about jennie

Life Coach Jennie

I have lead an interesting and unusual life. In a nutshell...

• Originally from Leicestershire. My parents started and ran a very successful business: I learnt a lot from them.
• After school I trained in Hotel & Catering Management.
• I've lived and worked in London, Paris, Jakarta, Singapore and Kobe
• I started, developed and ran Impressions Design – a graphic design company – for 13 years then successfully sold it.
• Divorced (with dignity). We have 2 beautiful, grown-up daughters.
• Trained with CoachU and created Red Dandelion in 2003

Let me share a bit more of the detail with you.

THE GIFTS OF AN UNUSUAL LIFE
I believe my unusual life means that I bring more to my coaching, as I've experienced many changes in my life. I've lived and worked in 4 different countries, have done 2 round-the-world trips and I have traveled to 20 countries. I've had 3 distinct careers, several 'mini' careers, created two companies and sold one of them. I met and married a Japanese man and learnt the challenges of a mixed-race marriage. I was a single Mum from when my children were 5 & 7. And I've taken part in some big sporting events in running and swimming. My experiences means that I have a lot of resources to offer to you, in helping you achieve your dreams.

FROM F&B ANALYST TO DESIGNER TO COACH
With an OND in Hotel & Catering Management under my belt at 18, I went off to Paris to be a Nanny! Ten months later, I began working at Hotel Sofitel de Sevres as waitress and cashier. I came back to the UK in 1978 and started working at the London Hilton – Park Lane. I worked on the Front Desk, then moved to the accounts department. I became fascinated with the new computers being installed. For awhile I was the assistant DP Manager and then in another shift, I moved to become the F&B Analyst with the new Gatwick Airport Hilton. Although my roles with the Hilton were varied they gave me a great understanding of finances within a business.

In 1983 my husband, also with the Hilton, was promoted. With our 8 week old daughter we flew out to Jakarta to begin 7 years in the Far East. In Jakarta I became a volunteer with WWF Indonesia. In Singapore I taught children to swim. In Kobe I wrote and self-published and sold "Kids in Kobe". This lead to my next career in graphic design.

We came back to England in 1989 and in January 1990, I set up Impressions Design. I was determined to make it work – although I had little idea of what I was doing! However, several very kind people took me under their wing including a local printer and another designer. In those early years I learnt so much both about typography (which became a passion) design and print, as well as to how to, and how not to run a small business :-)

In 2002 I reached a point where I knew I needed to change. I had created a good business with 4 employees and we created a produced a wide range of different promotional materials both in print and on the web, of which I was very proud, but for me, it was time to move on. At the beginning of 2002 I set about preparing my business to sell it. At the end of that year I sold my company to another design agency.

I began training to become a coach with CoachU in 2003 and graduated in 2005. Starting with friends and family (and anyone I could persuade to be my guinea pig), I began coaching people in 2003. I took on my first paying client in 2004. By 2005, I had a full practice with 25 clients and today I have, at any one time, between 25 and 30 clients.

WHAT NEXT?
Try out a coaching session! I offer a half-price try-me-out session for people who are interested in coaching. Call me on 01305 772220 or 0845 83 86 733 (lo call rate) or email me to book your session. You can pay by credit card, bank transfer or cheque.

On the beach...

These photos were taken early one morning on Weymouth's main beach. They remind me of how wonderful it is to be alive!

My passion

I love swimming in the sea – I love that you never know how it will be. Somtimes still and crystal clear. Sometimes crashing waves. Sometimes it feels like you're in a washing machine! Weymouth has ideal sea swimming conditions – you can swim for miles along the shoreline and never be out of your depth. From March to December, I swim 2-3 times a week.

My love of nature

I love being outdoors – in, on and next to the sea of course – but also in the mountains, hills, valleys and fields. From seeing delicate cobwebs to the awesome power of the big cats, I am fascinated, enthralled and filed with peace that only comes when I step back in to nature.

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