Looking back on 2018

For the last two years (or more) we’ve done a number of series’ called Inspiring Stories.

​The earlier ones looked at the backstories of entrepreneurs, influencers and people who have changed history - highlighting the often difficult and disadvantaged circumstances they overcame such as poverty, disability, racial prejudice and personal challenges - things that don’t really come up on the highlight reels of their lives.

Wednesday Inspiring Stories summary

In 2017, we focused more on recent success stories of current entrepreneurs.

Series’ included mums in business, young entrepreneurs, seniors who have gone into business, and young people, as well as people who have come back stronger after various disasters. ​​

My hope is that these stories would give you a little boost of courage and inspiration in the midst of your own unfolding story, whether you are in business, employment, or anything else. There are so many lessons we can learn from those that have gone before us - lessons of perseverance, resilience, and grit, as well as creativity, passion and innovation...

• Under 25s Success stories

This series was amazing! Each post shared the story of someone who had launched a business during their teens, broken the mould, and shown the world what can be possible. Because of the generation they were in, growing up during the rapid rise of the online world, they had the unique chance to capitalise on that, and start businesses where there have never been businesses before. Take Akshay Ruparelia for example - he saw a gap in the market for online estate agent services, and dove right in, creating a business worth £12 million! The most astonishing story I came across was Maddie Bradshaw, who started a kids’ jewellery business at just ten years old!
Young people have a unique advantage when it comes to business. Because of their age, they have more energy, and more of a limitless way of looking at things, as well as an innate sense of creativity. They don’t yet have the same responsibilities an adult might have, meaning they have tons of energy and time to throw themselves into their dreams.

• Making the most of your boring job!

This was a shorter series, and slightly different from the others. How many people have been in jobs (or are still in them) that are not what they really want to do? It can be easy to feel like this is a dead end. I wanted to write a series of ways to leverage wherever you are at on the way to where you want to be, without hating every minute and wishing away the days. How many stories have we seen in the Wednesday Inspiring stories of people who started out somewhere that just wasn’t them, but gained so much valuable experience that helped them in the next step? In this series, I explored some ways to bring out the best in you wherever you are.

• What do you want to do?

This was a follow-up series to Boring Jobs, focusing on actually finding your next step. Some practical advice was shared about reflecting on your strengths, and what aspects of your past and present work you truly enjoyed, as well as some ways to avoid overwhelm and information overload to help you enjoy this exciting journey.

• Mums in business

Being a mum is challenging at the best of times. Who would have the time to start a business while looking after children? These mums did...In this series, we met some amazing women who used their challenges as a springboard to launch their ideas from. The first post was about Lynda Harding, the creator of Ewan the Sheep; a scientifically developed sleeping aid that simulates aspects of being in the womb in order to send babies to sleep quicker. This all came about as a result of her struggle to soothe her newborn son whilst on maternity leave. Every woman featured in this series is an example of resilience and determination.

• Starting Afresh - Women’s Prison Visit

This mini series is a special one about the trip I took with Curricula and Co’s founding Director Anita Frost to Askham Grange, a women’s prison like no other I’ve ever heard of that is working hard to empower women and provide them with the tools and support they need to rebuild their lives and start afresh. It was a defining moment for everyone involved. We came to inspire and encourage the ladies in residence, but we left having been inspired and touched by their courage and determination.

• Entrepreneurs Over 50

Who says our best days are behind you after the age of 50? The people featured in this blog series certainly don’t! In every post, there seemed to be a few advantages that these people all had in common. The level of life experience and and wisdom is much greater for older people than it is for younger people, meaning that they are experts in things like patience, persistence and are generally more tuned in to how things and people work. None knew this more so than 60-year-old Indian Cooking expert Jaswant Kular! This is also a great time in life to start a new venture, as for many, their children have grown up, and they are nearing retirement.

Fun Fridays
Friday content is perfect for the end of the week - short, snappy and fun, but offering a little bit of food for thought as well…From business tips to random facts and world records, I had a lot of fun finding these every week! The most recent series, Best Business Books was a series of short recommendations for some of the best books on self-development and motivation out there. Reading inspiring and wholesome books is one of the best ways to invest in yourself on a day to day basis, and a great way to glean wisdom from some of the world’s most celebrated business experts. Going into the new year, you may want to grab some for yourself in the sales, to set the tone for smashing your personal and professional goals in 2019. I know I will...

Monday Motivation
If there’s one day in the week that we might need a bit of a boost to send us on our way, it’s Monday. Personally, I think Monday is pretty underrated. Instead of seeing it as the start of yet another week of the daily grind, why not start seeing it as something to get excited about? a fresh start, and a day of opportunity and possibility for what the week can bring?
That’s the motivation behind these original quotes that I write for you every week. They are mostly inspired by things I am personally learning or being challenged by at any given point in time...

Shoutout to our Business Partners
Every week, our world-class professional partners make it possible for us and our clients and students to do what we do best, simply by doing what they do best! In our bespoke learning programmes, everything you need is right here, thanks to our collaboration with experienced and award-winning financial services, HR providers, law firms, media and design companies, and so much more, meaning you don’t have to try and do everything yourself. Joining forces with these specialist providers means that you don’t have to waste time trying to figure it all out yourself.

Beever and Struthers
Helping SMEs to achieve bigger and better things

This high quality financial services company has years of experience working directly with young business people, and indeed anyone who is new to business, no matter what the business’ individual needs are. They can supply a wide range of services from VAT and payroll and tax services to comprehensive start-up advice and business planning/cash flow advice. They have a personalised service, and have a track record of maintaining long-standing relationships with each client.

• Peach Law

Law Done Differently

New businesses hiring their first employees will understandably have a lot of questions and need guidance through this process. Peach Law are a firm that specialises in HR services, and providing complete advice and guidance in this area, as well as all the legal aspects of employment and recruiting. They also provide legal advice, and health and safety training for SMEs. They integrate their services with your business so that they become an extension of your team, always on hand when you need them. Peach Law have put together bespoke packages especially for Curricula and Co and the entrepreneurs that we are working with.

• Freeside Media

Freeside Media have 20 years of experience in the industry, and are committed to delivering only the best design solutions to new business. When working with Curricula and Co’s Academy students, they take a practical approach to help them communicate professionally and quickly to customers via websites and other promotional material. Freeside’s service, provided by a small team of graphic designers, illustrators and animators, includes marketing, printing and design services.

• Mayers Solicitors (Formerly MLP)

Creating Successful Outcomes for you and your Business
Mayers is one of the leading commercial and business law firms around in the North West. Their highly experienced and professional team of lawyers is there to work with businesses to help them achieve the best possible outcome. They pride themselves on their consistently clear communication with their clients throughout the process to ensure that clients understand everything that is happening step by step. This highly personal and tailored service makes them a perfect fit for Curricula and Co and our Academy students.

...And that’s it!
How exciting was the content over 2018? What were some highlights that stood out to you? We’d love you to let us know. It really has been a great year for all at Curricula and Co, and I hope it has been for you as well. If you are new to our weekly blog posts, please take the time to have a look through the content in more detail.

We’ve been planning coming up with loads of brand-new content to take you forward into 2019, so keep your eyes peeled, as we will be sharing a few snippets of what’s to come…
In the meantime, I hope you have a great new year, and we will see you on the other side!