Athena Magazine Issue 3 - May 2025

MAY 2025 • ISSUE NO. 03

CAN PERSONAL STYLING HELP YOU REDISCOVER WHO YOU ARE?

HOW WOMEN CAN BUILD WEALTH & FINANCIAL SECURITY

THE CHALLENGES AND BENEFITS OF NEURODIVERGENCE

A NEW VISION

How a tragic accident led a photographer to view life through a completely new lens. www.athenamagazine.co.uk

Design. Dedication. Detail.

Award-winning Brand, Design, Advertising and Events Consultants

Established 1974 by Creative Director Glen Denning MSIAD, Denning Design is now led by daughter, award-winning Creative Director, Anthea Denning-Renshaw MCSD. Anthea has over 20 years London based experience in publishing and design. Creating and directing considered and stunning solutions within the corporate and retail sectors.

With meticulous attention to detail, we pride ourselves on delivering visually striking and on-brand projects. Working effectively and efficiently to deliver creative excellence on time and within budget.

Anthea Denning-Renshaw 07977 208351 anthea@denningdesign.co.uk

denningdesign.co.uk

Spring is in full swing here in Devon and the weather is delightful. What a difference those lighter evenings have made, too. Plus, everything suddenly feels alive again and bursting with renewed energy, even us! We hope you are feeling more energised too.

and inspiring other women through their incredible stories of resilience.

In this issue of Athena magazine, we once again explore the inspiring stories of local women who are breaking barriers, building incredible businesses

Being a woman in business isn’t easy but when we put ourselves in environments where we feel inspired, supported and uplifted, everything feels a little easier. It’s about giving ourselves the best possible chance to thrive and the way we do that is through building a genuine community and a network of support. Keep on building!

Stacey

Fran

www.athenamagazine.co.uk hello@athenamagazine.co.uk

Photos by Becky Craven

@athenamagazinedevon @athenamagazinedevon

ATHENA MAGAZINE | 03

Want a printed copy of Athena Magazine?

Since we launched Athena Magazine, one question that has come up again and again is whether it is possible to get a printed copy of the magazine.

Our long-term vision is to regularly get copies printed and distributed in schools, colleges, Universities, libraries and community spaces, but we’d also love to be able to sell physical copies of the magazine to readers. The only thing standing in our way is the cost of printing.

The more we speak to people, the more apparent it has become that many of you are willing to pay a subscription fee to have a physical copy of the magazine delivered to you. And we love this idea just as much as you do.

So if you are interested in signing up to subscribe to Athena Magazine and receive a physical copy three times a year, please register your interest by emailing hello@athenamagazine.co.uk.

04 | ATHENA MAGAZINE

Donate and help us to inspire the next generation of women in business

We are still working to get Athena Magazine printed and distributed to local secondary schools, libraries and community spaces.

We’d like to reach women and girls who aren't in spaces where they are exposed to entrepreneurship so they can see what is possible and available to them and what support they can get. We have set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds to do this, and if every reader donated just £5 it would really help us to make this a reality.

https://gofund.me/e86a8723

By contributing to this GoFundMe campaign, you are helping us print and distribute our magazine for free in community spaces across Devon, including libraries, schools, and coworking spaces, to reach female entrepreneurs. Any funds remaining after printing costs will be used to support other areas of the magazine, such as advertising to expand our reach. We are committed to transparency and will provide updates on how donations are spent. Please note that all contributions are final, and while we aim to distribute widely, we cannot guarantee specific locations or quantities. Thank you for supporting women in business!

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EDITOR Stacey Sheppard DEPUTY EDITOR Stacey Sheppard & Fran Minifie SUB-EDITOR Stacey Sheppard & Fran Minifie PROOFREADERS Stacey Sheppard & Fran Minifie CREATIVE DIRECTOR Fran Minifie & Stacey Sheppard STYLE DIRECTOR Fran Minifie & Stacey Sheppard ART DIRECTOR Fran Minifie & Stacey Sheppard PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Fran Minifie PRODUCTION MANAGERS Stacey Sheppard & Fran Minifie

Co-Founders Fran & Stacey wearing ALL the hats

ADVERTISING MANAGERS Stacey Sheppard & Fran Minifie

Subscribe to our newsletter for more news and latest issues delivered to your inbox: www.athenamagazine.co.uk

SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGERS Stacey Sheppard & Fran Minifie CIRCULATION MANAGERS Stacey Sheppard & Fran Minifie CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Fran Minifie PR & MARKETING DIRECTORS Stacey Sheppard & Fran Minifie COVER DESIGN Stacey Sheppard & Fran Minifie COVER MODEL Charlie Flounders 06 | ATHENA MAGAZINE

Send your press releases to us, or send a proposal for an article: hello@athenamagazine.co.uk Book advertising space in our next issue or book your directory listing: hello@athenamagazine.co.uk

Table of Contents 3

Ed’s Letter

53

Back to the Body

4

Want a printed magazine?

57

From Nowhere to Everywhere

5

Donate to our GoFundMe

60

Why I Joined Six Degrees

8

Be the Light

63

Networking Events Listing

11

Bridging the AI Gender Gap

64

Brewed for Beauty

17

Losing Sight, Gaining Vision

66

Discover Dartmoor

25

Styled for Success

69

Curry in a Hurry

30

Designed for Difference

73

Book Review

39

Why We Need to Challenge Maternal Guilt

74

Where to Find Business Support

44

The Health of our Wealth

76

Business Directory

48

The Women Banking on Investment

80

Success Without Sacrifice

ATHENA MAGAZINE | 07

Be the Light

When the world feels dark, shine even brighter.

There’s no sugar-coating it. The world feels incredibly dark and heavy right now.

We’re watching war unfold in real time, not just in Ukraine and Gaza, but now there is conflict along the border of India and Pakistan, too. Our social media feeds echo with news of bombings, rising death tolls, and humanitarian crises. The climate crisis escalates, the threat of cyber-attacks looms, and AI is evolving faster than we can ethically regulate. At the same time, women’s rights are being rolled back, the LGBTQI+ community continues to face dangerous pushback, and men and boys are in crisis. All the while, we’re still trying to run businesses, care for our families, and keep it all together.

It’s a lot. So, if you’ve felt more anxious, numb, angry, or overwhelmed than usual, you’re not alone. This dark moment in time is asking a lot from us.

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You may feel like the darkness is spreading and that you need to fight back — but darkness, as we know, doesn’t truly exist. It’s simply the absence of light. So maybe the question isn’t how you fight the dark, but how you, individually, choose to shine brighter.

You may not have the power to create global change, but that doesn’t mean you are powerless. Whilst you cannot free the world from darkness, you can choose to shine brighter right where you are. In your home, in your business, in your communities and in your conversations.

So here is my invitation to you. A personal and collective challenge to choose light over cynicism, fear, outrage or apathy. To amplify what is good and beautiful and kind. To create sparks of hope that remind others it’s still safe to dream, still worth trying, still possible to change something. I invite you to be the light.

So, what does it look like to be the light?

When you share your unique light, bit by bit. you light up the lives of those around you.

Maybe it’s giving sincere compliments without caveats and watching them land like sunlight. Or perhaps it’s holding the door open (for real and – Rebecca Campbell metaphorically) to create opportunities for others to shine. Maybe it’s telling someone the good you see in them so you can be a mirror reflecting their brilliance. Or perhaps it’s holding back judgment so you don’t dim someone else’s light with your shadow.

There’s no one way to be the light. But there is your way. So, I invite you, gently, wholeheartedly, to ask yourself: What does light look like when you share it?

Where could your light be most needed right now? What could you shine into the world, knowing that every glimmer matters?

Because it does.

And when enough of us choose to be the light, the world can’t help but shift.

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Bridging the AI Gender Gap

Stacey Sheppard explores women’s underrepresentation in generative AI usage and asks why we need to address this imbalance.

hen open AI released ChatGPT W in November 2022, my alarm bells

immediately started to ring. The more I learnt about the capabilities of large language models and generative AI, the more I realised that my entire career was at risk. As a professional writer and content creator who makes a living writing for brands and businesses, it became

very clear to me that AI could now do this work for my clients, but in a fraction of the time and for free.

Needless to say, I started to panic somewhat.

But I’d been here before. Twenty years ago, when I was working as a Staff Writer at a magazine publisher, we saw the entire industry ATHENA MAGAZINE | 11

threatened by the rise of blogs. Back then I chose to see this as a massive opportunity and a way to democratise the publishing industry allowing anyone who had something to say to build an audience and create a career for themselves, bypassing the traditional gatekeepers of the publishing industry.

In 2009, I decided to start my own blog and figure out how I could make this opportunity work for me. Fast forward 16 years, and my blog has been one of the top 10 interior design blogs in the UK for the past 13 years, making me a full-time living on my terms.

Understanding Disruptive Technology When AI appeared on the scene, I did the same again and started to learn as much as I could about this scary new technology that was threatening to completely disrupt the world of work and our private lives too. If this was the future, I wanted to know how we can use it, what it is capable of, what the threats are and just how I need to adapt so that I can benefit and not get left behind.

After lots of reading, many courses, and hours and hours of experimenting and testing, I realised that the people who get onboard with this technology and learn to use it to improve their workflows, processes and procedures will indeed have a competitive advantage. Those who decide to ignore it risk losing out and falling behind very quickly. The speed of change right now is quite frankly petrifying but we cannot simply ignore where this is going.

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The Business Case for Using AI As a writer, brand marketer and digital content creator, I realised the immense opportunity that existed for small business owners and particularly solopreneurs to expand their marketing capacity by using AI and getting the support that they simply couldn’t afford to pay for otherwise.

Of course, people fear the consequences for industry professionals who are now left competing with AI. Just as professional photographers were scared when photography went digital and Photoshop disrupted the industry. But industries adapt, and we have to adapt, too. Technological advancements rarely go backwards, so we either advance with it, or face the consequences. Yes, many jobs will disappear because of AI, but many more will be created in the process.

But never has it been more important that we, as women, get on board. AI has the potential to not only transform productivity, but to reduce inequality by helping historically underserved groups across the world. This includes women, who still face institutional, career, and cultural barriers that prevent them from gaining the valuable skills and knowledge needed to succeed at work.

However, it also has the potential to reinforce gender inequality if it is not equally adopted by men and women. So, we’re at a pivotal moment in time.

