Eleanor Tweddell, CEO and Founder, Another Door
Eleanor is the founder of Another Door, helping people to see opportunities after a job loss and encouraging people to rethink work. She is an author with Penguin Random House in her book Why losing your job could be the best thing ever to happen to you.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
LinkedIn feels like you see the things you want to see, and there is less pointing at things.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I'm the CEO of Another Door. We are at an exciting part of evolving the brand into an online magazine and media platform. Exciting but also terrifying in equal amounts!
Another Door has been growing its coaching and course offering over the last five years, and now V3, as we call it, will help us reach more people.
I'm also a keynote speaker (talking about How to own change), and we run in-person workshops, so it's great that live events are back!
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
People find us when they've had enough and want something new in their life. It's rewarding to help people to see the possibility. When we work with businesses, they often want to reset, pause to think, and move forward as a team. It's hugely rewarding.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
'Do it despite it'. They were talking about all the inner chatter stopping you from doing something, holding you back, making you feel bad. Of course, the chatter won't go away, but you can still do what you want to do anyway.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
It's easy to have days when choosing a quieter path feels tempting, but when you can choose the hard path, life is easy! I don't want to get to a point in life and think I didn't try. Life can be exciting, surprising, and adventurous if you are prepared to take some chances. It's not easy, but it's possible.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
That I've tried and continue trying.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
I like online communities, especially if they have a cause or create energy around a topic. It's powerful when everyone feels united to help each other.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
I've been in communications for 25 years of my corporate career. This has given me everything I need to know to run my own business. Keeping calm in a crisis, knowing what to say and when to say it and finding the fun and gift in everything.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
That I was making all the right decisions. So, no need to waste time worrying if that was the case.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
The Amazing If team Helen and Sarah are a force!
Jessica Huie has a magical presence.
Grayson Perry needs to rule the World.
And Paul Smith needs to design it!
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
Walking is finally high on my priority list. I live in The Lake District, UK, so there is no excuse for getting out into the hills and hiking. Setting off with few plans and seeing what happens is the best day away from the office.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
I would say a neutral effect. The business was ok, there were lots to do, but at times it did get hard to know where the next clients were coming from. But working on staying ok and trusting yourself has been a big thing to learn and grow from.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
I don't have a mentor, but I have a few coaches. I have mentored a few people to grow their side business while at work, but now that's also a service we offer.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Know that you have to start small, one step a day, and slowly it will come. Patience is key. And it will take longer than what you think and hope for.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Patience! There is no overnight success, but it will come.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
"Sometimes you just have to get over yourself and help yourself succeed."
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
I'm very much about small independent businesses now. Large is dull, almost utility. I love Spoke; the wellbeing app, We are the City; the female founder's community, and The Do Lectures, an inspiration company.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
Success is most certainly a mindset. Only you can set your definition of success, and you can completely change that at any time. Only you get to decide if you are successful or not. That's maybe the hardest part because we all want external validation by nature. Work on your success story and see the great things you are doing each day.