Wonder Woman Wednesday - Sophie Bennett

Meet our Wednesday Wonder Woman - Sophie Bennett;

Author, Speaker and Business Mentor.

When you were a little girl, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to ride horses all day. I used to imagine a little Secret door in my wall that nobody could see. At night the doors would open and my my own pony was behind that door. He just had to wait for everybody to go to bed so he could come out and nuzzle me!

What do you do now? For work? For fun?

I rode horses professionally for 15 years, but now I’m a bit older I have my other passion as my business; books and writing. I help people write their books so they can get win more clients for their business and become build their brand.

As a book coach I work with some fascinating people. Getting your book working with your marketing machine takes specialist knowledge too, so that’s part of the new book coaching program that is launching soon.

Because my book is about money mindset, I still do some coaching about overcoming money stumbling blocks. My own book is called Money Bondage - Discover the Power of Mind Over Money and I’m still stunned about its no. 1 bestseller status. It was even above Think and Grow Rich and Rich Dad, Poor Dad in the Amazon charts. It’s about our emotional journey and how we relate to our money. It’s still hugely popular and brings a new connection or business opportunity every week.

How did you get into your area of expertise?

My Dad was a journalist, so I had always been a huge reader and he taught me how to tell a good story when I was a little girl.

At the end of my professional riding career I wanted to write. I caught a lucky break and ended up working in a little boutique firm that wrote all manner of specialist content for businesses. They trained me up to do things in a structured way and even helped me get qualified to train other writers. That was 15 years ago and since then, writing has taken me all over the world and made me a great living.

What obstacles have you faced in following your dreams and how have you overcome them?

After I stopped riding there was a horrible period where I ended up £68,000 in debt! It felt like my world was falling apart. I hadn’t ridden at the Olympics and felt like a failure for not making the team. I was 30, with no qualifications, no money and no formal work experience.

It was a frightening time. But I rolled up my reading sleeves and immersed myself in the books from success coaches like Tony Robbins and Brian Tracy. I changed my thinking - and managed to turn things around. Things go full circle, and years later, Brian Tracey endorsed my book.

It shows you anything is possible with a vision, a bunch of hope and a bit of time!

What’s the best part of what you do?

Getting insight into other peoples’ expertise. It’s amazing I listen to how much people know. It’s just a matter of helping them put a framework around what they know and work out how to use their knowledge to get more clients. I love seeing a business come together!

What advice do you have for other women who might want to follow suit?

Have a clear vision of how you want to live your life and follow your dream. Ask yourself exactly how you want your daily life to be and then work on building a business (or having a job) that will allow that to be your reality. Be patient with yourself, avoid burn out by looking after yourself and don’t let other people project their own fears onto your dreams. It’s you life - and you deserve that it’s a wonderful one.

What’s your morning routine?

I’m not really a morning person! A lot of writers are night owls. I start slowly with a cup of tea. I give the dogs their breakfast and spend a few minutes looking at the view and coming to. After a cup of strong coffee I’m human, and start getting on with my day.

3 things that are on your ‘to do’ list today?

Hand over a chapter of a book that I have written for Ellie, my PA, to edit and submit to the publisher.
I have 3 calls to clients who want coaching, so I need to price the right coaching pack for them and get the invoices out.
With the time that’s left I am going build the next batch of slides for the online version of the Book Writing Bootcamp. I’m planning to launch that in summer of 2015.

What are you working on at the moment? Next project?

I have just kicked of a money mindset workshop online, and that’s amazing. The chance to change people’s lives, where ever they are in the world.

Going forward the “Book Writing Bootcamp” is the main focus. I’m just about to run the pilot version to a handful of people. I will take them through the book creation and publishing process using my MAGIC formula, and they are going to help polish for a bigger roll-out later this year. It’s a great way to get testimonials before a serious launch too.

One woman you admire and why?

Alicia Florrick from the great show “The Good Wife”. She’s cool, human and juggles so much - and grows through all of it.

Three wishes?

1. That one of my book students hits the jackpot and produces a book that goes global.

2. That I am able to find the time to compete my young horse in 2015

3. Grow the business and be able to connect people with what they love to do.

Who do you turn to for advice?

I’ve got a great group of people I stay connected to. I do a fair bit of public speaking and many of my fellow speakers have also had a pretty rough journey and have come out of the other side. I have friends who specialise in growing businesses, health and well-being and marketing. And then, of course, for everything else; there’s Mum….

Who do you turn to for a shoulder to cry on?

My Mum. We speak every day, even though we live a long way apart. She’s my rock.

Favourite book?

Think and Grow Rich. It took me a few years to understand it, but everything you need to know about life and business is buried in there - even though the language takes a bit of getting used to.

Favourite movie?

The Bridges of Madison County. It gets me every time!

Favourite childhood game?

Cleudo. I used to love trying to connect the clues.

Fantasy career? Why?

I’m doing it…. I’m a lucky girl.

Words for Monday motivation?

You won’t be remembered for what you’ve done, You will be remembered for what you have OVERCOME. So make this week the week that makes a difference.

#FeelGoodFriday song?

I Feel Good by James Brown. It’s my walk-on music when I’m in speaker mode. It’s impossible not to smile and have a little wiggle to.

Favourite quote?

“Some people make things happen, some people watch things happen, and some people wonder what happened." - Mary Kay