Flloyd Kennedy
Flloyd Kennedy is a freelance actress, director, singer-songwriter, poet and podcast creator.
She tells us that, “I participated in the British folk revival in the late 1960s, ran a restaurant in the Hebrides in the 70s, a touring theatre company in Scotland the 80’s and 90s, taught voice, accents and acting skills in the UK, US and Australia. I’m an Associate Artist with the International School for Acting And Creativity and a proud member of British Actors Equity. My comedy-drama Am I Old Yet? is available on all major podcasting apps, poetry collections are available from local and online booksellers, and songs are available on Bandcamp.”
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
I grew up in North Queensland and PNG, went to boarding school at the age of 9. A solitary child who spent a lot of time making up stories in my head while sitting under a tree in the back yard or the school grounds. I left school at the age of 15 and worked in a bank while dreaming of being an actress, working with pro-am theatre groups. At 22, I moved to the UK where I met and married a Scottish folk singer, moved to Scotland, opened a restaurant and raised 2 boys. I worked as a freelance actress and ran youth theatre groups, studying various voice training methodologies, and gradually established a voice/acting coaching practice, with the help of a government programme..
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”
The need to earn a living while I waited for my acting career to take off. Still waiting.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
Absolutely! Keep training, learning, while you jump in and do it anyway. And then learn some more.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
There are some great role models out there, and the main quality that I want to emulate is their ability to stay grounded, to keep a good work-life balance, and take time to smell the roses.
What’s the most important thing you have learned in your personal life and professional journey? What is your personal motto in life?
Breathe out. Listen.. Compassion – especially for yourself.
With your grit and determination, you are making a considerable impact, breaking through, and serving as role models for many budding entrepreneurs. What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
Be honest with yourself, trust your judgment and be prepared to change your mind.