We've all been there.

Spent hours completing a huge application form only to learn we didn't get the funding; support or spot in the accelerator we really wanted to be part of.

It's a great big blow and a huge feeling of FOMO (missing out)!

You just so desperately wanted to be in there with all the experts, peers, advisors, investors etc. You put all your hopes of the success of your social impact on getting a spot, receiving that funding or support.

But I want you to remember, Kathryn Luckock, although that support and investment might have been super, super helpful and exactly what you wanted, it's not the only way to build the business and impact you've set out to create.

It's a little hidden secret that not many people want you to know but you're more than capable on your own (but if you're looking for a bit of help, I have an invitation for you at the bottom of this email).

Read this first....

I remembered this week, there's one thing most people don't know about me, and are often surprised to learn when I tell them:

• I am one of the "experts" who delivers training or facilitates workshops on revenue generation, sales, pricing, leadership, impact measurement, and business strategy for many of the investment, accelerator and grant programmes you may have been applying for as a social entrepreneur, for example with the School for Social Entrepreneurs, Unltd, Power to Change and the Social Enterprise Academy (so you get access to lots of all the great training, resources, expertise and support you would get in those programmes when you work with me 1:1 or in my monthly membership; plus I have a number of associates with complimentary expertise covering the things I'm not so great at!)

Plus this:

• My professional experience & career spans work leading on diversity, equality & inclusion; community peace-building & cohesion; sustainability & social action; education & training; social mobility; human rights & dignity; youth volunteering & social action; and women's leadership. [I know you have this incredible professional & lived experience too that inspires and informs the work you do now]

• I've been designing and leading award-winning social impact programmes for 15+ years (since I was 23 years old, and managed my very first not-for-profit building understanding between young people from different faiths and cultures through social action & volunteering across London) [Wherever you are in your career I know you've led some really fascinating initiatives that no-one really knows about]

• I've provided thought-leadership & expertise to cross-party working groups, Government Ministers, Religious Leaders, thousands of feisty teenagers, as well as hundreds of social impact business leaders & CEO's throughout my career (discovering my confidence to share what's on my heart and in my head has been one of the most freeing and empowering things) [...it's why I'm so passionate about helping women in particular "find their voice" and express their message]

• I was invited (and funded) by the USA State Department to take a small delegation of students to the White House for 3 days back in 2009 (it was the most incredible experience....and my parents embarrassingly told everyone I was invited & meeting Obama - this didn't happen but I did get to sit in the press room) and participated in an international conference on interfaith dialogue. It was around this time that I also got to meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Rev. Jesse Jackson. [I was in awe but reminded by them both that we can't view these iconic leaders for social justice and civil rights as different from ourselves, they were and are exceptional but the work you do is equally as important and needed - it takes us all, and all our talents]

• I have constantly challenged the status quo, dared to do things differently and taken on initiatives no-one else thought was possible, for example:

  • Creating tools for college leaders to facilitate controversial conversations specifically on the intersection of religious belief and sexuality

  • Facilitating conversations between previously fractious groups who "will never publicly get in the same room together" (or so they said) - I dared to try and I did

  • Organised the first Women's Leadership Conference for Muslim Women Students because they weren't accessing or getting the specific support and opportunities they wanted and needed

  • Organised the first All-Wales Menopause Summit to kick-start the conversation about what was so desperately needed to support women across our nation via different healthcare pathways

  • Developed a unique approach to selling to corporates (rather than relying on corporate sponsorship + gifted time) for a programme still seen as a "nice to do", charitable activity by most business leaders (that built over £1 million revenue in 8 years)

  • And dared to say: that we all need to be more confident & comfortable with sales and selling as social entrepreneurs if we actually want to transform the way the business world operates for good!

I share this because we're not good at declaring what we're great at. At promoting our incredible successes and leadership qualities but it's helpful as a social impact leader to know what sets you apart, inspires your leadership approach and has brought you to this moment in your career.

At times we can forget what makes us incredible leaders for social change.

So by sharing some of my successes & expertise, I hope you feel empowered to do the same with your own audiences, clients & colleagues. Because this is what sets you apart and lights you up!

It's ok to be re-inspired by the amazing things you've done, are doing or will do!

If you've been looking to work with a coach, who gets you and everything you're about; who's here to support your vision and way of doing things; who's committed to helping you fully express all that you are I'd love for you to a) come and join me in The Experience starting next week to find out what it's like working with me, or b) simply dive right in to the Social Impact Leaders Lounge now, if you know it's the community for you and you want to jump on your introductory 1:1 coaching call with me this week (that all new members get when they join).

​You can sign up on the same page here. (Obviously you can do both too).