Beverley Akufo-Addo
Beverley Akufo-Addo is the founder of Vybe365 – a coaching and consulting organisation that equips teams and individuals with the effective, sustainable tools they need to take their diversity, equity and inclusion work to the next level. With a strong background in media, communications, music and dance, Beverley has helped bring positive change to local authorities, Higher Education, STEM industries, policing and more through her experiences of Black British culture, women’s health, and social injustice. Beverley continues challenging herself and those around her to live outside their comfort zones while making bold, brave, and daring decisions in both our personal and professional lives.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
I loved learning and building relationships with people, as well as bringing people together. I’d always try things out and go for things, even when nervous. Although I experienced incredible low times due to my PCOS (a hormonal reproductive issue that can also cause excess facial hair), I was always adamant not to let it take over my life. A large part of the coaching I do now stemmed from my own lack of self-esteem when younger, which was caused by body image and societal expectations. I also used to be quite a people-pleaser, which changed when I experienced a big health challenge, and doctors warned me that I could lose my eyesight if I didn’t slow down. That was a loud wake up call to prioritise myself and my needs more, and do a better job at communicating this to those around me.
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!”
I asked myself whether I would regret not starting, and the answer was yes. Out of all things, regret is something I do my best to eliminate. Plus, having created a successful strategy to transform the trajectory of my life, it gives me so much joy being able to help hundreds of other people worldwide too. Especially once they see how much simpler it can be when actually working with an experienced coach.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
Vybe365 is a coaching and consulting business that helps people believe in themselves again and create unstoppable confidence without self-doubt. Our signature DARE model focuses on not only stepping outside of the comfort zone, but living and thriving in it.
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?
For a world where everyone goes for the things they truly desire without fear of failure, rejection or other people’s opinions
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?
Women leadership in BOOMING and it will continue to grow. Let’s continue supporting and rooting for one another, there is space for us all. And you always deserve to take up that space while helping other amazing women fulfill theirs too.
What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
Don’t be afraid to throw yourself into new things. You don’t need to see the whole staircase before taking the first step