Staying Positive A Secret Recipe

Staying positive was the theme for Kiki Maurey's talk to The Wessex Women on Tuesday March 22nd and it was a full house. Thirty four ladies gathered at The Cloud Hotel to hear Kiki's secret recipe of how to stay positive something we all need to do in these times of recession, wars and tsunamis. However I still believe we have plenty to be grateful for in this country and after listening to Kiki I think many of us felt inspired and motivated to move forward with our lives and love what we do. Maybe I'm one of the lucky ones but I do enjoy what I do and love the challenges that life throws at me every day. [Well most days!] Kiki lives in the New Forest National Park and we met at one of everywoman's conferences in London. We are also both members of Modern Muse. Kiki is a Professional Effectiveness Coach, Trainer and Speaker and her details can be found on http://www.kikimaurey.com/
The beautiful Spring weather should make us all feel happier and lift our spirits. I hope you have had the chance to get out into the fresh air and enjoy it. I love Spring in The New Forest and I feel very spoilt living in such a beautiful location where I can just step outside my hotel and Nordic Walk with Karen Guttridge in the open forest. The gardens are full of daffodils and almond blossom the green shoots are beginning to appear on the trees. The clocks go forward an hour on March 27th and we will be-able to enjoy lighter evenings, a sign that summer is not far away.

I thought it was time for me to get into the 21st Century and The Cloud Hotel is now on Facebook facebook.com/cloudhotel so look out for news of events and special offers that we will be posting on our page.

Mother's Day Sunday lunch on April 3rd at The Cloud Hotel is fully booked now but you can still bring your Mother out for a special Mothering Sunday Tea, however you do need to book.

I very seldom see television but I was determined to see the three programmes of The English National Ballet 'Agony or Ecstasy' on BBC4. I lived every moment of it as I was trained to be a ballet dancer and have experienced the agony and ecstasy that every dancer feels. Ballet is still one of my passions and although my dancing career took me into the Variety Theatre I am convinced that the training I received has given me the discipline, stamina and drive I have needed in my business life.

The next meeting of The Wessex Women's Network is on Wednesday April 27th when Jake Simpkin is giving a talk on the Monarchy. With the Royal Wedding only two days away it should be very topical as well as interesting.

Please look at my Cloud Hotel Blog to catch up with my other news.

Remember the snail only gets to where he wants to be by sheer perseverance!
Avril

I'm inspirationalised out!

We are up to our eyes in snow today and although the New Forest looks like fairy land it certainly doesn't do my business any good. The phone hasn't stopped ringing with people canceling their bookings. This morning I had to put on my overall and cook breakfast for the guests staying at the hotel as the chef was stranded. I haven't done that for a long time!
On November 17th I attended the 'everywoman'  annual conference and as usual came back to work feeling inspired, motivated and ready to change my business, if not the world! Sam Roddick, the daughter of Body Shop legend Anita Roddick was the keynote speaker. We heard how she overcame several obstacles before discovering her entrepreneurial spirit and starting her business Coco De Mer. She obviously has inherited her Mothers drive and it is her passion, dedication and boundless energy that keeps her motivated to succeed. There were some excellent masterclasses in the afternoon and the conference concluded with a motivational presentation by Penny Mallory. Having run away from home at 14 and scraped through school she went to London to find fame and fortune but ended up living in hostels for a couple of years. She told us how she took control of her life turned it around and is now a television presenter.She was the first woman in the world to compete in a World Rally Car. These women are so inspirational and I think by hearing  their stories and their struggles it encourages other women to reach their full potential and to reach for their dreams. Don't dream it, do it!

Another of my passions is dance, I am a Life Member of The Royal Academy of Dance. On November 19th I was invited to do a presentation at the Pavilion Dance Centre  about the Tiller Girls. It was a Vintage week-end with lessons on the jive, jitterbug and lindy hop! With the help of Karl Jones of KNdesign I managed to create a Power Point presentation on the history of the Tiller Girls. It was lovely to see so many people of all ages attending the Dance Centre, the place was buzzing.