The Challenges of AI Adoption In August 2024, research published in a journal called Economic Letters shared the results of data captured in the Survey of Consumer Expectations. The data showed that 50% of men are currently using generative AI tools, compared to just 37% of women. This isn’t a new trend.

We’ve seen it before as it has played out in stark differences in the use of financial technology between men and women. Just as the ‘fintech gender gap’ has resulted in huge disparities between pay and job opportunities for men and women, AI poses the same risk.

One of the most interesting findings from this research is that the gender gap in the use of AI technologies is not driven by demographic characteristics such as race, age, income, or education. Instead, almost three-quarters of the gap is driven by the respondent’s selfassessed knowledge of generative AI. The remainder of the gap is driven by gender differences in attitudes towards privacy and trust and the potential negative consequences of sharing data.

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A similar report was published earlier this year by Harvard Business Review. The report collated data from 18 other studies covering more than 140,000 individuals worldwide, as well as data collected from popular generative AI platforms on the breakdown of their user base by gender. Globally, between November 2022 and May 2024, 42% of the roughly 200 million average monthly users who engaged with the ChatGPT website were women, 42.4% of Perplexity users were women, and just 31.2% of Anthropic users were women.

The report found that the gender gap in generative AI usage holds across nearly all regions, sectors, and occupations. It too revealed a consistent gender gap with women being 20% less likely than men to directly engage with this new technology.

Bridging the Gender Gap Part of the reason for this is a lack of access. Women typically work in different types of companies, jobs, and occupations than men, so they may be less exposed to this new technology. This could be further exacerbated by the gendered differences in women’s personal and professional networks, further limiting diffusion and learning.

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The report suggests that even when presented with opportunities to use the technology, women may resist due to the greater risk of being penalized or perceived as “cheating” when they choose to use generative AI tools.

If we do manage to increase uptake amongst women, this may help shrink the gender gap, but it is unlikely to fully close it. Women may still be disadvantaged by the fact that these generative AI systems are trained on biased data, including data from their predominantly male users.

The Risks of Inaction The authors of the report warn that if the global gender gap is left to persist it could lead to a selfreinforcing cycle: “Women’s underrepresentation in generative AI usage would lead to systems trained on data that inadequately sample women’s preferences and needs, ultimately widening existing gender disparities in technology adoption and economic opportunity.”

Basically, if less women are using the system, it is being programmed by men, making it more likely to disproportionately benefit male users.

If policy makers, and managers don’t take action to address the gender imbalance in the usage of generative AI technology, not only will existing gender gaps be entrenched, but they could potentially be widened.

If this happens, the authors of the report state that society will miss out on the work, inventions, and ideas that women would have produced with this new technology had they been using it. And the world needs our inventions and ideas, so let’s get to work.

Resources to Learn About AI Whilst the thought of using AI may be overwhelming, the process doesn’t need to be. There are plenty of resources out there, to help women bridge the gender gap in AI. Here are just a few: Founderz X Microsoft AI Skills 4 Women Women Go Tech AI Foundations Programme MinnaLearn and University of Helsinki Elements of AI Small Business Britain AI For Small Business OpenAI Academy Google AI

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Mini Brand Shoots only £50 At The Tribe Coworks Fri 20th June Fri 10th Oct Get a selection of pictures for your business held at this beautiful coworking space near Totnes, Devon

For more info and booking visit: www.franminifiephotography.co.uk/mini-brand-shoots-at-the-tribe

www.franminifiephotography.co.uk or search ‘fran minifie photography’ on social media

Losing Sight, Gaining Vision

Stacey Sheppard learns how a tragic accident sparked a bold new future.

22nd August 2024. A date that Charlie Flounders will never forget. She’d flown to Germany to work on an industrial ship as a commercial photographer.

What was supposed to be a fun international job, very quickly became an unimaginable nightmare. In a freak accident, Charlie sustained severe facial injuries including multiple broken bones in her nose, cheek, and eye socket.

“I was airlifted to a local hospital and sent straight into emergency surgery.

They told me they couldn't see an eyeball in the socket, so to expect to wake up without one,” recounts Charlie. “It turns out it was in there, and the incredible surgeon managed to reconstruct my eyeball, but no working parts were left inside it.”

ATHENA MAGAZINE | 17

Creative Calling

Picking up the Pieces

For a successful professional photographer and videographer, becoming completely blind in one eye was a blow to a career that had taken real courage to build in the first place.

But all that changed in seconds and through no fault of her own. When Charlie returned from Germany, the reality of her new situation hit hard. With several weddings and commercial shoots booked, she faced the daunting task of rescheduling or finding other photographers, all while worrying about how she would maintain her income as there was no plan for losing an eye.

“In 2019, I stuck it to the corporate man, left my well-paid career, and set up my photography business,” says Charlie. Fast-forward to 2025, she was running two brands: Charlie Flounders Photography, specialising in weddings, and Firefly Productions for businesses. Both were thriving and on a growth trajectory. “Building that creative business was more abundant and rewarding than I ever dreamt would be achievable,” says Charlie proudly.

“I pay half of everything in our household, and there is no big savings pot or other income to fall back on to replace this. I had no income protection insurance. So, I was really scared about what that meant for our future”.

Emotional Healing The practicalities were nothing in comparison to the emotional adjustments that were required following such a harrowing and traumatic accident. Luckily for Charlie, she had specialised support immediately following the accident.

“I had my sister by my side, who dropped everything and flew out to Germany to be with me,” she says.

“She's a military crisis medic, so she was the best person to share that time with. I don't know what I'd have done without her.”

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It wasn’t until she got back to Devon that everything really started to sink in. “It took four months of processing, crying, sleeping, talking, yoga, and being as gentle and kind to myself as I possibly could, before I could start to look forwards. In that initial stage I couldn’t see much beyond the day or moment I was in. There were a lot of days when I doubted that I'd ever be able to feel joy again.”

choices. She could either go back home and stay there forever where it felt safe - but completely lose her independence. Or feel scared about everything but do it anyway.

Going Back to Basics

“My body felt better, so I was out more, in nature, around other people and feeding from the energy of what was around me. My mind felt better because I was proving that I could do the scary things and that I could consciously rewire my neural pathways and teach myself to feel ‘safe’ again.”

It's unsurprising that Charlie felt that way given that she had to relearn how to do almost everything. She says: “All tasks in life that were second nature to me now had to be relearned to do with one eye. My depth perception had changed entirely, and a large part of my previous field of view, on my right-hand side, just doesn't exist in my outward view anymore.”

So, Charlie set herself a challenge: to do as many scary things as possible. She knew that facing her fears would soon make them feel manageable again, and that confidence would follow. And it did.

Charlie quickly realised just how scary it had become being out in the world again. The process of adjusting to the limitations of her sight loss, such as relearning to drive and even to walk, was daunting.

Doing it Scared It was apparent that she had two ATHENA MAGAZINE | 19

Sharing this journey so publicly has been a very intentional decision and one that has had unexpected results. “I've really tried to lean into the sadness, darkness, and anger of what happened and process it healthily. This is something I've felt challenging in the past, so I really wanted to do this one ‘right’ and not surpress it all and risk it affecting me for years to come,” she explains.

Navigating Trauma For everyone who knows Charlie, and follows her on social media, watching her journey, how she has navigated the trauma, and the sheer resilience with which she has risen again has been nothing short of inspirational. It has been very clear that Charlie was not about to let this beat her or define her and that this is not the end of her story.

It is simply a plot twist that she has been navigating with fierce bravery, graceful compassion and a whole heap of determination.

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“For this reason, I've been super open to sharing my journey and sharing the light and shadow of my experience. Connection has been the hugest healer for me. I've allowed myself to be vulnerable something else I previously hadn’t been great at - and it's brought the most beautiful floods of support, love, healing, and hope.”

She has also turned to holistic tools and practices to help herself heal such as sound healing, acupuncture, meditation, yoga, and somatic therapies. She says: “Letting myself cry and scream and rage has been something that I've learned to do. As young girls, we're taught that ‘good girls’ don't lose their composure and uncontrollably sob, but sometimes that's all our bodies really need to do.”

Lessons Learnt As Charlie embarks on her new journey, she has been confronted with many lessons. She has learnt to acknowledge that it doesn't all have to feel good. She understands that she will now always walk through life holding hands with both fear and excitement. “I didn't appreciate how all these conflicting emotions could live together,” she admits. “So many of us are walking through life with sadness and joy co-existing in the same moments.”

She has also had to come to terms with looking physically different and with losing an identity that was

so wrapped up in her career, which she says has been heartbreaking.

But finding comfort in community has helped her to navigate these turbulent waters and weather the storm. “I've surrounded myself with amazing businesswomen who are all pushing to make a difference and create change in their own businesses. Sharing my fears and challenges with them, drawing on their advice, and feeling their energy has helped me to look forward, make some decisions and move towards what I'd like from life next.”

Photography by Lucinda P Photography ATHENA MAGAZINE | 21

A Story to be Shared And what might that look like?

“Going through an experience like this has given me a special kind of wisdom, and I feel that so many other people could benefit from hearing my story and understanding that they too can survive whatever they are going through, even if it feels insurmountable at the time.”

In the days following her accident, as she laid in a German hospital bed, Charlie looked online for other people who had suffered a similar fate and were further along the journey. “I wanted to understand what it was going to be like, and mainly that I was going to be OK,” she says. “I couldn't find anyone in the UK talking about this stuff.

There's so much support out there for people who have been completely blinded, but next to none for people who have lost one eye. So, I'd love to share my story to help others going through something similar.”

A New Mission Charlie may have partially lost her sight, but she now has a bold new vision for the future. “I want to turn my lifequake into something positive,” she shares.

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Her new mission is to help educate the world about partial sight loss, to campaign for rights for the partially sighted, to educate employers on how to support people back into work after lifechanging trauma or injuries, and to become a motivational speaker.

But she won’t be abandoning photography, it might just look slightly different in future as she sets out to educate other photographers to help speed up their journey to success.

“I will never stop using my cameras, but I'm looking forward to using them for good on projects that shine a light on the amazing work that other local businesses are doing.”

Words of Wisdom And is there any advice that Charlie wants to share for other women who may be navigating personal and professional setbacks and transitions at the moment?

