About Sophie
THE SHORT STORY
Hi, I’m Sophie Clyde-Smith, Business Coach & Mentor for Female Solopreneurs I’m also a mother, sister, wife, friend and so much more.
Over the last ten years, I’ve been on a journey of personal and professional discovery that has led to me building a business and lifestyle focused around my strengths and passions.
After working as a recruitment consultant in Jersey, I moved to London to pursue a career within my real passion – wellness. Joining a digital wellness startup, I applied my recruitment experience to help others build careers within wellness. It was in this role I discovered a growing passion for coaching and began to transition my career for the second time.
After months of side-hustling and putting in the inner work, I felt ready to set up my own business. Through coaching and events, my mission is to help other women discover their potential and cultivate a fulfilling life on their own terms through the authentic development of their businesses.
Now based back in Jersey, I am discovering the new, challenging, world of being both a mum and a business owner. Alongside my coaching practice, I aim to support and inspire the growing female entrepreneur scene in Jersey through Alt Collective.
MY EXPERIENCE IN A NUTSHELL
Biomedical Science Degree, 5 years experience in recruitment, 3 years experience in the wellness industry, 5 years experience as a Careers & Business Coach, Transformational Life Coaching Diploma, 3 years experience running an in-person & online coaching business.
I’ve done the 9-5 corporate thing, freelanced, had a bridging role, numerous side-hustles and now run two businesses. I’ve seen and done it all!
THE LONG STORY
I have built a career and lifestyle focused on my strengths, passions, curiosities, personal preferences and my core values.
I didn’t however always know what I wanted to do… I wasn’t one of those people who had a calling from day dot.
In fact, after completing my university degree I was completely and utterly lost and fell into the recruitment world. For the next 4 years I worked closely with hiring managers and heads of departments, predominantly in the financial services industry, to help them build their teams.
But I came to realise that whilst I enjoyed my job, I wasn’t recruiting in an area I was personally passionate about. What really lit me up, and was where I spent all my time out of work, my 5pm – 9pm, was health and wellness.
So I packed my bags and headed to the city of opportunity… London.
CAREER TRANSITION NUMBER ONE OF TWO
I decided to get a bridging job to support myself financially and provide the space to gather my thoughts. Whilst I was doing this, I developed and cultivated a relationship with my soon to be new employer – Welltodo, a digital wellness startup whose mission was to help people build incredible businesses and careers in the wellness space.
After doing some part-time consulting work for Welltodo for a few months, on top of my full-time role, I finally got myself in a position where they offered me a permanent job as a full-time employee.
START-UP LIFE
I strategically picked up the skill set from my recruitment career and applied it to a new industry, one that I was truly passionate about – wellness. I took a risk in joining this company, that only had 3 other employees, in a role that was unclear. But I seized the chance and threw myself in. I was surrounded by entrepreneurs, by like-minded people, by fledgling start-ups and people with a passion for helping improve the lives of others.
I was also surrounded by Coaches (even my boss was one!) and so I was introduced to the idea of being a coach myself. Without realising it, through my recruitment experience, I had been honing the skills that would form the foundation of my skills as a Careers Coach.
2 years in to this role and having completed a Transformational Life Coaching Diploma, I finally had the realisation that I had found my calling, that this was what I was meant to do…
I WAS MEANT TO BE A COACH.
Whilst I truly LOVED my job and had spent an incredible 18 months gaining a reputation as an expert in helping people transition their careers into the wellness industry, coaching only made up 30% of my role. I was not prepared to settle. I would not settle for a life of passionately loving only 30% of what would make up one third of my entire life.
So began my own career transition into another new industry. I side hustled for a number of months coaching people in my evenings and on the weekends, waiting for the right time to fully make the leap. (Just as a side note – there is never a ‘right time’!)
BECOMING A BUSINESS OWNER
I was not born an entrepreneur…I think that much is obvious.
In fact, until a couple years ago I actively resisted the concept of being one. I had convinced myself that it wasn’t for me… I didn’t have the confidence to own a business, I didn’t have the focus, I didn’t want the responsibility, I wasn’t good enough, I was too scared…
Yet, something deep inside kept showing up. I was jealous of others who owned their own business, I envied those who had quit the 9am – 5pm and forged out an alternative career path.
And after spending a LOT of time on self-reflection, personal growth and development, I finally realised that I do have what it takes, I did want it, I was able, I was good enough.
I have been on a 10-year journey in finding my purpose and have carved out a hugely fulfilling new life for myself. I am self-employed, I enjoy flexible remote working and I have a varied and challenging job. I get to walk my dog whenever I like and am no longer a slave to the commute.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all flowers and rainbows but what gets me through the tough times is the knowledge that I’m making my own decisions and am travelling down a path of my choosing.
I am now dedicated to supporting other female soloprenuers, whether you’re just starting out or are more established, with the goal of helping them to grow their businesses and achieve freedom, flexibility and financial abundance.
With a focus on mindset & strategy, I partner with women and truly take the solo out of the soloprenuer journey.
