This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this insightful episode, Sophie Milliken shares her journey from accidental entrepreneur to the founder of Moja, a thriving modern PR agency.

Sophie reveals the key strategies she used to navigate the male-dominated business landscape of the Northeast, offering practical advice on building confidence and embracing resilience.

You'll learn how to balance multiple responsibilities, including running a business, chairing a charity, and pursuing a PhD, all while avoiding burnout.

Discover how to effectively say no to create more meaningful opportunities and the importance of strong support networks.

Tune in for a conversation packed with valuable lessons for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs.

You can find Sophie Milliken at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-milliken/
• sophiemilliken@thisismoja.com

In the interview, Sophie shares

• "My challenge this year is to say no to more things so that I'm not quite as busy."
• "Moja is a modern PR agency based in the North East of England. We work with entrepreneurs and corporates to raise their profiles within their industry."
• "We do lots of things around award strategy, helping clients win business awards, write books, and get on stage to speak at events."
• "I chair SmartWorks Newcastle, a charity providing education, interview clothing, and coaching for unemployed women across the Northeast."
• "I'm doing a PhD part-time at Durham University Business School, focused on female entrepreneurship."
• "I didn't set out to own a business; I'm an accidental entrepreneur. I didn't have role models in that sense, so I found my way as I went along."
• "Networking with women who were at similar points with their businesses helped me feel comfortable, share challenges, and grow my confidence."
• "I feel passionately about the Northeast of England as a place to do business. I want to promote the region and support women to realize their ambitions."
• "I think resilience is really important for any entrepreneur. You need to keep going even when things don't go as planned."
• "Last year, I felt burnt out and exhausted. I've started saying no to more things and focusing on my well-being to avoid reaching that point again."