Meet Dr Yvette Ankrah MBE – the mastermind behind our masterclasses
When it comes to membership perks at Creative Works, our free 1:1 business clinics are up there with the best. The monthly sessions are led by Dr Yvette Ankrah MBE, a transformational business coach, consultant and self-confessed recovering overachiever.
Over the last 20 years Yvette has developed and delivered training programmes to small business owners and senior leaders, covering topics such as self-care, negotiation skills, marketing for small business and business planning.
Among many other things, she’s also facilitated group coaching sessions for senior women in business. One of the key elements was allowing people to be truly listened to and be given space to think.
After all, as Yvette explains, “by empowering leaders to create inner change, they, in turn, become inspirational leaders, make better decisions, grow and thrive and create sustainable and successful businesses”.
We caught up with Yvette to find out more about her journey, approach to life and business, and what members can expect from her free sessions.
Book a space on one of Yvette’s upcoming sessions: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/creative-works-20128170771
Dr Yvette Ankrah MBE
- Hi Yvette! Firstly, we’d love to know what you received your MBA for…
Back in 2015, I co-wrote the Manifesto for Women in Business and started a grassroots campaign to get more support for women in business. We wanted more safety nets for the self-employed, more representation, access to bids and more back-to-work schemes for those who didn’t want to be self-employed and wanted to get back into corporate spaces.
A lot of what we campaigned for was put in place but there is still a way to go.
I received my MBE in 2017 and it was awarded by Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace. I wore full Kente cloth to represent my Ghanaian heritage.
- At a time when we can’t collaborate and explore like we usually would, where do you find inspiration?
The shower is always a great place for inspiration!
It allows your brain to go into theta waves and opens your creativity. I also get inspiration from conversations I have with clients, colleagues, attending online conferences, reading books and articles, and listening to the occasional podcast.
- Think back to a time when you ‘failed’ at something – what did you learn from the experience?
I have failed many times at a variety of things! I work from a space of a growth mindset and follow the NLP principle of ‘there is no failure, only feedback’.
Every time something doesn’t work, I think about what the lesson from the experience is. I think about what I will do differently next time as I lick my wounds, tend to my bruised ego (if necessary) and get back up again!
‘The one-to-one sessions help you explore ideas and create new ones; they are a safe space to be heard and you’ll leave informed and back on track.’
- On behalf of all the parents out there: what are some of your coping mechanisms for juggling work and parenting/homeschooling?
Your sanity and your child(ren’s) sanity are incredibly important! I was recently interviewed on a podcast and the interviewer said, ‘we’re not home schooling, they are home learning’.
Cut yourself some slack, even if you are a teacher you didn’t sign up to being your child’s teacher! Look at how you can schedule things, speak to the school as you may not have to fit in with their timetable at all, do what you can and find some time for fun.
- What can Creative Works members expect from your Masterclasses and 1:1 sessions?
From each masterclass they will always pick up things that they can implement straight away in their businesses. They are all delivered by highly experienced speakers and experts who want you all to thrive!
The one-to-one sessions help you explore ideas and create new ones; they are a safe space to be heard and you’ll leave informed and back on track. We also have spaces on our mini coaching which are four sessions that cover either business or personal development.
- What do you love most about Creative Works?
The community – there are so many amazing businesses here that I have the privilege to find out about and connect with the people behind them.
- If you could offer the world one piece of advice right now, what would it be?
Use your breath to help keep you calm, centred and grounded – simple but powerful.