Testimonials
"Before working with Sophie, I was feeling a little frazzled and overwhelmed, unsure of the direction I wanted to take my business. I knew I wanted to build a successful business, helping, educating and empowering as many people as possible although I was totally stumped with how to do it, constantly comparing myself to others and feeling like I wasn’t getting anywhere.
During our sessions, Sophie helped me clarify and restructure my unique offering, constantly supporting me along the emotional rollercoaster of self-doubt, self-belief and self-criticism.
Sophie has totally transformed my mindset, the way I structure my services and the direction I want to grow the business. I am running my business in a way I never thought possible and couldn’t have done it without her help and support.
Working with Sophie has been the most incredible experience and I cannot recommend her enough!"
Claudia Criswell, Registered Nutritional Therapist, www.claudiacriswell.com
"When I qualified as a Nutritional Therapist I wanted to start my side hustle but didn’t know where to begin. I felt overwhelmed, wasn’t confident about how much to charge for my services and didn’t know if I could do it.
Working with Sophie helped me to address my limiting beliefs, the mindset around money and highlight my values to help to become a thriving, authentic solopreneur and offer my clients the support they deserve."
Martina, Nutritional Therapist
"I contacted Sophie after a recommendation from one of her clients. I was feeling like I could only operate at 30% and would naturally get in my own way about actually completing my ideas.
By nature I can do the dreaming but the practical and self belif WAS very foreign to me. This is where Sophie shines; I was able to practically map out a business idea, and then it was up to me to pull it off.
Sophie was there the whole way, supporting me with changing my own mindset and enabling me to take my learning and growing into my own hands.
I am able to now see things in a positive and practical look, allowing myself to map out a way to go into the wild world without Sophie.
I have launched my business, written a book and I am READY to complete my goals, all thanks to Sophie. Thank you!"
Verena, Girl About The Yard, www.girlabouttheyard.com/
"Before I started coaching with Sophie I felt stuck, I wanted to move forward with what I was building and trying to achieve but I had what seemed like an endless supply of conflicting thoughts, self-doubt and general lack of motivation.
Working with Sophie was like holding a mirror up to myself unravelling my true self from within. It wasn’t creating a list of actions to achieve, it felt like creating foundations upon which I was going to build my future. Since working with Sophie, I do more of what aligns with me and worry less about what other people think. This has enabled me to relax hugely and continue building my own business in a way that is fun and authentic to me.
Sophie supported me by working through some of the tough questions I hadn’t asked myself. She challenged me where needed and continued to hold that mirror up on things I had never even recognised before."
Lesley, Corporate Wellbeing Coach
"The 'Make it Happen’ programme has been an awe-inspiring experience, as well as a truly valuable investment. Being part of a conversant group of like-minded individuals has greatly assisted me to better navigate the steps on my own side hustle journey. Not only do they inspire you to remain committed to your goals, they continually spur you on as your side hustle cheerleaders.
I began Mastermind as a complete novice - curious with no clear direction and overwhelmed with self-limiting beliefs. Sophie provided a space for me to dig deeper and move through the blocks I was experiencing. This has resulted in me gaining the confidence to take positive action towards my goals. I have now launched my own side hustle business and already landed 4 clients in a short space of time.
I am so grateful to Sophie for giving me the tools in order to move my business forward and provide a support platform to keep me accountable."
Camilla – Platter Business
"I wanted to make contact with you just to give you an update on where I am now in my journey which all started with a phone call to you, to discuss the 1:1 coaching sessions and going ahead with them. You really have helped me make life changes!
I have 2 weeks left working with my old company until I become a full-time Classical Pilates instructor, having qualified with Equinox back in May. I will be working for them and have a few other freelance teaching opportunities in talks as well.
I am super excited to embrace this new way of life and wanted to thank you for the guidance and work that helped me change my mindset and make things happen!!
A really big THANK YOU"
Laura Bowler – Pilates Teacher
"I thoroughly enjoyed working with Sophie! I really benefited from her support and guidance at such a crucial stage in my journey. I felt quite lost and nervous about starting my side hustle, but she helped me to identify the areas in which I needed further growth and I now have more self-confidence and belief in myself, thanks to her amazing coaching. I am more focused and ready to achieve my vision. Thanks, Sophie!"
Rory – Wellbeing Coach
"Before my coaching with Sophie, I was plagued by fear of failing or someone realising I was a fraud, the classic imposter syndrome. I was working long long hours and every weekend, not being able to switch off, I had lost the enjoyment of what I was doing and had no clear understanding of ‘why’ anymore.
I was struggling with most was a complete lack of structure in business and my time meaning I spent a lot of time working ineffectively. I felt so overwhelmed that I had no idea what to do or where to start so did more procrastination and then felt guilty.
The best thing I have taken away affects many areas of my personal and business life but in a nutshell, it is understanding myself and my business more.
Now I use my mornings for self-care and give myself proper lunch breaks and well deserved time off in lieu. Its been a brilliant journey and I’ve learned a lot about myself and my business."