Finding Time to Celebrate Success

There’s been a lot going on in Funny Women land over the last month, and in my personal life too. It’s hard to get the right balance, isn’t it??

?I’m constantly overwhelmed but in a good way!? I’m not used to so many positive things all happening at once and the frustration of not being able to acknowledge this adequately is a bit of a pressure so forgive me if you’ve picked up on any of them, and wondered why I haven’t celebrated more on here – I simply haven’t had time!

?So, in no particular order, here's a quick round up.

My clever and talented daughter Grace Lightman graduated with a BSc in psychology this month from 英国普利茅斯大学 and released her fabulous new single ‘Permanent Vacation’. The accompanying EP is a timely follow up to her incredible first album ‘Silver Eater’, both available on all the usual platforms. A great summer song and I could use long holiday right now!

Holidays will have to wait as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe beckons for Funny Women CIC . I’m super excited that with the help of the BBC Comedy Grant and support from Russells Solicitors , we are running The Glitter Project , our upcoming mentoring initiative during the festival.

Then, hot on the heels of getting the funding to launch this fantastic initiative, I can finally announce The Glitter Project – Part 2: ‘A Safe Place’ , supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England .

My inspiration for The Glitter Project is Jo Fletcher-Cross , one of Funny Women’s non-executive directors and comedian, who was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma brain tumour in summer 2022 on the eve of her Edinburgh debut. With Jo’s blessing we’ve created an enduring legacy to encourage those who are already enjoying a glittering comedy career to pay it forward. It's her image that's been captured in our #GlitterProject branding so wonderfully by Rosana Jimenez our Amsterdam producer.

Getting The Glitter Project off the ground has been a real labour of love and resilience. I’d like to thank my fellow NEDs, volunteers and colleagues for their support and input: Rachel Creeger , Alex Rochford , Kirstin Miller , Eleni Young , Pauline Eyre and Louise Leigh Please come and ‘Meet the Mentors’ if you’re up in Edinburgh for the festival. The first event is being generously hosted by the Gleneagles Townhouse on Sunday 4th August, details here .

?While I was working on this, I received the news that I have been personally recognised as a finalist in the Best Business Women Awards for the Most Inspiring Businesswoman category.? To inspire people with my life’s work is all I can ask! Looking forward to the celebration on 11th October at the Hilton London Syon Park with many other inspiring women!

If all this comedy talk has whetted your appetite for a bit of comedic inspiration, please join me and two other incredible facilitators, Emma Loveday (Copywriter & Copy Consultant) and Claudine Ullman , for the next Funny Women Summer School .? This is our annual antidote to Fringe FOMO taking place in London at the The Groucho Club Ltd. empowering you to put humour right at the centre of your personal and professional life. Book here ASAP and if you join our Funny Women Patreon at the annual 'Amusing' level or above, you get a whopping 50% discount.? What’s not to like?

Last but not least, and a lovely unexpected bonus, Funny Women made it into the NatWest #SE100 list! We are included as one the UK’s top 100 social enterprises and I am quoted in this article here . Thanks to Pioneers Post and NatWest Social & Community Capital (registered charity number: 1079626) for this important recognition.

Business has been hard for many of us in the creative industries over the last year and it has triggered ongoing bouts of depression and underlying anxiety. It’s difficult to let go and enjoy all these wonderful accolades when you've have to face failure due to lack of funding and resources.?

Happy times ahead and a series of ‘wins’ is just what I needed right now. Although there’s no ‘Permanent Vacation’ in store for me (yet!) I’m enjoying the ride.

Now to watch some wins for Great Britain at the Olympics!

Thanks for reading!

Lynne x

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