I believe that we need community more than ever (which was why I created Like Hearted Leaders)

I've not always been a community builder and facilitator. I followed the much more conventional path of studying law at university and eventually becoming a practicing solicitor. In 2013, everything changed for me after I attended an internet marketing weekend seminar and I made the decision that while it would be easier to stay put in a stable job, what was calling me more was a less conventional path. I handed in my notice and set about creating my own business.

What I learnt though in the process was that life transitions can be lonely places to navigate. You step away from one identity towards another and with that you also step away, whether by choice or not from the life that you had so carefully constructed. Stepping into this new entrepreneurial role required more than a degree, it required me to undertake a self-enquiry into who I actually am, what is aligned and what isn't and then adjust accordingly.

All the structures around me fell away as I embarked on this journey, my home life changed, my work life transformed overnight and I spent many years isolated from my family and peer group who really had no idea who I was anymore.

It was a lonely journey although I was so energised about my new direction, I'm not sure I noticed too much but clearly I must have known that something was missing because in 2020 I created just what I needed, Like Hearted Leaders. 

Find Claire on LinkedIn here

www.claireperrylouise.co.uk

Our story of origin ...

2020 the year we all had to stay indoors

David Hieatt, the co-founder of the Do Lectures, ran a 2 week online course.

At approximately day 10, I woke up at 3am (this really happened) and I knew that when the 2 weeks had finished I needed to keep the attendees in connection. I opened up a Zoom account and invited anyone who attended to meet online.

After 6 months, the people who joined told me that they loved the space so much that they insisted that I start charging them to attend. ( I wish all business startups were that easy!)

Like Hearted Leaders was born.  (David Hieatt was not at the birth but he gave us his blessing and his presence a couple of times, he also wrote the most creative foreword for our book , which you can read here)