I recently posted a blog entitled Mental Health & Entrepreneurship. This blog is a follow up after a meeting I had with a courageous and talented lady called Jo Belfield who agreed to talk to me about how she has successfully set up her own photography business despite suffering from depression for some years and in particular since the birth of her second son in 2006. Jo trained as a solicitor and only picked up a camera 18 months ago and this week opened her studio close to her her home in Macclesfield.

Many people would argue that it would be particularly difficult for someone with these problems to even consider setting up in business. However many people also hold strong to a belief that work must be hard, it must be a struggle. But there were several things that Jo said that made me realize we make up a lot of myths about what work and, in particular, self employment, is all about:-

• Taking photographs makes Jo happy. She has chosen a career which she is passionate about. I know, too, how much easier that is and less stressful than one where you are not in your flow.
• It gives her greater flexibility with her family. With two young sons Jo is not torn between work and family
• She has a team and so does not have to do everything herself. She has the insight to know when she has to put looking after herself higher up her agenda and can leave work knowing that there is someone else there.

I think Jo’s story challenges our views about what mental illness is. The sad thing is only about 25% of people with enduring mental health problems get back into work. People with other long term conditions do; for example asthma, diabetes, cancer so why not people with depression and other mental illness? Jo has learnt to manage her illness and is achieving her dream. And, arguably, without the illness may never have discovered her passion and talent for photography.

And I think this is where I want to plug coaching. If someone has a dream like starting their own business but thinks that their illness whether it be, in the case of women, postnatal depression or breast cancer, working with a coach can help them fulfil that dream.

Jo’s website is www.jobelfield.com. Have a look at it!