Some of the UK’s most inspirational female entrepreneurs and leaders have shared the advice they would give their younger selves ahead of International Women’s Day.
Katy Leeson, Dr Alison Edgar MBE, Jo Salter MBE and Sarah Armstrong-Smith are not only leaders in their respective fields, but also among the UK’s most in-demand motivational speakers. Collectively, their careers span entrepreneurship, psychology, defence, leadership, cyber security and global consultancy.
Here, the four women, who are among the UK’s leading female keynote speakers, share the lessons they wish they had known when starting out.
Co-founder of Blank Space Content Studios, former CEO of Relentless Group, and former UK managing director and operations director of Social Chain.
Katy Leeson played a pivotal role in scaling Social Chain into a household-name agency alongside Dragons’ Den star Steven Bartlett. Reflecting on her journey, she says self-doubt was something she had to learn to manage, not eliminate.
She said: “I’ve always had high standards and a strong internal critic. So I’d make sure my younger self knows that voice will tell you you should be further along by now. It’s wrong. You’re building pattern recognition, taste, and judgement, the stuff that can’t be rushed. Most people never develop that depth at all.”
Katy said her younger self should “stop waiting to feel ‘ready’ or ‘qualified’. That day never comes.”
“You already have more insight than you give yourself credit for,” she added. “The people you admire are often just slightly more willing to speak before they’re 100% certain. Confidence isn’t a prerequisite, it’s a side effect of action.
“Your sensitivity is not a weakness. It’s your edge. You notice nuance. You read rooms. You care deeply about people and outcomes. Early on, that probably felt like overthinking or emotional labour. Later, it becomes leadership, strategy, and intuition. Don’t harden yourself to survive, refine yourself to lead.
“Feeling that you are suffering from imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you’re a fraud, it means you’re growing.
“Every time it shows up, it’s a signal you’re stretching into a new identity. The goal isn’t to eliminate it, it’s to stop letting it drive the car.”
In a similar vein, she told her younger self to “choose environments that expand you, not ones that just validate you.”
“You’ll outgrow people, roles, and versions of yourself faster than you expect. That’s not betrayal or failure, it’s evolution. You’re allowed to move on without burning everything down.
“You don’t have to prove your worth through exhaustion and people pleasing. Working harder than everyone else might get you noticed…but it won’t get you peace.
“Rest, boundaries, and asking for support aren’t indulgences, they’re what allow your best thinking to show up consistently.”
Dr Alison Edgar MBE
Thought leader in behavioural psychology and goal-setting, bestselling dyslexic author of “Smash It!”, British businesswoman and boardroom advisor.
Dr Alison Edgar did not start her business until her mid-40s, a fact she says should reassure women who feel under pressure to have everything figured out early.
She said: “If I could go back and speak to my younger self, I’d tell her to breathe – it really does all work out in the end.
“You don’t need to have your life mapped out at 21, or even 41. I didn’t start my business until I was 46. Before that, I was in a corporate role, but it wasn’t wasting time, I was building everything I would one day need to become one of the most booked women speakers. The world loves to tell women their time is running out – but age does not define you, and it certainly does not limit you either.
“I’d also remind my younger self that confidence isn’t something you find in a little box, it’s something you build. Once you start backing yourself, others come along for the ride. You can’t expect people to believe in the version of you that you’re not even showing to the world.”
Dr Edgar also believes background should never limit ambition.
“If I could speak to my younger self, I’d tell her that where you start does not define your destiny.
“Growing up without privilege and with undiagnosed dyslexia, it was easy to believe that some doors just weren’t for me. But those early challenges became my strength and gave me a unique perspective.
“It’s important to remember that your background is never a barrier – it arms you with grit, resilience, and motivation to carve the life you want and deserve.”
Jo Salter MBE
First British fast jet pilot and director of global transformative leadership at PwC.
Jo Salter MBE, a trailblazer in both aviation and leadership, offered succinct but powerful advice.
She said: “Don’t confuse confidence with certainty. Don’t think you need to have all the answers before you step forward. Pay attention to what feels uncomfortable, as that’s often where the learning is. And, don’t wait for permission to be yourself… it’s usually not coming.”
Sarah Armstrong-Smith
Former Microsoft chief security advisor for EMEA, UK government cyber advisory board member, author of ‘Understand the Cyber Attacker Mindset’, and recognised on the ComputerWeekly longlist of the UK’s most influential tech leaders.
Sarah Armstrong-Smith describes her career as anything but linear, and says progress often comes from backing yourself.
She said: “I often feel like my career has been like a game of ‘snakes and ladders’. Plenty of ups and downs and pivoting in different directions. The biggest leap forward came from taking a chance on myself, often stepping into the unknown, but always moving forward, and never looking back.
“Although your path may not be linear, aim high and enjoy the journey!
“If I could roll the clock back and speak to my younger self, I would tell her to not shy away from pushing yourself forward. You might not see it yet, but good things are on the horizon. It will be challenging, but also exhilarating.
“There are moments that will test you, but keep the faith. Don’t compromise your integrity. It matters more than you think”
All four speakers are available to book via Champions Speakers, who recently produced a poll of Britain’s top ten trending female speakers based on audience feedback and event reviews.
- Sarina Wiegman – manager of the England women’s national football team.
- Baroness Karren Brady – vice-chairman of West Ham United FC.
- Michelle King – former director of inclusion at Netflix.
- Nicola Adams – Olympic gold medalist and the first woman to win a boxing medal.
- Penny Power MBE – entrepreneur and author, founder of social media pioneer Ecademy.
- Bonita Norris – adventurer and the youngest female to scale Mount Everest.
- Maggie Alphonsi – English rugby World Cup winner turned commentator.
- Roz Savage – The first woman to single-handedly row across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
- Arianna Huffington – co-Founder of The Huffington Post and Founder of Thrive.
- Jo Salter MBE – first British fast jet pilot and director of global transformative leadership at PWC.
For more information visit the UK’s leading female keynote speakers agency.
