Jeremy
Jeremy tells us that, “I’m based in beautiful Dorset on the Jurassic Coast in south west of England where I live with my family. I have a wife, three children, a Jack Russel 🐶, cat and Bantam chickens.
I have been running my own food and drink consultancy Green Shoots International helping small and medium sized businesses sell their goods into export markets. I have worked for blue chip fmcg Weetabix, Twinings, Dorset Cereals, Penotti, Amy’s and Welsh Government’s Export Cluster in my 30 year career, the majority in exports. In the last couple of years I have added training, mentoring and coaching to transition the focus of my business to develop and support people, lift them so they can truly shine their way.
I set up MindMe Coaching last year to help people find balance, their purpose and fulfilment. I have had my own struggles finding this which impacted my mental health including burn out through the transition from a single man starting his career, to middle management and marriage and senior management with children.”
Your journey in technology and digital transformation is quite inspiring. Can you share what initially drew you to focus on AI, blockchain, and fintech, and how you see these technologies shaping the future of our cities and societies globally?
I grew up as an army child to a German mother and English father moving every 2-3 years. I went to 11 different schools. Whilst I did not have the roots many have living in one place, I did learn independence, learn how to connect and establish new friends quickly as well as understand different cultures. I enjoyed sport and being outdoors. Being accomplished and competitive in team sports like football ⚽️ helped me a lot to do this. As I went into further education, using and applying these skills and personal qualities was integral to why I chose to do a European Business degree at Nottingham Trent Business School. The people that inspired me were football players like Manfred Kaltz and Pele, leaders like Nelson Mandela, actors like Clint Eastwood and Robin Williams, bands like U2, Simple Minds and The The.
You’ve collaborated with various high-profile organizations, including the UN and UNESCO. Can you share some of the most impactful projects you’ve been involved in and how they have contributed to advancing technology and societal well-being?
Green Shoots and MindMe are there to pass on my experience, learnings and wisdoms to help others to navigate life with more awareness and hopefully see some of the potholes I fell into earlier than I managed. Live their lives smiling and learning every day!
Being a serial entrepreneur, what kind of response have you received from your users/consumers?
I am very down to earth, real, love connecting with people and openly sharing my knowledge and experience with the aim to help them achieve or overcome challenges and meet their aspirations. Many understand my passion for people and my experience in export and business, appreciate my ability to quickly connect, my innate intuition to understand what they are really looking for when they are sometimes not sure themselves and how I can help them meet their challenges and lift them in doing so.
In what ways has your life changed since you began your entrepreneurial journey?
I am more alive than ever, in my element and love helping people.
Do you have anyone who is the biggest support system in your life? Please let us know.
I am a very autonomous and independent person. I have learnt to gain inspiration from many people around me over time including friends I have made in business overseas. I still connect with them often to remind me of my learning and inspirations from them. I am part of an elite mentor network. I also have my own virtual guide and board who I use as a sounding board often. These are people both living and dead who inspired me. One of the major ones is Nelson Mandela.
What key insights do you aim to impart to the next generation of leaders in smart cities and digital economies?
Trust yourself, believe it is possible and go for it! Look for inspiration and those who can support you to be the best you can be who have relevant experience to help you. Be your authentic self not someone else. Balance work, rest and play so you are as energised as you can be every day. You learn from challenges, most from the toughest moments and you will always re-surface and find a way. Smile and appreciate every day, everyone you see and touch the world so you sparkle and smile often.
Do you think ‘GENDER’ affects entrepreneurship? Your views?
We all have masculine and feminine energy. The masculine tends to be more warrior. Feminine brings much more rounded and holistic power. I love the fact we are seeing much more successful and capable women business, sport and politics. We need more of that to create a fairer, equal and loving world!
Share your Website and Social Media Handles.
https://greenshootsinternational.co.uk/ https://mindmecoaching.co.uk/ http://linkedin.com/in/jeremy-stoker-4b624640 Facebook: @mindmecoaching.co.uk Instagram: @mind.mecoaching @greenshootsinternational