“Go inward and feel all the feelings without suppressing them. Be gentle with yourself, take the time you need, and surround yourself with positivity. Share your story, connect with others, be open and vulnerable, accept support, and embrace the fear of doing hard things. By giving yourself time and being gentle, you’ll slowly build the energy to tackle the hard things.

Courage comes from feeling scared and doing it anyway.”

Photography by Fran Minifie

Charlie Flounders www.charlieflounders.com @charlieflounders ATHENA MAGAZINE | 23

Styled for Success When you lose your sense of self, can personal styling help you rediscover who you are?

By Chantelle Znideric et’s be real. Life as a woman L comes with its fair share of twists and turns. One moment, you’re balancing a career and family, and the next, you’re navigating the changes that come with ageing, perimenopause, or menopause.

Somewhere along the way, it’s easy to feel like you’ve lost a bit of yourself. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many women go through phases where their identity feels a little blurred - but the good news is, it’s always possible to reconnect with who you are.

Disconnection & Discomfort Over time, the pressures of life can cause us to forget about ourselves, and the changes in our bodies can lead to feelings of disconnection and discomfort. However, this period of transition can also offer a powerful opportunity to rediscover, reinvent, and embrace the next phase of our lives.

Photography by Rosie Parsons

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I have experienced motherhood, career transitions and launching my business, relocating and navigating a lengthy menopause - all have been challenging. However, reassessing my wardrobe and adapting my style to suit these changes has been incredibly rewarding, helping me feel more confident as I navigated these different stages of my life.

The truth is, we should see these challenges not as obstacles, but as opportunities for a positive transformation. For many women, embracing change, including the changes in their personal style, can signal the start of something extraordinary. Personal style, often overlooked, can be a powerful tool to regain confidence, reconnect with your true self, and embrace your evolving identity.

Style as a Reflection As a personal stylist with 20 years’ experience, working with careerdriven women, I know that style is about far more than just clothes; it’s a reflection of who we are at any given moment.

Style is a powerful tool that can be used to increase confidence and personal growth. When you feel good in what you wear, you hold yourself differently, you feel more attractive and confident, so why wouldn’t you want to look and feel 26 | ATHENA MAGAZINE

Photography by Rosie Parsons

like this every day, even if you’re working from home, or spending the day with the kids?

Realising new Opportunities For many women, especially those in business, style is a bold expression of their personal identity, energy, values, and readiness to take on their next chapter. They’re not stuck they're evolving, understanding the market, realising new opportunities, staying modern and dynamic to keep things fresh and exciting.

1

3 Top Tips for Embracing Your Next Phase Prioritise Comfort and Colour

As we experience changes in our bodies, comfort becomes a priority, but that doesn’t mean sacrificing style. Firstly, invest in well-fitting, flattering clothes in fabrics that move with you and feel nice to wear. Fabrics can get overlooked, but the ones that feel great against your skin are the ones you’ll wear often. Secondly, incorporate more colour. Start by introducing more coloured or printed tops into your wardrobe to showcase your vibrancy and energy and convey an inner confidence you didn’t know you had.

Embrace Your Evolving Style

2

Life changes, and so should your wardrobe. Let go of the past and move on to exciting pastures. Don’t be afraid of letting go of clothing that makes you feel dull and boring. Instead, focus on items in your wardrobe that make you feel fabulous. Then create new and exciting outfits around these pieces. Whether you’re entering menopause, navigating motherhood, or simply evolving in your career, let your style reflect the woman you are now.

3

Celebrate Your Individuality

The transition to a new phase of life can come with challenges, but it's important to be kind to yourself. Embrace the wisdom and strength that come with experience, rather than clinging to ideals you had in the past. This is your time to rediscover you by accepting who you are, the body you have, and your natural style. Carefully curating a wardrobe and implementing the right tools that empower you to step into your next chapter with positivity, impact and confidence will be life-changing. It is not about returning to who you were, but embracing who you are becoming. So, step forward and be seen, dress with intention, and let the world witness the empowered, confident woman you are.

ATHENA MAGAZINE | 27

Photography by Rosie Parsons

I supported Faye and Jacob, founders of Beevive, by styling and dressing them authentically for their TV debut as they pitched their business on Dragon’s Den. My job was to dress them for success so they could focus on their all-important pitch. Being comfortable, confident and collected enabled them to own the stage, do their thing, and achieve their BEST possible outcome!

https://personal-stylist.co.uk @chantelleznideric 28 | ATHENA MAGAZINE

It started with a Zoom call to understand their style and personal preferences. I then curated their outfit selections online and gave them some fab options to choose from.

STRIBE the Online Personal Stylist Subscription for Time-Poor Women To help support you, Chantelle is giving you 1 FREE month of STRIBE – Your Online Personal Stylist! Get affordable styling, handpicked clothing items and personalised style advice every month.

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STRIBE is an online personal stylist subscription for time-poor women who are stuck in a rut and want style inspiration. We provide shoppable outfits, handpicked items and tailored style advice to achieve effortless style, and confidence every day. www.stribestyle.com ATHENA MAGAZINE | 29

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Illustration by Amy Chadney

Designed for Difference

Stacey Sheppard explores the realities of being a neurodivergent woman and the support systems that are in place to help navigate work and life.

Jemma Pimlott was 47 years old when she received her NHS diagnosis of combined type ADHD (hyperactive and inattentive). What she had previously attributed to the effects of workplace stress, motherhood and latterly perimenopause, was in fact undiagnosed neurodivergence. “I had suspected I was neurodivergent for many years,” says Jemma, explaining that it wasn’t until she found her old school reports that she realised she’d been navigating this since she was young.

Mid-life Diagnoses

Jemma Pimlott, Life Admin Hive Photography by Fran Minifie

“I found the diagnosis mixed initially, mostly grief and sadness that not having this information before now has led to so much stress and upset for me. After processing that, I have found it to be affirming and validating, and it has enabled me to be more self-compassionate than I have ever been,” explains Jemma.

Jemma is not alone in her situation. Clare Beach was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD in 2021, and as a woman of nearly 50 years old, she can also add the joys of perimenopause to the mix, which she is discovering has many overlapping symptoms with ADHD. ATHENA MAGAZINE | 31

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Clare Beach, Founder, Azura Events

Clare realised that she was neurodivergent after she became a mother. “I had been through many years of supporting and advocating for my daughter's Autism, sensory processing disorder and ADHD diagnosis. I realised I had many of the same or similar traits and challenges. It was a series of several lightbulb moments as pieces of the jigsaw puzzle began to fall into place.”

Women Present Differently There has been a surge in recent years of mid-life women receiving a diagnosis for various types of neurodivergence, from autism and ADHD, to dyslexia, dyspraxia, and Tourette's syndrome. Alex Kelly is the founder and director of WayMakers, a social enterprise in North Devon delivering neurodiversity-related support to individuals, small groups, businesses and VCSE organisations. She puts this down to a very male-centric narrative, arising from very male-centric studies and diagnostic criteria.

She says: “Since girls and women tend to present in ways that don’t align with that narrative or criteria, their needs have been dismissed, misunderstood or misattributed for decades – or maybe for their entire lives. They may have been mislabelled as anxious, moody, ‘too sensitive’, or daydreamers.”

Often the clues were ignored, and Alex explains that it wasn’t until an emotional breakdown or dramatic change in behaviour occurred that a girl or woman might be labelled ‘hysterical’, or given a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, depression, an eating disorder, personality disorder – or maybe the whole lot.

Behind the Mask Amy Chadney, a confidence coach and artist who empowers neurodivergent entrepreneurs and supports peri/menopausal women in the workplace agrees.

“From early childhood, girls are socially conditioned to be pleasing, accommodating, and emotionally intelligent - basically, to mask our ATHENA MAGAZINE | 33

neurodivergent traits without even realising we're doing it.”

This masking doesn’t come without a cost, explains Amy: “The exhaustion of constantly monitoring your facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, and conversation topics while simultaneously processing sensory overload? It's like running a marathon every single day that nobody else can see.”

Executive Disfunction

Alex Kelly, Founder, Waymakers

What hides behind the mask is often executive disfunction, which shows up in so many ways, both in the workplace and in life in general. For Jemma, time blindness means often being late despite preparing well in advance, procrastination that keeps her stuck in a loop or unable to start certain tasks, hyperfocus that sees her overly invested in a task and unable to stop, internal hyperactivity that comes with exhausting hypervigilance and overthinking, and overstimulation that comes from living in a house full of noisy kids.

“I have systems at home that help,” explains Jemma, “I use easy filing systems and white boards and I WhatsApp myself and then transfer my notes to my diary at night when I sit down after tea. I use our Google smart hub to set reminders, to set alarms and to find my phone at least twice a day. I use a visual timer to enable me to start tasks I have been putting off by doing 20 minutes that I can see decreasing on the timer easily. I use 'tile' trackers on things I lose often.”

The struggles that Jemma has experienced and the many strategies that she has devised to keep her life on track have led her to start her own business. The Life Admin Hive is a membership group offering a supportive community, practical tools, and weekly online coworking sessions to help manage life admin with confidence and ease.

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Clarity from Coaching For women needing 1:1 support there are various options available. Nicola Haswell is an ADHD Coach and the founder of Chapter Business Support, a Devon-based business specialising in neuro-affirming services that empower entrepreneurs to overcome ADHD-related business challenges, such as time management, strategic planning and productivity.

She says: “Support comes in many shapes and sizes and looks different for each individual.

"Sometimes all they need are headphones and a foot rocker. For some people, it's the freedom to get up and walk about, go for five minutes to a different space and come up to the surface. For others, it looks more structured like a 30minute session to chat through priorities and to organise each day so they know exactly what's going on with diary blocking. It's definitely not a one-size-fits-all approach.”

Nicola Haswell, Chapter Business Support

Thriving in the Workplace When it comes to thriving in the workplace, whether you are employed or work for yourself, it’s important to find what works for you. Alex says: “Play to your strengths, and follow routines or habits that your brain and body like. Be flexible, and be prepared to change things as you, or things around you, change. Also, don’t try to do everything - do what energises you.

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“If you’ve got the right people around you, ask for support. Especially when it comes to outsourcing or delegating the things that can derail you. And try to be kind to yourself, allow your unique needs to be validated: don’t apologise for needing different tools to succeed.”

