On Words, Your Circles, and Building With Intention
The topic of the UK having ‘bad vibes’, not loving money, lacking entrepreneurial spirit (etc, etc, etc) is genuinely topic comes up multiple times a year - probably a bit more in recent months, given certain interviews with women in business such as Emma Grede, Patricia Bright and Krissy Keller, who have transparently shared their journey and experience working and doing business in the UK and across the pond. It is the kind of conversation that resurfaces in group chats, in comment sections, in late-night voice notes between friends - across all demographics.
Culturally, yes, the UK and US are inherently very different, especially when we consider finances, earning potential, entrepreneurship, and work ethic. The systems, the safety nets, the cultural attitudes to risk and ambition - they don't map onto each other neatly. However underneath those differences, I keep coming back to two things that matter regardless of which side of the Atlantic you're on, and regardless of what industry, income bracket, or life stage you are in.
Now don't get me wrong, things are far from easy in the UK. Everywhere has a hard, pick your hard. Taxes are crazy, as are some of the recent policy changes - the key is to stay a step ahead, on top of the developments (read the news, sign up to newsletters, listen to podcasts that make the complex policy developments easily digestible!), and work with professionals in this space so you're making the most of your position. Think accountants, lawyers, consultants, financial planners, and the like. There is no substitute for good advice tailored to your circumstances, and the women who navigate this best aren't the ones with no obstacles - they are the ones who have built the right team around them and intentionally stay informed.
Source: Pinterest - Chuma Jos
What you say is what you will see
First things first: what you say is what you will see. The tongue is powerful. Words create worlds. If you constantly proclaim negativity, you will end up seeing it manifest in one way or another. As a woman of faith, I believe part of changing your reality starts with renewing your mind (Romans 12:2). It sounds simple, almost too simple, but I have watched it play out over and over - in my own life and in the lives of women around me. The friend who never stops saying "I'm just not a numbers person" and never picks up a spreadsheet. The colleague who calls herself "bad at networking" and then avoids every room where opportunity might actually show up. The girl that 'wants more from her career but refuses to put herself out there and stays in a space that isn’t conducive to her growth or progression. Compare that to the women who speak, even quietly and privately, as though the outcome they want is already on its way. What you speak over your life, your career, your finances, your business, has a way of becoming the frame through which you see - and create - your reality. This isn't about toxic positivity or pretending things are fine when they are not. It is about noticing the running commentary you have with yourself and being honest about whether it is building you up or quietly working against you.
Source: Pinterest - Anayah Green
Be intentional about your circles and community
Secondly, you need to be intentional about your circles and community. As a woman in career or business, you need a trusted circle of like-minded women you can have open and honest conversations with - on personal development, investing, finances, and everything in between.
I have met so many women over the course of my career - peers, mentors, coaches, and even women I have connected with on Instagram, X and other social media platforms - that I have learned from, and vice versa. They have formed part of my community, my sounding board, when it comes to these essential topics. Some of these relationships started as formal mentorships. Others started as a DM after a post that resonated, or a conversation at an event that turned into a standing catch-up. None of it happened passively.
That is the part people underestimate: this kind of circle doesn't happen by accident. You have to seek it out, nurture it, and protect it - the same way you would work to protect any other asset. It means being deliberate about who gets access to your ambitions and your setbacks, and being generous in return, because the women who have poured into me have shaped how I think about money, risk, and opportunity just as much as any course or qualification has.
The takeaway
Block out the noise. Be intentional. Do the work (Kim K was right when she said nobody wants to work anymore!). Enjoy your life.
That last part matters as much as the rest. Intentionality isn't about grinding harder or filling every hour with "productive" conversation - it is about being deliberate enough with your words, your actions and your relationships so that you can actually enjoy the life you're building, rather than just chasing the next milestone.
Communities worth exploring
If you are looking to build or expand your circle, here are a few communities in the UK that I would recommend for intentional women:
There are more out there, and I am always discovering new ones but these are a solid starting point if you are looking to build a circle that will actually hold you accountable and pour into you. I am always open for a short, intentional chat - if any of this resonates, feel free to reach out!