My Journey to CEO: The Experiences Which Shaped My Story

In 2013, at the age of 27, I co-founded Solutions for the Planet, a venture that would ultimately lead me into the role of CEO alongside my business partner and good friend, Kat Luckock. Looking back over the past 10 years, which are marked by success, failure, new opportunities, and profound learning experiences, I now recognize how the challenges of my childhood and early adulthood guided me to exactly the place I needed to be to become the CEO of a business, whose mission I believe in so passionately.

Raised in Leicester, amidst the challenges of a tough council estate, my formative years were characterized by a demanding secondary school experience. I was enthusiastic for learning and had positive relationships with school staff in a school where this was not the norm. I initiated a peer mediation service, engaged in various extracurricular activities, I was a keeno which led to me being awarded 'Student of the Year' three out of five years (who wanted that person as their best friend hey?). I think it's fair to say I sat outside the norm, whilst a lot of my peers just wanted to survive secondary school, I wanted to thrive and lived by the mantra of "get comfortable being uncomfortable" — principles that have profoundly influenced my entrepreneurial outlook.

My parents, with their unwavering beliefs in equal access to education, community, and responsibility, played a pivotal role in shaping my values. At 16, I departed for South Wales to join the global education movement, United World Colleges , where I discovered the power of curiosity in bridging divides and fostering connections across diverse backgrounds — a tool I continue to employ as a CEO.

Post-school adventures included an overland trip in sub-Saharan Africa, exploration of my mother's birthplace in Ahmadnagar, India, and an enriching experience in Thailand. These travels instilled a deep appreciation for the vastness of the world and the importance of maintaining an ever-curious mindset.

My educational journey took me to University of West England in Bristol, the place I now call home, to study International Relations and Social Psychology, spending my second year as an au pair in France and studying at Science Po, Bordeaux and a Business and Community MSc t Bath University.? Whilst the Masters itself was disappointingly more academic than practical, the experience reinforced my views about the importance of relevant project based and applied learning.? On top of that, the connections I made at this time paved the way, like a yellow brick road, to Solutions for the Planet.

Professional roles in Surrey advocating for disabled people and as a Partnership Development Officer at the British Red Cross in Nottingham further fuelled my commitment to social impact. Facing team redundancy in 2011, I ventured into social entrepreneurship, launching Independent Voices for Engagement, a Nottingham-based initiative supporting those with learning disabilities and their carers.? This venture included self-advocacy support, community engagement, and information and advice for carers. It also included lots of lessons about the importance of teamwork, communication, accountability, responsibility, community, partnership, success and failure.

The full story of Solutions for the Planet is one for another day, but it began with a pivotal moment when Kat and I seized the opportunity to transform a grant-funded project into a social enterprise. Ten years later, I take pride in the success of our sustainability-focused enterprise program.Upon assuming the role of CEO, I grappled with the pressure of having all the answers, only to learn that true leadership involves asking questions and making informed decisions. My diverse experiences, from grassroots advocacy to large-scale partnership development, provided me with a holistic perspective that I bring to my role as CEO. This journey exposed me to the stark contrast between the corporate and community realms. In the corporate sphere, the pursuit of power and wealth often overshadowed a genuine sense of purpose and social responsibility. More money did not necessarily translate into a deeper commitment to positive social impact. This realisation highlighted the disconnection between financial success and the fulfilment I sought. It was a powerful reminder that true leadership involves more than just accumulating power or money —it requires a genuine commitment to collaboration, embracing uniqueness, and recognising the transformative potential of connecting businesses with education. This stark contrast fuelled my dedication to creating a space where profit and social responsibility coexist, fostering a sense of purpose that transcends the traditional corporate mindset.

My journey is not about personal success but about empowering others, particularly those who may not recognise their full potential. Every day, the incredible team at Solutions for the Planet reinforces the transformative power of embracing uniqueness and striving for change

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As I reflect on the challenges and triumphs that brought me here, I am humbled by the collective effort of those on this journey with me. ?I am not na?ve to the role that privilege has played in my journey as a white, heterosexual, cisgender woman and I own that as part of my story.? My belief remains that each of us, empowered by our individual background, has the power to make a difference.? True leadership, I've learned, is not defined by the absence of challenges but by the ability to navigate and learn from them.

Honoured to serve as CEO at Solutions for the Planet, my dedication remains steadfast in creating spaces where young voices are heard, businesses transcend mere profit, and we unite for the well-being of the planet. The journey continues, and I eagerly anticipate the unwritten chapters yet to come.

Yours with hope and gratitude,

Jen