Clare decided to work for herself when she realised that her Misophonia, a condition that creates a disproportionate emotional response to everyday sounds, made it particularly difficult to work in an open-plan office environment. “It is certainly not a coincidence that I work independently from home and with a remote team”, says Clare, explaining that she finds it less overwhelming because it is quiet and her energy isn’t all used up trying to cope with stimuli she cannot control.

Working from home also means she can oversee her routine and manage her energy highs and lows, although she says she’s not particularly great at doing that. “I throw myself into projects – literally eat, breathe and sleep them – to the extent that my family and colleagues often remind me to eat, drink, exercise and go to the loo as I will forget due to hyperfocus and neurodivergent interoception.”

Neurodivergent Strengths Amy believes we should stop making neurodivergent women squeeze themselves into neurotypical boxes and start celebrating the kaleidoscope of human cognition. She says: “The support we need isn't about ‘fixing’ what was never broken - it's about creating environments where our brilliance can actually shine.” The real revolution, she says, is moving beyond basic accommodation into genuine celebration.

“Imagine workplaces where the unique strengths of neurodivergent women – our creativity, our pattern recognition, our passionate focus – are actively sought out rather than suppressed. That's not just good for us; it's good for everyone. The world doesn't need more conformity – it needs the electric spark that comes from truly diverse thinking,” she insists.

“The authenticity we bring to professional spaces can be revolutionary,” she continues. “We ask the questions nobody else will ask. Our ability to question established practices, imagine alternative approaches, and think outside conventional frameworks isn't just a nice addition – it's essential for any organisation that wants to avoid stagnation.

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“And let's celebrate how our lived experiences often cultivate deep empathy and understanding of diverse human needs. This translates into more inclusive design, more compassionate leadership, and workplaces where everyone can experience more joy. Your neurodivergent perspective isn't just valuable - it's absolutely vital to creating a world that works better for everyone,” says Amy.

Find Your Tribe Sarah Field is a mentor for neuroquirky women and runs Find Your Tribe, a community where women can come together to connect, share experiences, and find support among others who truly understand their journey. She says: “Find Your Tribe brings together women who experience the world in a uniquely wonderful way, regardless of diagnosis. It provides understanding and support alongside practical guidance.”

Sarah Field, Founder, Infinite Ability

Connecting with others is something that Amy values too. “Please, find your people! Connect with other neurodivergent women who understand your experience without explanation. There's nothing more liberating than the moment you realise you're not alone, not broken, and not the problem and have cheerleaders supporting you.”

She continues: “Remember this truth: your different way of experiencing and processing the world isn't something to overcome – it's your greatest asset. In a world of photocopies, you're an original. That's not just beautiful - it's powerful.”

Jemma Pimlott Life Admin Hive @lifeadminhive

Nicola Haswell Chapter Online @ChapterOnline

Sarah Field Infinite Ability @InfiniteAbility

Clare Beech Azura Events @Azura Events

Alex Kelly WayMakers @WayMakers_uk

Amy Chadney empowerher.uk.com @amy.indiebrandbuilder

ATHENA MAGAZINE | 37

Why we need to challenge maternal guilt

By Belinda Jane Batt, The Flourishing Mother Almost 90% of mothers experience guilt at some point, according to a 2017 study by baby brand NUK. To verify that now somewhat outdated figure, I recently conducted my own poll of almost 100 mothers and the result was almost identical: 86% of those surveyed had experienced guilt since becoming mothers, with 57% admitting to experiencing it “a lot.”

Worryingly, three in four of those surveyed said the experience of maternal guilt had negatively impacted their wellbeing.

Why is guilt so problematic for modern mothers?

One explanation is the increasing number of mothers in paid employment. It wasn’t until the 1970s that women finally ‘earned’ the right to work outside of the home. However, the concept of the working mother who was ‘free’ to parent and work as she chose turned out to be a false emancipation, because the society that mothers were operating in was – and still is – strongly upheld by traditional patriarchal family values and ideology.

For most women, the opportunity to work was not accompanied by relief from the burden of responsibilities in the home. Working outside the home, therefore, meant taking on another job on top of their existing job of mother/homemaker – heaping extra pressure upon mothers who worked.

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In the latter half of the twentieth century, at the same time more mothers were entering the workforce, certain harmful ideologies criticised the notion of mothers working, thus creating the perfect conditions for maternal guilt to develop.

Bowlby’s attachment theory unhelpfully used mothers going to work as an example of separation distress in infants. Hays’s intensive mothering ideology stressed the need for mothers to not only be physically present with their children 24/7 but also to devote themselves entirely to the fulfilment of their children’s needs. Both cemented the idea that mothers who worked were not putting their children’s needs first, and that doing anything outside of the role of “mother,” whether engaging in paid work or self-care, was unacceptable.

For many women, the pressure to be a good mother and a good worker is too great to bear, as evidenced by the staggering 85% of mothers in the UK who leave the full-time workforce within three years of having their first child, with 19% leaving altogether.1 There is also a 32% drop off of female employees at managerial level after becoming mothers,2 and it can be no coincidence that the gender pay gap is greatest when women are aged 40-493- precisely the age most mothers are managing the juggle of work and parenting young children.

For many women, the pressure to be a good mother and a good worker is too great to bear.

The Motherhood Penalty Sociologists have coined the phrase “motherhood penalty” to describe the disadvantages career women experience after having children. According to Joeli Brearley in her book of the same name, “Guilt is a key contributor to the motherhood penalty.”

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My own research into maternal guilt has led me to conclude that in trying – and, inevitably, ‘failing’ – to meet the impossibly high standards of “perfect motherhood” that society (and now regrettably also social media) sets for them, women enter a toxic cycle of guilt and shame which prevents them from flourishing in motherhood, work or life.

Yet despite all this, and the fact mothers make up half the workforce, there is a staggering lack of support and understanding from employers when women return from maternity leave.

Remind yourself that motherhood is hard, and there is no such thing as perfect.

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What needs to change?

Companies need to do more than just pay lip service to flexible working arrangements for working parents.

Returning mothers need supportive line managers who understand the challenge mothers face in trying to be fully present at home and at work.

Workplaces need family-friendly career returner policies with senior leader buy-in, championing the uptake of shared parental leave.

Conversations with working parents must start earlier, and access to support services such as coaching can be hugely valuable in helping women navigate the huge transition of returning to work after having children.

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New courses for 202526 now available We offer free, face-to-face and online learning courses for adult learners across Devon.

Explore courses in Community Works, English, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), Digital Skills & IT, Maths and Skills & Development.

Ask about our essential qualification courses such as Functional Skills and GCSEs in English and Maths!

For more details, see our website or call 0345 155 1014 www.learndevon.co.uk

1

Tips for working mums struggling with guilt

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Ask yourself what voice your guilt is speaking to you in. Guilt can be helpful, prompting positive behaviour change that aligns us with our values, but, more often than not, guilt in motherhood is societally driven and unhelpful. The more you challenge feelings of guilt, the better you will get at determining what type of guilt you’re dealing with. If it’s unhelpful guilt, try to let it go.

Try reframing guilty thoughts in a more positive way. For example, if you have gone back to work and feel guilty because your child is struggling to settle at nursery, remind yourself that new situations take time to adjust to, and your child struggling to settle does not mean you are a bad mother for sending your child to nursery before they were ready.

Practice self-compassion. Remind yourself that motherhood is hard, and there is no such thing as perfect. Choose a mantra for the hard moments, like “good enough is good enough” or “I am enough.” Because it is. And you are.

Belinda Jane Batt is an accredited positive psychology coach, certified motherhood studies practitioner, maternal guilt expert, speaker, and author of “Challenge Your Guilt: How to Flourish in Motherhood, Work and Life” (due for publication in June 2025).

She is also the mother of two young children and the founder of The Flourishing Mother, which exists to support mothers at all life stages to flourish in their personal lives and at work. The Flourishing Mother uses evidence-based coaching psychology and positive psychology tools and techniques to get to the heart of the issues that clients face. www.theflourishingmother.com www.instagram.com/flourishingmother www.linkedin.com/in/belinda-jane-batt-msc3a535715/ ATHENA MAGAZINE | 43

The Health ofWealth Our Hindsight is a brilliant thing. It’s very easy to look back at the things we should have done, but it’s never too late to start planning for the future.

As C.S. Lewis said: “You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

I think about this a lot now that I am in my forties and heading into the latter stages of my life. It has suddenly become very clear to me that perhaps I should’ve managed my financial wellbeing better.

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Sarah Routledge, Founder evawealth.co.uk

I’m sure I’m not the only one to have these thoughts. Thoughts such as: “I wish I had contributed more to my pension”, “I wish I had learnt how to invest”, or “Maybe I should have saved more money for my kids”.

I see women around me dealing with different challenges. As relationships and marriages break down, women find themselves trapped without the financial means to leave or if they do leave, they are suddenly faced with having to make enough money to support themselves and their children independently. I see women suffering from chronic illnesses that affect their ability to work and save for the future, women who are part of the sandwich generation having to take time off work to care for the needs of their children, whilst also caring for elderly family members.

All these challenges leave women in a very vulnerable position, one that I am sure they never imagined they would find themselves in. When you’re fresh out of school, college or Uni, the last thing you’re thinking about is investing or paying into a pension pot. You’re not putting money aside to see you through maternity leave. As you embark on married life, you’re not thinking about what you’ll do if you get divorced.

Having an escape fund isn’t something we generally tend to think about as we are promising to love one another “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health”. Prenuptial agreements have traditionally been reserved for the rich and famous or for Americans.

But what if women were taught to protect their financial wellbeing from a young age? What if we were more aware of the potential risks that we as women might face throughout our lifetime. Maybe then we wouldn’t find ourselves in situations that leave us vulnerable to financial insecurity.

Sarah Roughsedge is a Chartered Financial Planner, Founder of Eva Wealth & Certified Financial Coach.

Recognising the unique challenges women face in financial planning, she established Eva Wealth in 2017 to offer tailored strategies that truly reflect women’s needs and priorities.

“Women face unique financial challenges, including longer life expectancy, career breaks for caregiving, and persistent wage gaps,” says Sarah, whose goal is to equip women with the tools they need to navigate life’s milestones with confidence and build a secure financial foundation.

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“When we feel financially secure, we can focus on personal growth, career development, and contributing to our communities, rather than constantly worrying about money.”

