ABOUT

Tell us who you are!

Liana Fricker, 38, Founder, Inspirer-in-Chief and CEO.

So what do you actually do?

I’m a strategist, problem solver and creative thinker. I use my experience building niche communities for global brands to connect the dots between small businesses and Founders and the resources they need to thrive.

What has your career path been?

I started my career in Fashion PR but that life wasn't for me. After 18 months I joined the graduate training scheme at a well renowned international PR company, where I learned a lot but it was too big and bureaucratic. I left to work at a start-up creative agency and was made redundant after they lost a key account.

As luck would have it, I landed my goldilocks job at another start-up creative agency that worked at the intersection of fashion, technology, design, music and culture. Here, my entrepreneurial spirit was set free and I was an account director for big brands such as Bacardi and the NHS.

But, travelling the world and overwork led to burnout and I decided to leave the agency by way of starting a family. At the time, flexible working for mother's wasn't a thing and I didn't earn enough to justify the significantly increased cost of working with a baby so I knew the consequence of this choice would be leaving traditional employment.

The positive spin I put on the sad fact many working mothers are faced with a plethora of less than ideal choices was a game-changing moment for me. Being a new mom gave me space and creative freedom that I had never known and eventually, the idea to start my own business began to take shape.

In 2018 I started Inspiration Space originally as an alternative to traditional networking groups. Luck struck yet again and I met my mentor about three months into my start up journey. Together, we have reimagined Inspiration Space into a platform where we use education, community and knowledge exchange to democratise business for the progress of us all.

One of my career highlights was in 2019, when I was invited to Downing Street as part of a small group of 12 entrepreneurs invited to speak with the Prime Minister about how the government can better support start-ups and small businesses.

What is the best part of your job?

Meeting new people and solving problems. Every day is different, which suits me perfectly. I get to use my creativity to help others and the cherry on top is seeing the contribution I make to other people's businesses out in the world.

What inspired you to do your job?

I have a passion for progress and want to challenge the status quo.

One piece of advice for someone starting in your role?

Be curious and generous. Community building is about being of service first and foremost.

Final words?

Embrace the lightness of being bold. Life is a lot easier when you give yourself permission to go for what you want.

Check out Liana’s socials below!

DAY IN THE LIFE

I have two young kids so my day usually starts getting them ready for school. Because of COVID, my husband, who used to commute into London, is at home and does the morning drop off. This is when I get started for the day - answering emails, checking my calendar and getting organised.

Because no two days are the same, it might be that I have back to back 1:1's with members of the community who need additional mentoring or support. Or I could be scheduled to host a couple of Clubhouse rooms for one of the two clubs I run. We have an accelerator programme called New Beginnings, so if it's a Thursday, I can expect four hours of workshops - which are fun but by the end of the last session at 8:30pm, I am exhausted.

I'm growing a team so I have to check in with folks in marketing or content production to make sure we're on track. Being at the helm of a fast-growing ambitious startup keeps me on my toes as there are always so many balls to juggle.

I do afternoon pick up which is one of the highlights of the day. There's a 20-minute drive to school alone in silence which gives me the opportunity to think or process whatever has happened so far during the day. Then on the way back, I get to have a meaningful and present conversation with my kids - hearing about what they have got up to at school before they turn on their music and tell me to stop talking.