Introducing: The 411.
Month-end musings navigating business ownership.
I enjoy the writing process but really grappled with how that might manifest itself within my business. I recently left my role at Nike to evolve MANON into a Mindset Coaching and Independent Consultancy for black and brown women in the football industry.
I’m excited to get to know a new version of myself as a Founder and an integral part of that journey will be self-reflection. I concluded that, on the last day of each month, I’ll be sharing The 411.
4 musings - these could be observations, lessons, questions, thoughts - whatever I feel compelled to mention
1 picture taken by me
1 song that I’ve been listening to
I hope you enjoy The 411 - leave a comment, send me a message or share with your friends if the feeling strikes you.
Pride & Satisfaction
I met a new friend last month and upon telling her about my business venture, she said: ‘You should be really proud.’ My instinctive response both surprised and comforted me: ‘I am.’ I threw back, immediately. ‘Even if I never work with one woman on this journey, I know that I’m offering a service that is so needed and I can be proud of the work that I’m ready, willing and able to do.’ That being, said, I, of course, wouldn’t be satisfied if that was the case, but arriving at this insight really set me free.
What I’m saying is, I’m fired up, ready to go, and can’t wait to work with the women who have already signed up for coaching.
What’s New, Pussycat?
It’s common to hear the phrase ‘do something that scares you every day.’ In Amsterdam, negotiating a particularly tricky junction on your bike can thankfully fulfil that need, so I’m suggesting something a little different.
I don’t consider myself someone who embarrasses very easily, but this month I had an experience which left me feeling somewhere close to that. At a birthday dinner, where the guests consisted of old friends, newer friends and people I’d never met before, I incorrectly heard the question ‘Would you rather have a cat or a dog?’ assuming I’d been asked ‘Would you rather be a cat or a dog?’
What ensued was essentially a 45-second skit of me oscillating between acting like a nonchalant tabby, re-enacting Michelle Pfeiffer’s Batman Returns transformation and then sloping seamlessly into an impression of a sassy Siamese, pawing at my glass on the table, before I was kindly enlightened on the actual question.
I’ve been laughing spontaneously about this ever since.
Be more cat and embarrass yourself regularly, it can often be quite fun and liberating.
No Place Like Home
Feel like listening to me wax lyrical about writing letters to your past and future self, denying my Illuminati association and talking more about MANON’s mission? I got you.
I had the pleasure of speaking to Joseph Fordham this month about the evolution of MANON on his podcast, NPLH.
Jamaica, Land We Love
Next month I’ll go to my father’s homeland of Jamaica for the first time. He was born there in the 50s, moved to England before he was 1 and is yet to return.
I’ve always had a close yet distant relationship to the island and have been wanting and meaning to go for so long. While the overriding emotion is excitement at the prospect of discovering the place and parts of myself that are yet unknown, there’s also a nervous anticipation of wanting to love it so much. More on that in December.
Song of the month
I’m Jenny Simmons, Founder of MANON, a Mindset Coaching & Independent Consultancy focused on developing black and brown women working in the football industry. My aim is to positively impact client’s everyday lives, as well as their experiences in the workplace. Book a free discovery call with me to chat about how I could help you, your brand or your business.
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