Financial wellbeing is important as it gives woman security and control over our finances both now and in the future. “It matters because financial wellbeing directly impacts our mental health, stress levels, relationships, and overall quality of life,” explains Sarah. “When we feel financially secure, we can focus on personal growth, career development, and contributing to our communities, rather than constantly worrying about money.”

However, she explains that some life events that affect a woman’s financial wellbeing are less obvious, such as lower pension accumulation due to part-time work, health issues and disability or hormonal changes, such as menopause.

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There is no escaping the fact that life is uncertain, and whilst we never know how things will pan out, we can certainly plan for the unexpected.

Sarah’s advice is to start as early as possible. “Ideally from our very first paycheque,” she says, “or as soon as you become aware that responsibility for your financial wellbeing sits on your own shoulders.”

Hiding behind the excuse that our partner deals with all the finances is no longer an option, according to Sarah. “Women should take control of their financial literacy and planning regardless of their relationship status, as financial independence provides security and choices throughout life. Our outlook on matters is often quite different to our (male) partner's and it is so important that all angles are taken into account.”

This is particularly important when it comes to marriage. Nobody wants to focus on the potential breakdown of a marriage, but it is a very real outcome for many relationships, so it should be planned for.

One way to do this is by maintaining financial independence with personal accounts. “This doesn't mean keeping everything separate or

secret,” explains Sarah, “but it does mean ensuring you are in control of aspects of your finances.” She also recommends that women are fully aware of all family finances and assets. “I have found a huge number of women of every age don't know what their combined assets are, in particular, what pension assets their husband has.”

When it comes to pensions, Sarah advises women to continue their personal retirement contributions. “In traditional marriages where the husband has been the higher earner, he may have a good pension, but the wife does not. This means there can be a significant lack of provision for retirement following divorce, if this is the case,” explains Sarah.

She also advises women to maintain career and professional networks.

“Life can look very different many years into marriage, especially if you married quite young,” she says.

“Maintaining a career or professional network can help you retain your own identity and opportunities outside of your marriage.”

Maintaining good credit in your own name is also important and Sarah suggests having your own credit card and using it regularly to pay for items, but ensuring you clear the monthly

balance as a way to build your credit score.

Prenuptial agreements are increasingly relevant in modern relationships, explains Sarah.

“They can protect both parties and ensure fair outcomes, especially when there are significant assets, business interests, or when one partner plans career sacrifices for family.

Pre-nups can address pension sharing during career breaks, protect inheritances, and outline financial responsibilities.”

While pre-nups may seem unromantic, Sarah says they encourage open financial discussions and can strengthen relationships by setting clear expectations. “They're particularly valuable for second marriages or when there are children from previous relationships. However, I would always recommend obtaining legal advice when considering pre-nups.”

Sarah’s mantra for financial wellbeing is ‘plan for the worst but hope for the best’. “There is more room for regret if you don't have adequate protection in place than if you have it and never need it,” she says.

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The Women Banking on Investment Stacey Sheppard meets the leaders of a new club empowering women to take control of their financial future.

Can you tell me about yourselves and your backgrounds?

How did you both get started with investing?

We are Lucy and Steph Ingram, the founders of the 'Ladies Investing Club'. Together, we have over 35 years of military service, seven years of business expertise, and a growing, successful investment portfolio.

Our investing journey began as a way to take control of our own financial futures. We initially started investing in property back in 2018, before diversifying our portfolio in 2020. We started small, learning as we went, and quickly realised the power of diversified investing to create long-term wealth. Over time, we developed strategies that worked for us, and wanted to share these insights with other women who might feel unsure or intimidated by the world of investing.

Our disciplined and goal-oriented backgrounds have shaped our approach to personal finance and investing, and we're passionate about sharing what we've learnt to empower other women.

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Photography by David Ammoun

What inspired you to create the SW Ladies Investing Club?

with like-minded women in a supportive and empowering community.

The Ladies Investing Club was born out of a desire to empower women to take control of their finances and accelerate their path to financial independence. The club is built on three core values: Clarity, Confidence, and Connection. We host monthly in-person networking events in Plymouth and interactive workshops, such as our full-day event in Bristol, where women can gain practical knowledge, build confidence with regards to their own specific financial goals, and connect

Why is it important to empower women when it comes to finance?

As women we face unique challenges when it comes to finance, from the gender pay gap to societal expectations.

By empowering women with the knowledge and tools to take control of their money, we support them on the journey to financial independence and resilience. Financial empowerment isn't just about wealth—it's about creating opportunities and freedom to live life on your terms.

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What are the biggest obstacles women face to investing?

The biggest obstacles are often mindset-related: fear of risk, lack of confidence, and feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of financial jargon.

Many women also feel they don't have "enough" money to start investing, which is a misconception we work hard to dispel. Our mission is to simplify finance and create a safe, supportive space where women can learn and grow together.

Focusing on understanding your financial goals, educating yourself, and taking the first step, even if it's modest.

Remembering, every small investment adds up over time, and the earlier you start, the more time your money has to grow.

How do you make finance and investing more accessible and less intimidating for women?

We focus on breaking down complex financial topics into simple, actionable steps. Our events and resources are designed to be welcoming and inclusive, with a judgement-free environment where women can ask questions and learn at their own pace. We also emphasise building confidence through community. Knowing you're not alone on this journey makes a huge difference.

Any advice for women wanting to explore investing but feel it's too risky or they don't have enough money to get started?

Start small and start now. Investing doesn't require a huge upfront commitment—what's more important is building the habit.

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Photography by Lauren Dillon Photography

Investing is one of the most powerful tools for building long-term wealth and financial independence.

How can investing help women achieve financial freedom?

Investing is one of the most powerful tools for building long-term wealth and financial independence. It allows women to grow their money beyond what's possible through savings alone and provides a pathway to achieving life goals—whether it's starting a business, retiring early, or creating a safety net for the future. The key is to invest intentionally and consistently.

to make it a success. You determine what 'success' is to you, then intentionally go and make it happen… whilst enjoying the ride!

What do you want women to get from your events?

We want women to leave our events feeling empowered, inspired, and equipped with practical tools to take action. They should walk away with clarity about their financial goals, confidence in their ability to manage and grow their money, and a sense of connection to a supportive community of like-minded women.

What are your hopes for the future of the SW Ladies Investing Club?

Photography by Lauren Dillon Photography

Our vision is to expand the reach of the Ladies Investing Club, both online and in-person. We plan to introduce more workshops, online courses, and resources to make financial education accessible to women everywhere.

We're also exploring partnerships and collaborations to amplify our impact and create a larger movement of empowered women taking charge of their finances.

Financial wellness goes hand-in-hand with wealth-building. It's not just about numbers. It's about creating a life of freedom, security, and fulfilment. We're passionate about fostering a community where women uplift and inspire each other, because together, we can achieve so much more.

Ladies Investing Club @ladies_investing_club ATHENA MAGAZINE | 51

SPEAK UP STAND OUT STAY CALM

Dasha Dollar-Smirnova, founder of Frog Talk, is a public speaking coach and bestselling course author on platforms like Domestika.

She helps people speak with clarity, confidence and that spark that makes others lean in. Her unique method blends performing arts, connection science and business strategy for training that’s as effective as it is engaging.

Meeting, interview, keynote? Wherever you're speaking, Frog Talk gets you ready.

Beat the nerves Speak with purpose Make your message stick Get tailored one-on-one coaching or group training for your team - because great communication isn't one-size-fits-all.

Let's Talk! www.frogtalk.co.uk hello@frogtalk.co.uk

Back to the Body Liz Hobbs helps us to discover a more somatic approach to life and work.

In essence, somatics is an umbrella term for practices that centre the mind-body connection in order to release tension and cultivate awareness and presence. Movement practices such as yoga and Tai Chi are considered somatic practices, as are bodywork practices like Rolfing, a deep tissue manipulation technique, and Alexander technique, a method to improve posture and movement.

eifiniM narF yb yhpargotohP

If you haven’t heard people talking about somatics yet, the chances are you soon will. The term has been a buzzword in wellness circles for years now, and with good reason.

But what exactly does it mean?

Liz Hobbs is a brand voice specialist who helps clients to develop brand voice and messaging that feels true to them—strategic, soulful, and nervous-system friendly. www.lizfranceshobbs.com @lizfranceshobbs

ATHENA MAGAZINE | 53

“Modern research affirms that we are not just brains on sticks—we are integrated neuro-psycho-biological beings,” says Becs Steele, a registered Nutritionist and BodyMind Somatic Coach.

“Our nervous system, psychology, and physiology are inseparably connected, like the weave of a fabric.

“The term “soma” speaks to this integration—the body as the whole, alive being, including mind and spirit.

The body is not just a container or a vehicle for our thoughts; it’s an intelligent system in its own right.”

If you’re new to the concept and all this sounds rather esoteric, consider how your stomach clenches when you’re nervous, the heavy feelings that come with sadness, or how we literally feel joy in our heart space; these are somatic responses to the outside world. The more we become aware of the subtle ways in which our nervous system reacts and performs, the better we become at taking care of ourselves.

Burnout is Bad for Business Somatics are a preventative measure against that scourge of modern life: burnout. The chances are, if you’ve experienced burnout, you’ve been told by well-meaning people that you should book a 54 | ATHENA MAGAZINE

holiday, go for a massage, or take time off. Whether or not we’re conscious of it, these suggestions all recognise that our nervous systems aren’t infinitely resourced.

And whilst they’re all good recommendations (who doesn’t love a mini-break?) in reality, taking time off after burnout really is like locking the stable door after the horse has bolted. By being in touch with the intelligence of our own bodies, we’re much more likely to recognise the early warning symptoms of stress and burnout.

This is nowhere more true than in business. “Learning to regulate our own nervous system and coregulate with others isn’t just personal development—it’s a business skill. It changes how we lead, how we relate, and how we show up.” explains Becs. There are other benefits, too. Somatic practices permit us to “access creative ideas that don’t come through linear thinking, or hold space for others more effectively”.

In other words, your nervous system is a stakeholder in your business. It needs a proverbial seat at the table in every strategy meeting. Likewise, the dinner table, or any other place where we are expected to juggle.

So where to begin? The great thing about somatics is that you don’t need fancy equipment or a particular location to get startedany practice that emphasises the mind-body connection is enough.

