Vanessa White of Vanessa White Breakup and Divorce Coach has had a wonderful 2023

December is here! Christmas lights are up and businesses are starting to wind down to take a break over the festive season.

Today we’re talking to Vanessa White who is an accredited breakup and divorce master coach. She supports individuals emotionally and practically to recover from any kind of breakup, separation or divorce, no matter how complex.

What does December mean for your business?
December is a busy time for me for two main reasons: I get clients old and new seeking specific advice and support at this time of year. Christmas and New Year can be very traumatic for individuals who are separated or divorced – some may be facing their first festive period like this and so need support in the lead up to help them to plan and reframe the experience going forward. When children are involved in a breakup then this can be very difficult for single parents and help from an expert like me can be invaluable in navigating this successfully. 

Secondly, January is peak time for separations and breakups, with the first working Monday of January unfortunately being dubbed ‘Divorce Day’ due to the higher rate of calls to Family Lawyers at this time. In preparation for a rise in potential clients seeking my help, I use December to plan my schedule, social media presence and respond to the request for articles and comments so that I am fully prepared to give my clients the quality service that they expect and need from me in the New Year.

Give us a flavour of your highlights of 2023.
In 2023 I took the leap to run my business full time, rather than ‘juggling’ it with a permanent job while it grew. I realised that you can only grow a business to a certain level like this and I wanted to put all my focus into my coaching business. This took self-belief to know that I can make a success of it and make it financially viable as my sole source of income.

I have expanded my business network, which has obviously been invaluable to business growth, but I have also formed some lovely friendships along the way too.

On a personal level all my children have now left school and are over 18, which feels like a great milestone, especially as I have brought them up mainly as a single parent. They are wonderful young people and I’m so proud of each of them.

I am in a lovely romantic relationship which brings me much happiness.

Would you like to thank anyone who has been especially helpful to you throughout this year?
I'd like to thank:

• Crystal Stewart of Stalwart Solicitors, London. Crystal is a Family Lawyer who has been very supportive and positive about what I do, and fundamental in widening my business network.
• Angela Roberts of Cotswold Networking, Gloucestershire. Angela runs a very successful networking organisation in my area. She has made me very welcome and introduced me to many people.
• My children – it might sound cliche, but my children’s support means everything. Not to mention the fact they are so tech and social media savvy!
• David, for being the kind of partner I have never had before. Thank you.

Have you done anything for charity or your community this year?
I am a trained Volunteer Crisis Counsellor with SHOUT 85258, the free, confidential, anonymous text support service. I have volunteered for nearly 3 years and try to do a shift as often as I can. It can be emotionally tough work, but it’s important for me to help people when they are at their lowest. It’s hugely rewarding.

Christmas will, of course, be big news in December. What does this mean for you? 
I personally love Christmas, even though I have not always had the happiest of times. It makes me reflect on my year and focus on the people I love and care about. 

December 3 was Small Business Saturday in the UK. Can you name up to three local independent retail businesses you would recommend using? 
I'd happily recommend:

• Oops A Daisy Florist, Cirencester
• Knead Bakery, Cirencester (They do have other branches)
• Law & Co Boutique, Cirencester (They do have other branches)

December 20 is the Festival of Winter Walks. Do you love any walks in your own community that you could recommend?
I have a Dachshund called Frank and the Dachshund’s of Cirencester Festive Walk was on Sunday 3rd December 11.30 at The Gilbertine Kitchen, Poulton. It was a wonderful walk and Frank loved it

What has been your proudest personal moment in 2023?
My proudest moment has been realising that after many, many decades I finally value myself, believe in myself and understand my worth. Getting here has been unspeakably challenging and so the pride I have for myself is huge.

If you could choose three words to sum up 2023 – what would they be – and why? 
I think I would choose the words:
Exciting – I am running my own business full-time, meeting lots of interesting people and doing the work I really want to do. In fact, if often doesn’t even feel like ‘work’!
Terrifying – I have been pushed out of my comfort zone so many times this year and forced myself to say ‘yes’ to things that I might have automatically said ‘no’ to previously. It has been the only way to grow myself and my business.
Proud – My life is completely different in so many ways from this time last year. It has been tough at times, but worth it to achieve my goals. I am incredibly proud of myself on a professional, but more importantly a personal level.

For more information on Vanessa visit https://www.vanessawhite.co.uk/