It’s Her Business; Alicia Sedgwick

Alicia has found her voice through her career in law. Admirably, Alicia has used that voice and gone onto becoming a communication guru in her industry. We all say ‘communication is key’ and Alicia is very much a living proof of that.

Hello Alicia! Tell us a bit about yourself!

I am originally from England. I began my career as a lawyer, specialising in family law, which was the first step to my helping people through very difficult changes in their life.

When I moved to the South of France several years ago I began working on radio, as well as Events, taking care of Talent, and Celebrities. I also created my own internet TV Show, Asking Alicia, to help families deal with issues that impact them and help them through the profound changes that those problems brought to them.

I began teaching at the International University of Monaco, Public Speaking, and Presentation skills, Leadership and Managing People, always focusing on communication, based on my belief that if you can communicate effectively, and with impact, you will be successful in your professional and personal relationships.

This teaching developed further for the International School of Monaco, and communications training for businesses, individuals, associations, and corporations. Especially benefiting people to be brilliant online when communication is so focused in this way in the current climate.

I also acts as MC for Events like TEDxMonteCarlo, and this year I led the International School of Monaco to put on the first ever TEDx Youth Event in Monaco.

Your journey is just incredible! Talk to us some more about your business…

I have been hailed as The Communications Guru by my global followers! I specialise in not only training and coaching all ages, and backgrounds in their communication skills, but also building their confidence, empowering, motivating, and inspiring. For me, the training and coaching is all about helping people navigate their way through all that life throws at them, with the backing and support of Team Alicia, which I create for all my students so they feel cared for, and nurtured.

Where did the idea for your business come from?

It developed out of my desire to help people express themselves, and find their voice to speak up, and tell their story. Having been a lawyer, I knew the importance of being a “voice” for my clients, and I wanted to work in a field without injustice, and give people the ability to talk for themselves in all areas of their lives, and where there had been unjust events for them, too.

What have been your biggest learning experiences since becoming a business owner?

In my first book, “Communicating Through Change,” I share more of myself with my readers, so that in doing so, and telling my story, I explain life, and the change challenges that I have experienced, to help the readers to share their story, and learn together how to communicate our way through change.

The book sets out different challenges that I have faced, through change experiences, such as bereavement, changing relationships, living with a loved one who has dementia, living through a pandemic, and what I have learned, with communication techniques to help my readers cope with the same or similar experiences.

The book tells my readers what I have faced throughout my life, as well as the challenges of being self employed throughout my careers.

If you could give one bit of advice to someone thinking of starting their own business, what would it be?

Be true to yourself. Be authentic. Believe in yourself.

Albert Einstein famously said; “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”

A creator of a business and a leader and manager needs to reflect on whether their communication style helps or hinders the push for change and… adapt.So, sit tight, put your seat belt on and enjoy the ride! It will be challenging, but so rewarding, I promise you!

What has your biggest success/accomplishment/achievement been since starting your business?

Helping people so profoundly to be able to speak with confidence and find their voice. Giving people their self esteem such a boost, and enabling and empowering them to feel fabulous about they way they communicate.

Who inspires you?

Oprah Winfrey said “Your legacy is every life you have touched to be a light to someone.” I knew that I help people considerably through my communications training and coaching to express themselves with confidence, and to do so effectively, and make an impact. I empower them to find their voice. However, I wanted to help even more people, in a deeper way, and thought that in writing my book, (“Communicating Through Change”) of my very personal experience of change, and giving practical techniques for people to use to navigate their way through the same or similar experiences, I could reach out and embrace on a global basis. Oprah inspired me to think in this way.

What book/article/podcast really gave you that OMG moment?

Catcher in the Rye, J.D Salinger, because I read it after my brother died and Holden Caulfield resonated with me. I could understand that I was not alone in my grief.