On listening to instinct over the loud voice of convention, and the quiet new voices of power
With Jo Proud, founder of Mood Bears
As women, we often face societal pressures that push us to question our instincts. Jo’s story is no exception. Raised in a traditional household, her early lessons in life were that success equated to marriage and homemaking. Her mum told her that she would find a husband who would be her best friend, and that’s what success would look like. But Jo had other plans, driven by an instinctive desire to forge her own path.
Jo’s story of entrepreneurship began from a deeply personal place. During a battle with her mental health, she turned to doodling as solace. What started as simple middle-of-the-night sketches to save her sanity grew into Mood Bears - a line of emotional support bears that are now globally licensed, and help children all over the world manage and understand their emotions. Trusting her instinct to transform her doodles into something tangible was a significant leap, one she describes as "the biggest risk of [her] life." But she pressed ahead, spending £1600 on a single prototype, before ordering a 40ft shipping container full of bears from China.
In spite of the skepticism Jo faced, and instead of succumbing to doubt, Jo was fuelled by it: "Watch me," she declared, channelling that doubt into determination.
The gamble paid off. Jo navigated unfamiliar territories - from manufacturing to large-scale product launches - by leveraging her skills and determination. She credits her willingness to learn on the go and address challenges head-on as key to her success.
What struck me most about Jo, is her quiet, unassuming nature. In a world where power traditionally sounds male and loud, Jo is a reminder that quiet, female voices have no less power, and it’s merely a question of our own judgments. Given the past week, and some of the world’s most powerful male voices being used to do nothing more useful than sling mud, I can’t be the only one who is ready to hear, elevate and celebrate different voices that we might not have previously heard.
Clearly, other powerful voices knew to sit up and pay attention to the work Jo was doing, when she got a never-before-seen investment on Dragons’ Den that helped her leverage those connections and open doors that took her brand to new levels.
Jo’s journey from a constrained, traditional life to becoming a successful entrepreneur encapsulates the essence of trusting your instincts, and owning your voice - however it sounds. Her story reminded me that while the world might not always recognise women's potential, the proof is plain to see, in the lives of ordinary women doing extraordinary things.
Trusting your instincts isn't just a foundational step towards professional success; it’s part of living authentically. Are you listening to your instincts today? Whether you’re contemplating a major life decision or a new business venture, remember Jo’s words: “always go with your gut feeling”.
Embrace the journey, it might help you turn doodles into dreams.
Listen to Jo’s story here:
Back next week
Nicky xx
PS - it would be remiss not to mention that the thing I started after trusting my own instincts - The Wilder Collective - is open now, until Friday 20th June. It’s my online community for female founders and freelancers building their work lives their way. Find out more and apply here.