In this episode of Strings to Your Bow, Chloe is joined by Yvonne Cookson from iThink 365. Yvonne shares her inspiring journey from accountant to tech industry professional and business leader, exploring how personal experiences, resilience, and authenticity have shaped her career and contributed to her success.

Listeners will hear Yvonne talk candidly about her career pivots, launching her own award-winning accountancy practice, her personal challenges including parenting and an ADHD diagnosis, and how these experiences have influenced her professional life.

Key Topics Covered

• Yvonne’s career journey: from accountant to business leader at iThink 365
• Transitioning industries and embracing new challenges
• Balancing parenthood with career ambitions
• How personal resilience and adaptability translate into business success
• The role of authenticity in professional relationships and leadership
• Influence of role models, family, and mentors
• Overcoming fears and personal achievements, including co-authoring mindfulness books and skydiving
• Lessons learned about collaboration, trust, and diversity in the workplace

Highlights / Quotes

• “Business was my passion; accountancy was never my passion.” – Yvonne Cookson
• “What you see is what you get with me. I’m the same at work as I am in my personal life.” – Yvonne Cookson
• “My children have spurred me on throughout my career – anything is possible if you put your mind to it.” – Yvonne Cookson
• “The lessons we take from life are the foundations of our business success.” – Chloe Weatherhead

Resources & Links

• iThink 365: https://www.ithink365.com
• Connect with Yvonne Cookson: [LinkedIn Profile] (insert link)
• Follow Strings to Your Bow on social media using #StringsToYourBowPodcast

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share Strings to Your Bow with anyone who might find it helpful!

Thanks for tuning in—I’ll see you next time for another inspiring conversation. Until then, keep discovering your strengths and adding new strings to your bow!

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Find out more about Andiamo Business Assistance

In this episode of Strings to Your Bow, Chloe Weatherhead talks with Mike Mandeville about his unconventional journey—from working on oil rigs in Abu Dhabi at 14 to the Army reserves, marketing, and ultimately self-employment. Mike shares how early experiences, family influences, and personal challenges shaped his approach to business, leadership, and life.

Learn how:

• Personal and career experiences can shape your unique superpower in business.
• Trusting your instincts and judgment is key to self-employment success.
• Resilience, adaptability, and reliability create lasting impact.

Key Takeaways:

• Success is personal—focus on stability and values, not just titles or income.
• Your upbringing and early experiences shape your work ethic and leadership style.
• Going self-employed can give you freedom, responsibility, and confidence.
• Being reliable and supportive is a legacy that lasts longer than monetary success.

Guest Bio:
Mike Mandeville is co-founder of Chip Engineering, an industrial electrical company specialising in asphalt plants. His career spans working in Abu Dhabi, the Army reserves, marketing, and now entrepreneurship. Mike is passionate about hands-on work, teamwork, and building a business grounded in trust and reliability.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share Strings to Your Bow with anyone who might find it helpful!

Thanks for tuning in—I’ll see you next time for another inspiring conversation. Until then, keep discovering your strengths and adding new strings to your bow!

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Say 'hi' on Instagram

Find out more about Andiamo Business Assistance

In this episode, Chloe speaks with Vienda, founder of The Mentor Training, about turning lived experiences into professional superpowers. From studying psychology to creating a globally recognised mentoring certification, Vienda shares her journey of self-trust, resilience, and embracing fear as a signal for growth.

Key Takeaways

• Fear vs. growth: Fear is often a sign that you’re moving in the right direction.
• Self-trust is key: Business success comes from trusting yourself rather than copying others’ models.
• Life experience matters: Personal challenges often equip us with the empathy and insight to support others.
• Authenticity attracts: Vulnerability and honesty create deeper connections than “perfect” appearances.
• Adaptability mindset: Trust that life is working for you, cultivate inner safety, and surrender control over what you can’t change.
• Business insight: Success is less about certainty and more about being comfortable with the unknown.

Resources & Links

🌐 Learn more at: thementortraining.com
📲 Follow Vienda on Instagram: @viendamaria

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share Strings to Your Bow with anyone who might find it helpful!

Thanks for tuning in—I’ll see you next time for another inspiring conversation. Until then, keep discovering your strengths and adding new strings to your bow!

Follow me on Facebook

Connect with me on LinkedIn

Say 'hi' on Instagram

Find out more about Andiamo Business Assistance