Students from the Division of Natural Sciences and Kent Business School recently had the exciting opportunity to listen to talks from Karen Cruise and Nadia Simpson, at Inspirational Speaker events organised in collaboration with Student Success.
Karen, a Life Coach, spoke at both events about her personal and business achievements despite the odds. Having left school with no qualifications, Karen recounted how she had surmounted obstacles in her life to become a senior manager for one of the largest social housing companies in Yorkshire, gain a degree aged 36, pass her GCSEs at 52 and open two successful coaching companies.
Karen provided students with guidance on overcoming barriers in their own lives, recommending strategies such as positive self-talk, vision boards and affirmations. She explained that failure should be treated as an opportunity for learning, and advised students to find their ‘Why’ and be their authentic selves in order to flourish and achieve their life goals.
At the Kent Business School event, attendees were also treated to the opportunity to hear fellow student and entrepreneur Nadia Simpson share the story of starting her own business. Nadia is a third year Kent Business School student, who launched a sustainable and ethical haircare brand Nadia Esi Naturals as part of her ‘selfie’ year.
Nadia described how setbacks along the way were all important parts of her journey. Whilst initially upset at not getting into her first choice of University, Nadia explained how the support provided by Kent had given her the opportunity to set up her own business, and enjoy the success she has achieved today.
Sharing pieces of wisdom with her peers, Nadia emphasised the importance of having a circle of people to support you and confide in, and advised peers to make the most of every opportunity provided to them, as life is so short. Nadia left her fellow students with a valuable piece of advice: “Don’t become a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
The Student Success Team would like to extend a big thank you to Karen and Nadia for sharing their powerful stories and expertise at these events.