A MILLIONAIRE mum-of-one has told how she went from flying high in her career to finding out she was seven months pregnant and moving into a council flat.
Karen West-Whylie, who has a 24-year-old son named Luke, is the CEO of Barking Enterprise Centres – an enterprise hub which is essentially home to about 125 businesses.
“We provide more than workspace; we offer one-to-one business meetings, training programs for small businesses and startups, and act as a local point for people who want to know what’s going on in the area,” she says, speaking on Veena V’s ‘Mum to Millionaire‘ podcast.
“We do this across London, not just in Barking and Dagenham.”
However, it hasn’t been plain-sailing for Karen, who has had her fair share of struggles along the way – including finding out she was seven months pregnant when she was at the top of her game.
Speaking of getting pregnant, Karen, who isn’t with her son’s dad, recalls: “I was in my mid-20s and at the top of my career, working for Hilton Hotel in London.
“I had international appointments for a couple of years and was about to go to Washington to open a new hotel.
“Then I found out I was very pregnant…almost seven months.”
I was in my mid-20s and at the top of my career, working for Hilton Hotel in London…Then I found out I was very pregnant…almost seven months
Karen West-Whylie
She goes on to explain how she had all day sickness but put it down to her stressful lifestyle.
Speaking of how she felt when she found out she was pregnant, Karen recalls: “My initial feeling was that life had a purpose. I guessed it was a boy, and the scan confirmed it.
“Whatever title I’ve had, being someone’s mum means more to me than any fancy job title.”
Karen says that with her job came her home, so giving up work meant she had to move out of the flat that she was in and ended up back at home with her mum.
However, she points out this was no bad thing as her dad was very ill at the time so it meant she could help look after him through his final stages.
Tragically, Karen’s father passed away when her son Luke was four-months-old, and the pair moved into a tower block on a council estate, where they remained until he was about aged nine.
Karen, who has been with her now-husband for 12 years, recalls: “I have to say probably some of the happiest times I’ve ever spent in my life were in that flat.
“When we were due to move out when Luke was about 8 or 9, he flatly refused to move. He’d still be there if I hadn’t dragged him out!
“It was a time to really evaluate life and where I was going with it.
“I knew I needed to go back to work and I needed to find a career but I also wanted something that fitted around being Luke’s mum, so I went back during my time at home and I trained to be a nursery nurse.”
Karen, who is now CEO of Barking Enterprise Centres, goes on to reveal how she managed to cope with conflicts and challenges when starting her own business as a single mum.
Whether you’re managing a team with one person other than yourself or whether you are just managing yourself, it’s about being authentic, it’s about being true to yourself
Karen West-Whylie
“You should be true to yourself and authentic in your leadership decisions,” she explains.
“Whether you’re managing a team with one person other than yourself or whether you are just managing yourself, it’s about being authentic, it’s about being true to yourself.”
She goes on to say it’s also important to have a “clear vision” on what your goals and strategic objectives are.
Karen adds that she also believes it’s crucial to have a sense of belonging and an opportunity to share your thoughts on where the business should go.
Sharing some further advice, the businesswoman, who has over 30 years of experience in interviewing people, continues: “When you’re interviewing you have to look at somebody who will fit in the culture of your organisation.
“Somebody who is definitely a team player and you can see gelling with the people that you’ve already got around you.
And, for anyone feeling deflated, Karen advises going back to your values and trying to establish why you do what you do.
“Keep pushing forward,” Karen says.
“Many doors will close, but some will open.”
She adds: “It’s also important you have your own mental coach or go-to person who can just pick you up when you’re feeling low and guide you in the right direction.”