On 23rd November I had the honour of being invited to be the speaker at Pat Wyeth's charity dinner to be held in the Conservative Club New Milton. Pat is the Chairman of the New Forest District Council .I thoroughly enjoyed meeting her and being treated to a delicious meal.

The highlight of my week was attending 'everywoman's' official launch of the Modern Muse book at Adam Street Private Members Club in London. Modern Muse is a major initiative designed to inspire and engage the next generation of female business leaders and entrepreneurs by showcasing successful women of today in all walks of business life.The project is setting out to reach one million young women and girls over the next three years, to inspire and motivate them to look at business careers and entrepreneurship as a way to achieve their dreams. The publication of the book shines a spotlight on 100 inspirational women who are all vibrant, successful entrepreneurs and business women, personifying the 'Modern Muse'. Anyone who is interested in  getting involved with Modern Muse or would like more information about the project go to http://www.modernmuse.co.uk/
great
It was a full house for the Wessex Women's Network Christmas event. Lesley Bradsworth, owner of Charisma in Fawley presented the ladies with a wonderful fashion show of evening wear, day and casual wear. There was something for everyone and I can't wait for the snow to disappear so I can pay Charisma a visit.There was a great atmosphere during the evening and the raffle raised £150-00 for Refuge for women and children, another charity close to my heart.

Finally the big day had come for the finalists of the 'everywoman' business awards. This prestigious event was held at The Dorchester Hotel in London on December 1st and attended by over 200 women. As one of the judges it was a tough job to choose a winner from each category. The standard was very high and all the finalists had achieved success but like everything there can only be one winner. There was so much energy in the room and it was buzzing with excitement as each winner was announced. It was a fantastic day and I was lucky enough to be joined by my eldest daughter Amanda and four of my friends.  A great day was had by everyone.

Remember 'You don't have to be great to get started but you have to get started to be great' Les Brown

Avril

Get off the Express Train!

Do I dare mention that it's only six weeks to Christmas! I'm sure like me you are wondering what happened to this year? Maybe it's because we are all so busy that we don't have time to notice the months racing by. It's rather like being on an Express Train but we should stop and get off the train sometimes and enjoy the beautiful countryside that surrounds us. The Autumn colours in the New Forest were stunning this year and they are only just over their best. The Holly Trees are covered in red berries, does this mean we are in for a cold winter?

I had the pleasure of attending the Women of Our Time Lunch at the Chewton Glen Hotel on October29th. This lunch is held annually and the proceeds go to The Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington. The speaker this year was Clare Balding TV Presenter and Journalist. She is well known for her live racing coverage of the Grand National, Derby, Arc de Triomphe and Royal Ascot, a regular presenter on Radio 4 and has made guest appearances on many TV shows. She had us all entertained with her stories and experiences of life as a broadcaster. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to her and found her very friendly and easy to talk to.

I am a very lucky person as I do get invited to some fabulous events. On November 2nd I made my way to Unilever Head Office in Leatherhead to attend an evening with Chef Marco Pierre White of TV's Hells Kitchen. Once again it was a charity event this time to raise funds for Hospitality Action a charity that helps hospitality people who have fallen on hard times. After a champagne reception in the Foyer we all went into the smart theatre kitchen where the tables had been set for dinner. Before dinner was served two or three people from each table were invited to go up and watch Marco cook a variety of dishes from his new cookery book 'Marco Made Easy'. I found Marco absolutely charming and very appoachable, it makes you realise that what you see on Television is not always the real person. Dinner was delicious and I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening, met some very interesting people and left with a copy of his cookery book. The evening raised £17,000-00!

I am looking forward to the next Wessex Women's event on November 30th. Charisma of Fawley are hosting a Festive Fashion Extravaganza followed by a Christmas Dinner. As we are all so busy during December I thought we'd enjoy a Christmas dinner early! This is proving to be a very popular event and there are very few places left.

Don't forget the Everywoman conference on November 17th. This really is a conference worth attending if you want to grow your business. As well as meeting and listening to some inspirational and like minded women you will also have fun. All details can be found on http://www.everywoman.co.uk/

Finally 'If you think you have had a bad day try missing one'. Cavett Robert. To me every day is the start of a new opportunity.

Avril