But if you want to try something today, you can try the exercise below. The perfect work-life balance is the holy grail for many women.

Perhaps somatic practices will bring us one step closer to finding it.

"ARRIVE" – A Somatic Grounding Tool A short practice to come home to your body and the present moment, as recommended by Becs Steele.

A

Anchor your feet - Feel your feet on the ground. Wiggle your toes. Notice the support beneath you. Let your weight drop a little more fully into the earth.

R

Release tension - Scan your body from the top of your head down. Soften your jaw, your shoulders, your belly. Imagine tension melting down and out through your feet.

R

Reconnect with your breath - Bring your awareness to your breathing. No need to change it. Just notice: inhale, exhale.

Maybe let the breath deepen gently.

I

Invite your attention down - Notice where your attention is. If it’s stuck in thoughts or emotions, gently invite it downward— toward your chest, your belly, your legs, your feet.

V

View your surroundings - Look around slowly. Let your eyes land on something nourishing: a plant, a bird, a piece of art, the sky. Let yourself take it in.

E

Engage your senses - What can you hear? Smell? Touch? Let the environment meet you. This brings you into connection with the here and now.

ATHENA MAGAZINE | 55

COWORKING DEVON. FIND YOUR COMMUNITY.

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From Nowhere to Everywhere

How to Get Your Website Seen (and Loved) Online

By Alice Widger I’m Alice, founder of Milk It Digital Ltd and chief milkmaid of all things getting-you-found-online.

Or, if we’re being fancy about it, SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), which is just a boring way of saying: getting your website found by the people who want what you sell.

I’m on a mission to help small businesses like yours show up online without needing a degree in tech wizardry or a budget the size of a small country. I believe SEO should be simple, stressfree, and even (dare I say it) a little bit fun.

There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to SEO, and now all the noise about AI. I get it, it can feel like you’ve only just learnt about SEO, and now there’s a robot churning out answers instead of websites.

Here’s the thing: AI is changing SEO - but it’s not replacing it. It's making it even more important.

Real people still want real answers from real businesses. That means if you’re a small business Photography by Annemieke Goldswain-Hein ATHENA MAGAZINE | 57

owner, now is the perfect time to grab SEO by the horns and milk it for all it’s worth.

This not only helps visitors, but also helps search engines understand and recommend your page.

And the best part? You don’t need a degree in "robot wrangling" to get started. A few simple steps can still make a massive difference.

Tip: Your page title could be something like: “Handmade Soy Vegan Candles | [Your Business Name]”.

Here are five simple, actionable SEO tips you can start using straight away:

3. Create useful, simple content You don’t need to write masses of blog posts. Just start with ones that answer common customer questions. For example: “How to choose the right candle scent for your home” or “5 reasons soy vegan candles are not the bees knees”. This helps people and gives search engines more reasons to send traffic your way.

1. Use the words your customers would use When people search online, they type in words and phrases. These are called keywords. Think about what your ideal customer might type into Google to find you. Then, use those words naturally on your website: in your page titles, product descriptions, and even your blog posts.

Tip: If you sell handmade soy vegan candles, don’t use “misty sea vibes” as a product category; use “handmade soy vegan candles”.

4. Boost your website's reputation with backlinks A big part of SEO is getting other websites to link to yours. These are called backlinks. Search engines see backlinks like gold stars: the more good, relevant websites that link to you, the more trustworthy you look.

2. Make sure every page has a clear title and description Each page on your website should have a clear headline (aka page title) and a short paragraph describing what the page is about (a meta description).

Tip: Add your business to directories, like the Athena Magazine Directory. It’s an easy, quick win to help boost your website’s reputation and help you get found by more customers. An easy win!

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5. Keep learning - and milk it properly!

SEO is a journey, not a one-time fix.

You don’t need to become an expert overnight. Start with the basics, then build as you go.

If you’re worried about where to start (or you’re tired of Googling “what even is SEO?” at 2 AM), say hello to The Milk It Hub. It’s your DIY SEO best mate, a simple tool that teaches you SEO while you actually do it.

No confusing jargon. No boring theory. Just easy, actionable steps designed for busy small business owners. You'll learn how to find the right keywords, improve your website, see what competitors are up to, track your progress on Google, and start climbing up search engines without losing your marbles.

milkitdigital.co.uk @milkitdigital

Why I Joined Six Degrees – And Why I’m Sticking Around

By Fran Minifie As a local business owner juggling photography, being co-founder of this magazine, school runs and family commitments, I’ve always been a bit wary of business networking groups.

Too many of them feel a bit stiff, salesy, and like you need to memorise your 60second pitch before you’ve even had a coffee.

Six Degrees is a women’s networking group based in Exeter, with events across the South West. I heard about Six Degrees a few years back, but hadn’t joined until now as my youngest Photography by Becky Craven was not yet at school, and I simply didn’t have the time to attend anything else with the very few hours a week I had that were child free. But after my son started school this year, it was time to dedicate a bit more time to reaching out to the business community and dipping my toes in some other networking groups. New Year was the perfect time to put this plan into action.

As Six Degrees had a month's free trial, it was time I gave it a go. Joining was super easy. I signed up for the trial in January and was quickly booked in for a casual onboarding Zoom chat with Emily, one of the founders. It wasn’t a stuffy business chat either — it was a genuinely lovely conversation about who I am, what I do, and what I hoped to get from being part of the Six Degrees community.

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Straight away, Emily was connecting the dots and suggesting people within the group who might be great contacts for me and for Athena Magazine. It felt personal and thoughtful, like someone was actually listening, not just ticking a box.

I try to jump onto the weekly Zoom calls when I can. They’re on Friday mornings — a tricky time for me as it’s a popular slot for client shoots — but every one I’ve managed to join has been warm, friendly, and refreshingly laid-back. More like chatting with a bunch of school mums over a cuppa rather than a room full of people delivering elevator pitches. No pressure, no awkward intros, just a bunch of women sharing the ups and downs of running their own businesses, the wins and the frustrations, and supporting each other.

I haven’t made it to one of their in-person meet-ups yet (they tend to be early breakfasts which clash with the school run), but I know they have previously hosted daytime events too, and hope to do more in the future.

What I’ve loved most is how proactive Emily and Sarah are about making genuine connections. Since joining, Emily has introduced both me and Stacey to other local businesses that could be a great fit for Athena Magazine, and has been a brilliant supporter of what we’re doing.

It’s clear that Six Degrees is all about community, connection, and making sure women in business feel seen, supported, and championed. I’m very much looking forward to sticking around and seeing where these connections take us next.

I highly recommend six degrees, and it’s certainly worth giving their free trial a go to see how much of a good fit they are for you.

Six Degrees is an online global community, with local face-to-face meet-ups.

Membership includes: An exclusive membership directory Weekly online networking 2 live workshops every month Access to 50+ expert masterclasses sixdegrees-group.com Sarah & Emily co-founders of Six Degrees

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Networking Events Your list of local networking events in and around Devon

Weekly Link Up Torbay Weekly breakfast networking meeting at The Imperial Hotel in Torquay. Excludes duplicate businesses so check before booking. https://linkupbusiness.co.uk

Monthly

The Tribe Various networking and social events take place throughout the month. www.thetribecoworking.co.uk Freelance Mum Child friendly business networking. Meeting monthly at Dartington Estate in South Devon. Free trial available. www.freelancemum.co.uk Six Degrees Meetings for members and non-members. Weekly Zoom Meeting See website for info sixdegrees-group.com MIB Newton Abbot Child-friendly, in-person networking events for women.

Check website for venue details. mib.international/events Your Partnerships Monthly networking events in Devon. www.yourpartnerships.co.uk

Lyme Bay Ladies Monthly events in Exeter and Axminster to bring local ladies together for friendship and business networking www.lymebayladies.co.uk Devon Women in Business Monthly events including networking, coworking and retreats. Check info on website.. devonwomeninbusiness.com Mid Devon Network An independently connected network meeting fortnightly in Tiverton and Crediton www.middevonnetwork.co.uk Boost Your Business Network Monthly business events hosted by James Court and held at Exeter Golf & Country Club.

Visit Eventbrite for info Dawlish Business Breakfast A delightful morning of friendly networking with a delicious breakfast. Held at The Smugglers Inn in Dawlish. www.dawlishchamber.co.uk Notworking Networking Networking and night walking events with a strict no-pitching rule across South Devon nwclub.co.uk Torbay Business Network Regular events every month.

www.facebook.com.torbaybiznet

Chamber of Commerce Local Chambers of Commerce hold regular networking events. Check your local Chamber for details. devonchamber.co.uk Small Business Vibes Monthly in-person networking events for women. Meetings held in Exmouth. www.smallbusinessvibes.co.uk

Plymouth Business Network Regular events every month. www.plymouthbusinessnetw ork.co.uk G12 Business Club Regular events every month. www.g12businessclub.co.uk

July

Women’s Health Impact Network Friday 4th July 10am-11.30am at The Tribe Coworking Space in Berry Pomeroy.

Visit Eventbrite for Info Ladies Lunch at Bovey Castle Combining various fabulous Ladies Networks in the Southwest, two course lunch at Bovey Castle on 15th July Visit Eventbrite for Info

Westcountry Business Show At Westpoint Arena on 18th July.

www.westcountrybusinessshow.co.uk

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News

Brewed for Beauty

Devon partnership turns used coffee grounds into sustainable skincare products.

Wavi Coffee, the female-founded specialty coffee Land Rover, is taking its sustainability commitment to the next level by partnering with Woodbury-based company, The Natural Spa to give new life to its spent Origin Coffee grounds.

Instead of ending up in food waste bins, these organic coffee grounds will now be transformed into luxurious body scrubs and soaps—closing the loop on waste while supporting eco-friendly skincare.

Throughout the summer season, Wavi Coffee generates a significant amount of coffee grounds at festivals and events. While past efforts included using them in home gardens and offering them to customers, logistical challenges meant that too much of this valuable byproduct was being lost.

“During busy festival summers, we simply couldn’t bag them up fast enough before they spoiled. While composting was an option, we wanted to do more,” says Amy, founder of Wavi Coffee.

