So, just who is Nadine La Reine?
Let me take a few minutes to introduce myself. I'll try to keep it brief so as to not bore the pants off of you!
I am a forty (something) year old woman which apparently classes me as ‘middle aged’ – a term which I find hideously unflattering. The word evokes images of a very frumpy, very boring old lady who wears very sensible shoes, very dull clothes and sips very small glasses of sherry – but only on very special occasions! This is most definitely not me! I love all things that glitter and sparkle like unicorns, mermaids, fairies and wine. I probably like wine a little too much if the truth be known! Not in a ‘whisky on your cornflakes’ kind of way, but in a ‘it’s 5 pm somewhere’ kind of way. And that’s OK…isn’t it?!
Anyway, I don’t feel middle aged in the slightest and I plan on growing old very disgracefully and embarrassing my children with my outrageous behaviour as often as I possibly can!
Small People.....
Now on to my small people – who aren’t actually that small anymore! One towers over me and the other is well on the way! My children are awesome. Now, I know every mother thinks that, of course, as every mother absolutely should, after all we did bake them until the optimum moment when they were ready to enter the world.
Both of my little cherubs have their own very unique set of special requirements. Both have experienced too much pain and suffering than you would want any child to have to deal with. They both have additional needs to be met that are extremely different from one another. They both show a courage and resilience in coping with what life has dealt them in a way that makes my heart burst with love and pride. They are my whole world.
'I needed to find another way to keep a roof over our heads and food in our bellies'
Self-Employed Journey
Children Come First!
It is because of the level of care my children need from me and the desire to do my absolute best for them that led to me becoming self employed.
A fifteen year career in retail management was not a sustainable option for a lone parent, so I left it behind and starting doing some cleaning for a few friends as often as I could manage.
It turns out that if you give me a bottle of bleach and some dirt, I can work wonders! So, my business quickly grew and I worked as much as I could to support myself and my children.
I began taking on decorating jobs for my customers and I loved the chance to get creative in people’s homes, working my magic and feeling proud of the results.
Unfortunately, lots of time spent in hospital with my youngest and extended periods out of school meant that my successful business had to take a back seat.
'I never thought I'd ever be running my own business. It happened by chance after meeting up with a school friend I hadn't seen in 30 years.'
I feel incredibly fortunate to have discovered a business opportunity that ticked so many boxes for me.
Turning The Corner
I could earn enough money to keep the bailiffs from the door and I could be there for my children when they needed me the most. I had the flexibility that was so important to me and it was kinder on my damaged body than the hard graft that is cleaning day in day out.
I am lucky that my work now involves chatting with people and helping them, both of which I enjoy and also seem to be pretty good at! And let’s be honest, what’s not to love about getting to know people?
Grabbing Life With Both Hands
My new business venture was the catalyst for change. I needed to rebuild myself.
Over the years I have lived through some unpleasant situations. My self worth had been diminished to nothing and my confidence was at all time low.
I am at last beginning to see the glimpses of a life which I have always dreamed of living. A life which on more than one occasion has swung precariously in the breeze; and from which I never thought I would recover.
I love getting to know people. I think people are incredibly interesting.
Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone has an opinion and experiences that should be shared and learnt from. They might not all be pretty, they might not all be agreed with, but everyone should be encouraged to voice their thoughts and be heard, by someone.
There are so many new ways to communicate now that the simple art of having a conversation often gets overlooked and forgotten about.
Myself and my children have had some great experiences which I can attribute entirely to me taking a leap of faith and grabbing the opportunity that I had found.
What's your story?
I would love to hear from you...
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E-mail: connect@nadinelareine.co.uk
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