24/7 model. While touching on the support she cobbled together from family, friends and social groups, Joanne explains the importance of diversity of thought within organisations, and the challenges around outdated systems that prevent this happening.

Joanne covers powerful topics with passion and candour. This episode brings the importance of diversity, inclusion and thought leadership to the forefront of discussion, providing us with lessons we can learn from and build upon.