My Journey

I’m Louise Watkinson, the heart and soul behind Empower Her Journey. From the start of my career, I’ve been fueled by a deep desire to leave my mark and uplift others. I've soaked up every opportunity to learn and grow, constantly inspired by the incredible women around me. But as I journeyed through those early days, I couldn’t ignore the glaring gap in mentorship and support for women. That’s why I founded Empower Her Journey—to create a vibrant space where everyone can flourish and thrive.

Early Days

From the earliest moments of my life, I was surrounded by a beacon of strength and inspiration in the form of my mother, Sergeant Helen Watkinson. Her unwavering dedication to her career in the police force, coupled with her kindness and respect for others, laid the foundation for my own aspirations. While I may not have followed in her footsteps professionally, her ethos of hard work and integrity became the cornerstone of my journey.

Nurturing the Entrepreneurial Spark

My path to becoming a businesswoman began with humble roots, as I seized every opportunity to explore the world of entrepreneurship. From orchestrating my sister’s Avon round to taking charge as the imaginary "MD" of our school project, the spark of ambition ignited within me at a young age.

Embracing the Unknown

Navigating through the maze of career choices, I embraced the invaluable lessons gained through experience, rather than confining myself to a predetermined path. From serving as a PA for a remarkable businesswoman to being recognized as a finalist for Young Business Person of the Year, each milestone propelled me forward, fueling my desire to achieve more.

At an early stage in my career, I learned that the team around you is crucial to your success, and surrounding yourself with good people who want to learn and grow is essential.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Yet, it was during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic that I truly came face-to-face with the essence of resilience. Forced to reassess my career trajectory after insolvency, I embarked on diverse roles in care work and law, each experience adding depth to my journey. Personally, this was the most difficult time in my life. I was 22, I had a house, it was during a global pandemic, my 8-year relationship ended, and it felt like everything I had came crashing down on me. A lot of sleepless nights, plenty of tears, while I focused on who and what I wanted to be. In hindsight, I was given a clean slate and a new focus that nothing is “safe” and you really do just have to go after what you want.

Tech and Transformation

“Don’t work with Arseholes. Don’t work for Arseholes”

But it was fate that led me to the threshold of the tech world—an opportunity tailor-made to unleash my potential. Embracing the ethos of innovation and flexibility, I found my true calling, working alongside an amazing team that really celebrated new ideas.

In the midst of my own journey, I found purpose in empowering others—particularly women—to seize their own destinies. From engaging in Women in Engineering events to being recognized as one of the Top 30 Under 30, my commitment to fostering growth and inclusivity remains unwavering. Being exposed to a male-dominated industry of tech, it was eye-opening to see firsthand the work that still needs to be done to empower women into these roles. Starting from school and encouraging more young women to look at careers in areas that are pushed towards males.

Empowering Others, Together

Today, I stand proud to be part of a community that celebrates ambition, courage, and collective success. As I embark on this next chapter, working alongside inspiring Managers and Leaders leveraging my platform to uplift others.

A Shared Sanctuary of Success

I have been fortunate in my own career to be surrounded by fantastic and inspiring businesswomen who I believe really have made such a lasting impact on my journey. These are the businesswomen who have weathered the storms and triumphed, but from the small handful of women, the pool is still very small, and I believe there is so much room for growth in offering women everywhere knowledge, experience, and resources. There is strength of shared wisdom. I’m Committed to helping others like you embark on their own journey to success. My website provides a wealth of curated knowledge, firsthand experiences, and valuable resources to support your growth.

So take a moment to explore - check out the blogs, look at courses, resources, and upcoming events. Welcome to a space where thriving is not just a goal—it's a shared reality.