Julie R's Story
My name is Julie Rae. I wasn't even looking for a book but in February of this year something told me I had to buy "Be Your Own Life Coach". So I did.
And my life changed from that moment on.
I already had plans to move from Scotland to England to start my own business but they were kind of flailing as was I. The pressure was too much, the stress was too 'stressful' and I didn't know if I could believe enough in myself to actually do it.
I'm a 32-year-old single mum with two children. My youngest, Eve, who is now almost five years old suffered a brain haemorrhage four years ago. She's perfectly fine now and appears to have no lasting damage. But at the time I was told repeatedly that she was going to die. But she's a fighter and she didn't die, she kept holding on in there.
I went through hell, obviously. And despite having counselling the trauma still affected me. As did being married to and subsequently leaving my violent husband just before my daughter got sick. All of it shook my belief in me, my optimism and my strength. I lost all my fearlessness and courage. Instead of finding solutions to my problems I ignored them in the belief I couldn't cope, wasn't strong enough. I was completely exhausted by life and struggled to make the plans I knew were going to change my life for the better.
Enter THE Book!
And then I read THE book and it changed my life. I changed the way I looked at my past, realised that I had really been very successful in my past. I hadn't just survived all I had gone through I had successful gotten through it. I did not need to feel guilty about any of it.
Through reading the book I realised I did have the strength and the courage to take on the challenges that would create for me a life with purpose and meaning. That I could feel the fear of moving out of my comfort zone of hiding in my house away from a world that might judge me and into a wonderful new world full of promise.
So I took that leap. I sold my house in June of this year and on July 1st I moved from Scotland to East Sussex. And yesterday the bank agreed to lend me the money to start my own company, Toys to You Ltd, the idea for which was borne ten years ago when I was pregnant with my son, Jake.
My New Company
Toys to You is a unique and innovate Christmas party Santa gift service aimed at all childcare facilities. Our sales agents (I am currently recruiting staff) will take our toys to nurseries at prearranged times. Where staff get to play with them before making their selection. Once the toys are ordered and have been paid for. Toys to You couriers will deliver the toys to the childcare premises. All the toys will be gift wrapped and individually name labelled. They will be ready to pull straight from Santa's sack.
I took great pains over my business plan. I was extremely pleased when my bank manager said it was probably the best business plan he'd ever seen and I should go into business writing them! I've now entered it into handbag.com's business plan awards.
My business is going to be a success because I believe in me and I no longer hide from my problems, I face them and find solutions, often thinking quickly on my feet.
Looking to the Future
I will continue to carry out market research so I can grow and expand into other areas, such as birthday and graduation presents for nurseries as well as a gift wrapping service for anywhere that has a Santa's grotto where presents are given out to children. I welcome waking up each day as my life now has purpose. I am not just a mother, I am not just the mother of a child who almost died, I am not just the survivor of a violent relationship...I am a businesswoman and entrepreneur. I am a managing director of a company on the brink of success. And I am a mother of two wonderful children.
To paraphrase Goethe, I took that first step and the doors started opening for me.
I am so happy now. Thank you Fiona for writing that book. I truly am now my own life coach. And I am successful because I am me.
Best Regards
Julie Rae