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Now, thanks to a collaboration with Zoe at The Natural Spa, Wavi Coffee’s grounds will be repurposed into high-quality, handmade skincare products. “We are thrilled to partner with Wavi Coffee to repurpose their used coffee grounds into our handcrafted body scrubs and soaps,” says Zoe. “This collaboration not only reduces waste but also transforms a byproduct into a nourishing and sustainable skincare ingredient. It’s a meaningful step toward a more ecoconscious future, and we’re proud to offer our customers a product that’s both good for the skin and the planet."

This partnership not only prevents waste but also aligns with Wavi Coffee’s core values of sustainability, ethical sourcing, and supporting independent businesses.

“Coffee is the second-largest traded commodity after petroleum, and an estimated six million tonnes of spent grounds go to landfill every year, contributing to methane emissions,” explains Amy. “By working with The Natural Spa, we’re ensuring that our organic coffee waste becomes something useful, beautiful, and kind to the planet.” This initiative marks another step in Wavi Coffee’s ongoing mission to minimise waste, champion small businesses, and create a more sustainable coffee culture.

thenaturalspa.co.uk @thenaturalspacosmetics www.wavicoffee.com @wavi.coffee

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Discover Dartmoor A new membership that turns Dartmoor’s stunning walks into family adventures without the stress.

The weekend rolls around, and after a week of work, school, and neverending to-do lists, the pressure to come up with something fun and engaging for the whole family is real.

Parents, running on little sleep, are exhausted just thinking about how to entertain the kids. The idea of heading to the same old spots feels uninspiring, and yet the need for a family adventure that doesn’t break the bank is ever-present.

her partner Jack. “We were walking the same old routes in a desperate attempt to get the baby to sleep whilst also entertaining our big kid and wondering aloud about where we would try tomorrow.”

What if there was an easy way to escape the house, get outdoors, and enjoy quality time together? That’s exactly the mission behind Dartmoor Partner. To help families explore Dartmoor’s best walks without the hassle, offering a stress-free way to create unforgettable moments with your kids.

“The idea was sparked whilst on a walk with our 2-week-old baby and my five-year-old stepson,” explains Isla, co-founder of the initiative with 66 | ATHENA MAGAZINE

Family-Friendly Adventures Searching for an easy way to escape the house with their kids without

raising their blood pressure too much in the process proved to be a little trickier than they had anticipated.

“For our family setup, we needed somewhere that would be balance bike-friendly, relatively flat and easy, and not full of everyone else! We wondered about creating a book like the Wild Swim guides as we realised how many other families were in the same position as us: eager to get out with their young ones but bored of the same old places,” says Isla.

As the idea took shape, Jack, a business growth consultant and a “slightly hyper-fixated new dad,” took the idea and ran with it.

Two weeks later, the Dartmoor Partner brand was created, the mission and vision finalised, and the website built. Isla and Jack are now busy testing over 35 routes all around Dartmoor National Park so they can confidently offer a range of different options suited for different days and family needs. Whether you need somewhere that’s buggy accessible, suitable for paddling on a sunny day, or exploring with children of different ages, Dartmoor Partner will cover all the options.

Membership for Outdoorsy Types The website offers two-tiers of membership for outdoorsy families looking for easy routes and epic walks. The explorer plan costs £17.50 per year and provides access to all 35 routes. For £25.00 per year, people can sign up to the Supporter plan to support Isla and Jack’s mission further. “We plan to continue expanding access onto the moors by providing additional family-friendly routes as well as partnering up with Dartmoor-based companies to unite in our mission to make Dartmoor accessible to all,” explains Isla.

For more information, sign up for the waiting list to be notified when the routes go live and for event details. www.dartmoorpartner.co.uk @dartmoorpartner ATHENA MAGAZINE | 67

Curry in a Hurry?

Watch the Video

ATHENA MAGAZINE | 69

Minute Steak Curry Recipe

This Minute Steak Curry is delightfully convenient and packed full of flavour! It's a fantastic hearty dish to make during those hectic weeknights because it has such a low prep and cooking time without sacrificing any flavour.

Ingredients Steak: 1 tbsp oil 400g minute steak (or 'thin cut beef steaks') ¼ tsp salt ¼ tsp ground black pepper Curry: 1 tbsp oil 1 onion, peeled and chopped into wedges 1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped 12 cherry tomatoes, sliced in half 1 green chilli, finely chopped 3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced 2 tbsp minced ginger 2 tbsp mild curry powder (or hotter) 1 tbsp ground coriander ½ tbsp ground cumin 1 tsp paprika ½ tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp salt ½ tsp ground black pepper 1 x 400g tin finely chopped tomatoes 240g coconut cream To Serve: chopped fresh coriander boiled rice poppadoms

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1 2 3 4 5

Instructions Start with the steak. Heat a large frying pan over a high heat. Coat the steak in the oil and season on both sides with the salt and pepper. Add the steak to the hot pan. Fry for 1 minute each side, then remove from the pan and place, covered, on a plate.

Reduce the heat to medium (you'll be making the sauce in the same pan). Add the oil, then the onion, red pepper, tomatoes, chilli, garlic, ginger, curry powder, coriander, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Fry together, stirring constantly, for 4 minutes until the onion starts to soften.

Add the tinned tomatoes and coconut cream. Stir again and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut the steak into thin slices.

Add the sliced steak back into the pan (along with any resting juices) and stir together. Simmer for a further 2 minutes, then turn off the heat and serve, topped with fresh coriander. I like to serve this with boiled rice and poppadoms.

Nicky Corbishley is an award-winning food blogger and Sunday Times bestselling author who lives in Brixham with her husband Chris and their two children.

After a 14-year career in corporate IT, Nicky wanted to do something more creative, whilst being able to spend more time with the children. With a life-long passion for cooking (and eating!), her recipe blog was born.

Visit her at https://kitchensanctuary.com for delicious family-friendly recipes.

This recipe is from Nicky's latest cookbook 'Quick & Easy', available on Amazon. More info on the book here.

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BOOK REVIEW Stacey Sheppard shares one of her favourite business books.

Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed is one of my favourite books. The main premise of the book is around the power of diverse thinking and how we can create environments that allow for the best ideas to surface. Syed makes the case for diversity of thought as a vital ingredient for innovation, resilience and meaningful progress. He believes that cognitive diversity requires differences in perspective, insights, experiences and thinking styles and that this will ultimately lead to competitive advantage.

He introduces the concept of recombinant innovation, where unrelated ideas from different fields fuse together to form something new and powerful. He makes a compelling case for places that nurture this kind of cross-pollination, enabling “information spillover” through the complex dance of individuals and the networks they inhabit.

But what struck me most is Syed’s recognition that women have long been excluded from these networks of ideas. If we want to harness the true potential of collective intelligence, he says, we must create environments of psychological safety—something many women still find lacking in traditional business spaces.

Rebel ideas is a rallying cry for inclusivity not just in terms of who’s in the room, but whose voice gets heard.

This book aligns so closely with how I think about community, leadership, and the future of business. It is well worth a read.

firstdraftbooks.co.uk

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Business Support:

Where to Find Business Support BIPC Devon The Business & IP Centre, Devon, provides free business support, resources & events to help business owners, start-ups, entrepreneurs and inventors start, or grow a business.

They offer expert one-to-one help, database access, networking events, webinars, workshops, grants and other business resources.

You can also book free 1:1 sessions with their roster of local subject matter experts on topics from branding, and marketing to finance and sales.

There is even a course designed specifically for women in business. https://bipc.librariesunlimited.org.uk/

Business Information Point Business Information Point offers a range of fully-funded support programmes for both small businesses and the farming community throughout the South West. https://businessinfopoint.co.uk/

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Cosmic Cosmic is a Social Enterprise which specialises in digital skills training, digital consultancy, IT technical support and website development.

It helps people identify their digital need and to progress with their ambitions. www.cosmic.org.uk Learn Devon Learn Devon is Devon County Council’s adult education provider offering free online or face-to-face learning options to adult learners across Devon. Courses include team leadership, enterprise and self-employment. www.learndevon.co.uk

North Devon + North Devon + is the economic delivery agency for the area, working with Torridge District Council, North Devon Council, Devon County Council and the private sector to deliver projects and initiatives that support business growth, improve the quality of life and address social inequalities. northdevonplus.co.uk Digital Link Free, fully funded 1-2-1 Digital Business Support for small businesses in Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay. Access Digital Guides, workshops, free digital courses and book 1-2-1 support with our Digital Business Advisers. www.heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk/digital-link/ ATHENA MAGAZINE | 75

Business Directory A great resource of fantastic businesses in Devon, listed by sector

Beauty Services

Business Services

Chrissie Gibbons Hair Design I help my clients embrace their natural hair while providing 1:1 bespoke services that inspire confidence

Laser and Grain Spread the word about your small business! Affordable, beautiful and sustainably conscious merchandise & QR codes www.laserandgrain.co.uk

www.instagram.com/chrissie_gi bbons_hair_design

Coast Hair Design We provide consistent, quality hair services to our guests in a comfortable, welcoming & professional environment. www.coasthairdesign.com South Hams Aesthetics LTD Nurse led aesthetics Clinic, offering rejuvenating injectable skin care, antiwrinkle injections and medical grade skincare.

www.southhamsaesthetics.co.uk

Incandescent Permanent Jewellery Permanent jewellery handcrafted to last, through appointment or have us at your event; weddings, birthdays or any occasion.

www.instagram.com/incandesc entjewellery

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Madelaine Couch | Writer & Artist I'm a writer and artist, creating web copy, blogs and bright illustrations to build a lasting impact. www.madelainecouch.com Milk It Digital Fresh quality, done-for-you SEO services for serious business owners and marketing departments who want a no-nonsense approach to SEO www.milkitdigital.co.uk Lark Brand Studio Branding & websites for women who don't f*ck around - built to dominate, not decorate. www.larkbrandstudio.com

The Tribe Coworking space for women that provides support to start and grow businesses, build your network & overcome challenges. www.thetribecoworking.co.uk Kwebsite Designs A website that actually works for your business. No Jargon.

