How Jemma beat her demons to be the boss of her successful firm
SHE IS A FINALIST IN NATIONAL AWARDS WHICH CELEBRATE INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN
A WOMAN from Swadlincote has overcome mental health issues to become her own boss and build a successful business.
She has now been named as a finalist in national awards celebrating inspirational women.
Jemma Broadstock, 25, said she has struggled with anxiety and panic attacks throughout her professional career, often making her working life a challenge.
Yet she powered through difficult periods to set up her own admin and social media support firm, Virtually Done, early last year. It has been an overwhelming success since its launch.
Jemma has now shared her unique and impressive story in Inspirational Women, Inspirational Lives, a book about successful women which is available to buy.
Jemma said: “I struggled awfully with anxiety when working for other people. I would sometimes have bad days and I’d drag myself to work, crying in my breaks; trying to hide my panic attacks.”
She went on: “It was awful and I lost multiple jobs over it because I was seen as someone who wasn’t reliable.
“By running my own business, I have eliminated my anxiety almost altogether and when I do have harder days, I can be more patient with myself because I can work the hours and days that feel good for me.
“I always thought I couldn’t be a business owner because I didn’t have the right background, financial situation, experience or skills.
“I told myself I didn’t have the resources I need. Now I know it’s not about resources, it’s about being resourceful with what you do have.
“I wouldn’t change any of the struggles I’ve been through in life because each taught me a lesson and made me stronger and more resilient. Those are things that help me now within my business.” Inspirational Women, Inspirational Lives aims to celebrate female achievers from across the country and raise money for burns survivors charity The Katie Piper Foundation.
Jemma was chosen to be featured after she was selected as a finalist for the 2020 Ladies First Network Awards, a prestigious event that champions the remarkable accomplishments of women in the UK.
The event will be held online this month due to Covid-19 restrictions, which stopped plans for an in-person ceremony last year.
She said: “It is a real privilege to feature alongside so many incredible women
“It was disappointing for all of us when the physical event was cancelled as we were really looking forward to getting together and celebrating our achievements.
“The book has been a great way to do that during lockdown.”
Jemma’s firm provides admin and social media support to small business owners who need an extra pair of hands, but wouldn’t necessarily benefit from a full-time member of staff.
She also offers mentoring for other entrepreneurs through one-to-one support, courses, and group programmes where she helps others to start or grow their own businesses.
Despite setting up her firm at a potentially difficult time, Jemma has had plenty of interest in Virtually Done and the support it provides amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Jemma said: “It seems that business owners have had the chance to sit down and reflect on how their business is running and have realised they need more support going forwards.
“There has also been a huge influx of people starting their own businesses because they have seen that their jobs don’t offer them the security and stability that they believed it did.
“I’ve seen many people use the time in lockdown to set up the business they’ve always dreamt about because they have enjoyed having time to be present with their families and they know that creating their own business could allow that.”
■■If you need mental health support:
■ CALM (0800 58 58 58) thecalm zone.net has a helpline for men who are down and who need to talk;
■ Depression Alliance depressionalliance.org;
■ The Sanctuary (0300 003 7029) helps people in crisis;
■ Havoca provides information to any adult who is suffering from past childhood abuse, www.havoca.org;
■ Samaritans (116 123) offers help every day of the year. Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. at
I struggled awfully with anxiety when working for other people. I lost multiple jobs over it.
Jemma Broadstock