The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Battling personal adversity was spark to focus on helping others
Eachweek, weask smallbusinesses keyquestions. Herewespeakto SuzyBeaumont, personal development coachandfounder ofInvernessbasedChange YourWorldEvents
How and why did you start in business?
At 24, I retrained in media studies, doing work experience at the BBC in Aberdeen and finally securing a radio producer post in Inverness.
Twelve years ago, despite having a partner, a beautiful home and winning awards for my programmes, I was unhappy. My relationship wasn’t working, I was in debt and my physical health wasn’t great. I met life coach Alisdair Stewart and he inspired me to start working on myself to turn my life around.
My father died of cancer in 1999 and in 2010 my beautiful mum and sister were both diagnosed within four months of each other and sadly lost their fight to the disease too. With no other family support, this meant I was now carer, guardian and single mother to my other sister, Shelly, who has learning disabilities. I wouldn’t be here today without Alisdair’s continued support and life coaching.
Flash forward and with several years of personal development under my belt I realised that I wanted to help others. I recognised I could create something powerful by using my producer skills, together with my vast range of contacts and passion for personal development, to bring motivational speakers and health and wellbeing
professionals together for an inspirational conference.
Nine incredible speakers agreed to participate in my first Change Your World conference at Eden Court, Inverness in April 2017. It was a huge success, with 250 delegates, 12 hours of motivational talks and workshops and 20 exhibitors.
Who helped you?
Alisdair has been a rock-steady mentor, supporting me through all the meltdowns and crises of confidence. He is always there to remind me to hold my nerve whenever I feel fear and limiting beliefs creeping in.
My coaches and speakers have been an incredible support, while family and friends have also been amazing – allowing me space to pursue my passion and make my dreams a reality.
I’ve been very fortunate with the people I have employed to help build my website and market Change Your
World, not to mention the invaluable advice and support I have received from the Federation of Small Businesses.
What has been your biggest mistake?
Things may not always have gone as I had hoped, planned or expected but the experiences have always taken me forward. I suppose the big lessons for me are patience, learning to set realistic deadlines and not putting so much pressure on myself.
What is your greatest achievement?
If I were to focus on business there are two – my very first conference and Change Your World Every Day.
If you were in power in government, what would you change?
First, I would overhaul our education system and introduce personal development to the curriculum. Emotionally wounded children grow into emotionally wounded adults. We need to break the cycle.
I would overhaul our healthcare system
and give it a focus on wellness and the prevention of ill health. I would also ban fast food chains from being anywhere near schools and overhaul school menus.
Finally, I would cut the working week to a maximum of four days for everyone, go back to a time when everything was closed on Sundays and eradicate poverty.
What do you still hope to achieve?
My biggest vision is to set up Change Your World Wellness centres and have them in every major town and city. There would be a real focus on an integrated approach of mind, body and spirit to heal, using natural resources.
What do you do to relax?
I’ve recently taken up wild water swimming and cold water immersion therapy, which is an interesting process of self-discovery and learning about my mind and body’s limitations. Walking in Culloden woods and being in my garden are
the two things that bring me the most peace. What are you currently reading, listening to or glued to on the TV?
I’m reading The Five Powers by Stephen Fulder – one of my upcoming coaches – and listening to two other books in Audible: Letting Go by David R Hawkins; and How to Fight by
Thich Nhat Hanh. As for what I’m glued to, it’s the coaches in my online daily coaching group.
What do you waste your money on?
I used to waste lots of money on things in an attempt to make me feel happy. Now, my money goes on essentials and the rest on creating memories with my loved ones.
How would your friends describe you?
I hope they would
describe me as cheeky and at times completely bonkers, with a mischievous sense of humour. They would say I’m tenacious, sensitive, passionate, energising and ballsy. They’d probably also comment on my high moral compass and say I’m a person who will always help others.
What would your enemies say about you?
“Mybiggest visionistoset upChangeYour Worldwellness centres”
Life is way too short to be worrying about people who may have ill feelings towards me. That’s for them to work on. If I do have enemies, I wish them well and hope they can heal the wounded part in themselves they are projecting on to me.
What do you drive and dream of driving?
I drive a 2007 bashedup old Ford Fiesta that belonged to my mum. I’m not really one for aspirations about fancy cars, but I would really love to own a totally cruelty-free, environmentally friendly car that runs on natural resources and causes no pollution.