No Stress. Just a site that helps you grow. www.kwebsitedesigns.co.uk.uk

Navigate Safety Consultancy Female-led Health and Safety Consultancy in Dartmouth, Devon. Risk Assessments, Health & Safety Policy, Audits & Site Inspections. www.navigatesafety.co.uk Indie Brand Builder Purpose-led branding + websites for neurodivergent founders. Membership with tools, prompts + real talk to build your biz. www.indiebrandbuilder.com Harissa PR A boutique agency creating bold PR, social, and content campaigns that connect, inspire, and get results. www.harissapr.com

Business Directory The Pocket Strategist For ambitious service-based founders: strategy, clarity & support to run better, grow stronger, and lead with confidence.

www.thepocketstrategist.com

B Well Nutrition "Feel Like Yourself Again".

Women's Health (Nutrition and Somatic Coach) supporting hormone balance, energy & emotional wellbeing www.bwellnutrition.co.uk/

Life Admin Hive Overwhelmed by life admin?

Supportive community, practical tools and online coworking. More life, less admin. www.lifeadminhive.com

Swallow Court Devon Leased Offices at M5/J27.

Excellent road/rail access, set in tranquil converted farmstead. The perfect place for your office space www.devonshiregate.co.uk

The Creative Rebellion Through radical coaching & raw honesty, I help creatives dismatle fear, trust their instincts & step fully into their power. www.thecreativerebellion.com

Louisa Hill Gentle Breathwork for radiant health, happiness and a life you love. Online and in person in South Devon, 1:1 and small groups. www.instagram.com/louisalo vesthis

Kate Duggan Copywriting I help businesses reach more people. From SEO web copy to product brochures, if you want copy that makes an impact, get in touch www.kateduggan.co.uk

Evolve Hypnotherapy Devon Solution focused clinical hypnotherapy and talking therapy specialising in Anxiety, Trauma and Bereavement.

Veronique Mertes Hypnotherapy Clinical hypnotherapist and coach for parents of teenagers www.vmerteshypnotherapy.c o.uk

Health & Wellness Hayley Anderson Herbalist, birth story listener & menstrual cycle guide helping you navigate challenges relating to your health, cycle & fertility www.hayleyanderson.co.uk EmpowerHer Reignite your confidence.

Coaching & workshops to help you thrive through perimenopause www.empowerher.uk.com

www.evolve-hypnotherapy.co.uk

Sian Rivers Counselling & Coaching Being a parent is hard! I provide safe spaces for parents to explore their experinces and become better resourced in their roles. sian.rivers@icloud.com Amy Chapman Counselling A warm, supportive space to help you to rediscover your whole self. Sessions available online or in Abbotskerswell.

www.amychapmancounselling.com

Live Life for Me We support women, men and organisations around menopause and beyond.

Come and see us at the Newton Abbott Wellbeing Show, 28 June! www.livelifeforme.org Helen Sound Meditation Creating immersive Sound Journey's with beautiful instruments, to create mediative, deeply relaxing experiences.

www.helensoundmeditation.com ATHENA MAGAZINE | 77

Business Directory The Mulberry Rooms Our tranquil wellness centre in Abbotskerswell offers 3 beautiful therapy rooms and a studio, offering many therapies and classes www.themulberryrooms.com Quilene Le Roux I facilitate creative , holistic & therapeutic art workshops for wellbeing & connection . Your permission to play and create . www.instagram.com/create _anewwayofbeing Empowered Human Design What if you kicked self-doubt to the curb & felt truly fantastic about yourself? Click below for more fun, ease & authenticity! www.empoweredhumandesi gn.com/chart

Education & Training Wyatt First Aid Hello! Need First Aid training for your work, club or group?

We can help! We deliver courses across Devon, Somerset and Dorset. www.wyattfirstaid.co.uk Hilda Kalap Speaker & Coach Empowering purpose-led women to change the world through impactful speaking and confident writing www.hildakalapspeaker.com 78| ATHENA MAGAZINE

Photography Services

Fran Minifie Photography Professional photos for your website marketing & socials.

Options from only £50. Plus marketing help for small businesses.

www.franminifiephotography.co.uk

Mandy Schuster Photography Natural brand photography helping entrepreneurs feel confident, save time, and connect with clients through relaxed onbrand images

www.mandyschusterphotography.com

Charlie Flounders Bespoke videography and photography. For people & businesses doing purposeful things, and needing to shine online. www.charlieflounders.com

Melyn Moon Photography Photographer specialising in pet portraits and photography for ecoconscious businesses, artists, charities and community groups. www.melynmoonphoto.myp ortfolio.com/about

Brynn Embley Timeless, heartfelt photography by Brynn Embley - capturing love, life, and legacy with a fine art touch. www.BrynnEmbley.com

Other Torbay Scrap Store Our treasure trove sells unique materials & budget, secondhand craft supplies, We have a Coffee shop, workshops & Rent a shelf www.torbayscrapstore.co.uk

NG Mortgage Solutions Dedicated to finding solutions for all your Mortgage and Protection needs www.ng-mortgages.co.uk

Parents & Children Invisible Thread Parent Coaching Support for parents with children displaying challenging behaviours, particularly aggression & anxiety. Devon & Online. www.invisiblethreadpc.com Fran Minifie Photography Family Photoshoots for all budgets. Mini shoot events only £25 and full family shoots from £100 www.franminifiephotography.co.uk

Business Directory Products & Gifts Supa Dopamine Deli Joy has a postcode. SUPA in Paignton serves dopamineboosting gifts & vibes for creative brains.

www.instagram.com/supadopa minedeli

Makara Silver Jewellery I use recycled silver to hand make fine silver jewellery inspired by shape and texture.

www.makarasilverjewellery.co.uk

Pure Images Inspired by Nature - a collection of framed prints, greeting cards and gifts by photographer Rachel Marshall. www.pureimages.co.uk Snapshot Trips Mystery envelopes. Themed, local roadtrips. Up to 5 surprise stops. Give or take a trip. A new kind of adventure launching June! www.snapshottrips.co.uk

Makara Silver Jewellery Hand made sterling and fine silver jewellery inspired by shape and texure.

www.makarasilverjewellery.co.uk

Legal KMD Wills & Estate Planning Friendly estate planning: Wills, Trusts & Power of Attorney. Flexible, affordable services at home or online. www.kmdwills.co.uk

Would you like to see your listing here, or advertise in our magazine?

Our directory listings cost just £10 per issue, and each issue runs for 4 months (PLUS all issues remain online as back issues indefinitely) Visit our website for full information about advertising opportunities www.athenamagazine.co.uk Or if you have any questions, please get in touch via email: hello@athenamagazine.co.uk

ATHENA MAGAZINE | 79

Success Without Sacrifice

By Sue Richards

As I write this, it’s my first day back after the Easter holidays, after a full week away from my business. The break gave me time to slow down, spend quality time with my family, explore new places, get outdoors, rest, and enjoy some delicious meals (that I didn’t have to cook!).

It’s so easy to get caught in the momentum of what’s next: the next launch, the next milestone, the next income goal. But in all that striving, it’s easy to lose sight of what success actually means to us.

We can get so focused on achieving more that we forget the original vision we had when we set out on this journey of self-employment, and being the CEO of our lives as well as our businesses.

It also gave me the time and space to step back, reflect, and reconnect with why I chose this path of self-employment in the first place.

I chose to start my own business because I wanted freedom and autonomy. I wanted to be in control of my schedule AND do a job that I was passionate about. And I’m sure that for most of you reading this, you chose self-employment for this too.

My mini break in Dorset reminded me of the freedom I have created in my life and business, and the fulfilment I get from the work I do. It brought me back to what success means to me - and, for me, the numbers, stats and business growth only form part of the equation.

Photography by Fran Minifie 80 | ATHENA MAGAZINE

And even when we do reach those goals, we often don’t stop to celebrate. We’re already onto the next thing. But, let’s be honest, constantly striving for the next thing doesn’t make us feel successful. If anything, that constant striving leaves us feeling frustrated because we’re not yet at that next level.

So, if your current version of success is leaving you feeling stressed, depleted, or disconnected from the life you want to be living, it’s worth pausing to reflect and reassess.

Because maybe the definition of success you’re working towards was never truly yours to begin with.

Yes, financial success is part of the picture, but it’s not the whole story.

And if income was all that mattered, would self-employment really be the easiest or quickest route to get there?

Probably not.

What was your vision when you chose self-employment? Are you living in alignment with that vision, or have you slipped into hustle mode?

Where have your boundaries blurred? And what needs to change so that you can come back to your version of success?

Once you’ve got clarity on these questions, you can begin to design your days and decisions around the success you are seeking. You can start making choices that feel expansive, choices that excite you, choices that are truly aligned with what you want from your life and your business (not one or the other).

So as we move into the second half of the year, let this be your reset.

Stop chasing someone else’s version of success. Start creating a life and business that truly feels like yours.

And remember to take the time to pause and celebrate your successes, before moving onto the next thing.

I believe you chose this path for something more than that - for freedom, for flexibility and for autonomy. And to do the work that lights you up, in a way that works for you and your life, not against it.

Sue Richards

So now, at this mid-point of the year, give yourself permission to zoom out and reflect. What kind of life were you hoping to create when you started your business?

www.instagram.com/suerichards.c oaching

Sue Richards is a freedom and success coach & mentor, podcast host and speaker.

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A WEBSITE THAT ACTUALLY WORKS FOR YOUR BUSINESS No jargon. No stress. Just a site that helps you grow.

Hi, I'm Kayleigh – the web designer who makes things easy.

No jargon or tech-snobbery – Just friendly, clear guidance.

I don’t just build pretty websites - I create tools that help small businesses grow. Whether you’re just starting out or finally ready to ditch the DIY site, I’m here to make the process feel simple, supportive, and actually enjoyable.

Fair pricing – The right solution for your budget, no overcharging.

1:1 personal service – I get to know you, your story, and your goals.

Reliable & approachable – I make the process smooth, stress-free, and even enjoyable.

Website Services Semi-Custom Websites

Choose a beautifully designed template that’s personalised to your brand—a fast, affordable option taylored to your business.

Mini Website Package

Fully Custom Websites

A simple website, designed to get your business online quickly and professionally. Perfect for startups or service providers who need a polished presence without the fuss.

A strategic, done-for-you website tailored to your business needs. Includes deep support with structure, copy, and offers if needed.

info@kwebsitedesigns.co.uk

www.kwebsitedesigns.co.uk

enizagam

anehta

Photo by Becky Craven

Copyright 2025. All rights reserved www.athenamagazine.co.uk hello@athenamagazine.co.uk Thank you for supporting our magazine.

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