As an Empowerment Coach it is Karina Todd’s aim to help support and inspire women across Northern Ireland in their personal development.
Read how she became a Women’s Empowerment Coach at Fempower
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
After graduating from university, I worked in the City of London for NatWest Bank before returning home to Northern Ireland to train as a Chartered Accountant. I qualified in 2000 and have worked across a host of organisations in the private, public and voluntary sectors in Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Hong Kong and Singapore.
I recently trained as a Certified Women’s Empowerment Coach and in March I set up Fempower which aims to support and inspire ladies across Northern Ireland in their personal development.
What was your favourite subject at school?
Languages. I studied French and Spanish at A-level.
Did you go on to further/ higher education, if so what did you study and where?
I graduated from the University of Wales with a BA (hons) in Banking and Insurance.
How did you get into your area of work?
Women’s wellbeing and personal development is something I’ve always been very passionate about and as a busy working mother who is constantly juggling all areas of life, I know there are so many other women in my shoes that need the help to ensure their objectives and goals are aligned.
I’m a Certified Women’s Empowerment Coach and have also carried out training in other female related areas including stress management and positive weight management. Pre-covid, I was running a series of bespoke wellness workshops for women. All of this combined has really taught me a lot about the issues facing women and I want to play my role in helping ladies be the best version of themselves in all parts of their life which ultimately led me to set up Fempower.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
Throughout school, I wanted to go on to study languages but during my final year I had a work experience in a bank which then led me to secure a sponsorship with TSB Bank for my university degree. Although this completely changed the direction of my career I found that I enjoyed working with figures and eventually decided to train as a Chartered Accountant.
Studying and working in what was a male-dominated environment made me realise the importance of women supporting and motivating each other to rise up to claim the life they want to live – and not the one they feel they should be living for everyone else.
I’ve always been passionate about empowering women and I’m a firm believer that whether you’re busy balancing work and life; juggling a career and family life; a stay-at-home mum or you just want to connect with other like-minded women, it’s important for women to come together in a supportive community – so Fempower was created.
So, while I may not have set out to become a Chartered Accountant or a Women’s Empowerment Coach I believe that everything happens for a reason and this is definitely the right path for me.
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?
Yes, I undertook courses in Women’s Empowerment Coaching, Stress Management and Weight Management coaching.
Are there alternative routes into the job?
I believe that to help women in their own personal development, you do need the qualification and practical experience to make sure they are on the right path to help them maximise their own personal development, achieve their goals and make the most of their current and future situation in life. Complementing this training, your life experience does play a very important role and I know that my own experience as a busy mother of four, juggling my work/ life balance and setting up my business definitely helps me relate to women and their different situations.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
Communication is key. As a Women’s Empowerment Coach, you are there to guide and support women from all walks of life, all with very different goals so you need to help in a clear and concise manner and we work together to formulate their own individual plan.
You also need to be flexible as it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach – what might suit one woman might not suit another. You also need to be empathetic and supportive and understand that people have different issues, which may seem like a massive problem for them so it’s important to realise this and handle the situation sensitively so they feel supported at all stages of their personal development.
What does a typical day entail?
I still work full time as a Chartered Accountant, so my evenings and weekends are dedicated to Fempower which actually suits most women as that is usually their spare time after the children have gone to bed when they are free from work to spend on their own personal development. At Fempower we offer a range of different services including access to coaching and training in all areas of personal development; bespoke corporate training programmes; online courses, weekly webinars and monthly Power Hours – so I spend my time organising all these elements.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
The best is meeting new ladies, setting up a supportive community for all types of women and really feeling like I’m making a difference. In saying that, it can sometimes be a challenge to help some women realise that the support is there to help with their own personal development and help them understand why it is important to take time out for ourselves.
Why is what you do important?
I really believe there has never been a more important time for women to get the support and realise their own strength, value and true potential. Worryingly, recent reports have found that inequality problems have been made worse for many women during the pandemic. It is my vision that Fempower will help support and inspire women of all ages and stages of life and will be a place where they can come together to learn, connect and grow.
How has Covid-19 impacted your business/role?
Due to Covid, the launch was delayed. However, I believe that Fempower has come at the right time to help provide women with the skills and techniques to help make them be the best version of themselves which I am confident will stand them in good stead as we continue to move out of lockdown and resume busier lives than we have been living over the last year.
What adjustments have you had to make?
The initial plan for Fempower was to launch with inperson events with the online platform to come later. However, due to Covid this was completely changed and I developed the online side sooner than initially planned. We also introduced more elements to provide as much help as we could, including an online members’ community with support services and resources.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
For any woman considering going into a new role I would encourage them to make sure you follow your heart and do something you really want to do. When you do what you love, it really gives you a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
If you weren’t doing this what would you like to do?
I truly believe that I’ve found my passion in coaching and empowering women. I’m so appreciative that Fempower is my route to do this.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day?
Be confident. So many women have imposter syndrome. And remember, you are more capable than you probably realise.
Describe your ideal day off.
Simple pleasures, like spending quality time with my husband, four children and our dog on a beach in Donegal, taking a walk followed by a nice lunch.
And finally, what’s the key to any successful job search?
In an ideal world, I think you should aim to find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.
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