In this episode, Gemma Holden, also known as Mrs. Mindset, shares her inspiring journey from public service to entrepreneurship. Gemma reflects on her challenging school days, her transition from hairdressing to working with children, and the eventual establishment of her childminding business, Little Gems. After experiencing burnout, she took a step back to focus on personal growth and self-discovery, which led her to become a coach and mentor. KEY TAKEAWAYS Recognising the importance of emotional well-being and taking time for self-reflection can lead to significant personal growth and improved mental health. This journey often involves uncovering past experiences and understanding their impact on current behaviour. Skills developed in various roles, such as hairdressing and childcare, are transferable to other areas of life and business. Building relationships, effective communication, and empathy are crucial in any profession, especially in coaching and mentoring. Acknowledging when burnout occurs is vital for maintaining passion and effectiveness in a caregiving role. Making the decision to step back from a business or job to prioritise personal well-being can lead to better outcomes for both the individual and those they serve. There is a significant need for emotional and mental well-being support for parents and children who are neurodivergent. Creating a supportive community and providing resources can help families navigate challenges and reduce feelings of isolation. Having a clear vision of what one wants to achieve in life and business is essential. Understanding the target audience and developing a strategic plan can help avoid the pitfalls of "winging it" and lead to more successful outcomes. BEST MOMENTS "I left school with no GCSEs at all. I was masking. I was pretending to be this child who was strong and didn't care about anything when actually inside I was a very emotional child." "I had to make the decision and say, right, OK, so I'm going to lose out on a lot of money here. I believe that when you're working in a care sector, you have to have that passion." "I decided that my business was doing really well. I had to tell them that, and then I got made redundant. And it was probably the best thing that happened to me." "It's about building relationships. It's about that communication and building relationships." "Having that clarity on that and understanding, do you know what? It is gonna be tough, but so are you." ABOUT THE HOST Donna is a Registered Nurse who has worked in the NHS for three decades. She brings you real-life stories from people in front-line public service roles. Some of the stories discuss war, terrorism, suicide, abuse, COVID, death, and vicarious moral injury, which may be triggering for some listeners. Alongside these are stories of joy, hope, empathy, and humanity, highlighting the positive impact individuals have made. Many of her guests have navigated career changes, found work-life balance, or transitioned into new roles, including charity work or entrepreneurship. If you have a story to share that could inspire others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. Inviting individuals from fire, police and probation services, healthcare, military, teaching, social services, local government, and civil service. https://www.facebook.com/share/1FjUrwC7qS https://www.lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk/ Email: Donna@lifeafterpublicservice.co.uk Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-bentley-carr This podcast features real-life stories from frontline public service workers, covering tough topics such as war, trauma and loss, and may be triggering to some listeners. Guests also share their tales of everyday heroism, inspiring joy, hope, empathy and humanity. If you have a story to share that could encourage others seeking change or additional income, please get in touch. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/