Gillian Hughes is the CEO and Founder of Chatty Flamingo, a heart-led business supporting personal development, spiritual growth, and holistic wellbeing. As a Holistic Transformation Coach and Intuitive Therapist, she guides women to reconnect with their true selves and create lasting, positive change. Drawing on a rich blend of coaching, energy healing, sound therapy, and intuitive practices—including Forensic Healing, EFT, and inner child healing—she offers soul-led support that nurtures mind, body, and spirit.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
I remember my childhood as both happy and sad. I was a shy little girl who adored anything soft and cuddly—puppies, kittens, teddies. We’d create plays with friends and perform them for our parents, go camping, spend days on the beach, and attend church. Life was structured and sometimes strict, but it was also filled with love and fun, even if not always in equal measure.
Parts of my family felt quite formal—“children should be seen and not heard” was definitely a phrase that floated around—while in other spaces, I was free to simply be myself. I quickly learned how to ‘read the room’ and adapt.
My mum was my biggest cheerleader. She made me feel special, often holding me close with a song before taking me to hospital appointments—I was born a cleft baby, so those were frequent. She gave me courage and passed on the saying, “sticks and stones may break your bones, but names can never hurt you.” When I lost her at 13, it was as if the rug had been pulled from under me. That loss shaped so much of who I am, and it planted the early seeds for the work I do today—supporting others through their own healing and transformation.
As I moved into adulthood, I became something of a self-development junkie. I learned to be independent and took responsibility for myself early on. I was drawn to tarot and astrology, buying my first deck of cards at 18. I think I was searching for something—a missing piece, a sense of home within myself. For a long time, I thought that emptiness was solely about losing my mum, but I’ve come to realise it’s about finding peace and contentment in who you truly are.
There were times when I felt incredibly alone. My confidence was low, and I was weighed down by self-doubt and a sense of not being enough. Still, something inside me knew there had to be more. I needed to heal, to process everything life had thrown my way—and so, my inner work began.
I made mistakes, took a few wrong turns, and eventually found myself in the corporate world, working in marketing and communications. I learned a great deal—after all, every day is a chance to learn. My childhood skill of reading a room served me well in that environment, too.
But deep down, I always sensed I was meant for something different. Something deeper. So, at the age of 48, I enrolled on a Life Purpose course and made a complete pivot. It was the best decision I’ve ever made!
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business/initiative? What motivated you within to say “YES, go for it!”
As I moved through my own healing journey, something incredible began to happen—my confidence grew, my self-worth deepened, and the self-doubt that had once held me back began to dissolve. I’d always believed in myself at some level, but now I truly felt it. And I realised—if I could reach this point, others could too. And I could help them get there.
I came to realise that everyone has a story. Everyone has experiences that have impacted them for good and bad.
That was my spark. I began investing in courses, qualifications, and books—anything that supported self-healing, personal development, and spiritual growth. I started small, working quietly within my comfort zone. But over time, I found my voice, my confidence, and my calling.
Now, I support women (and sometimes men) to fast-track their growth, release emotional baggage, reframe limiting beliefs, and truly step into their power. I help people increase their self-worth, rediscover self-love, and create lives filled with confidence, purpose, and joy. And honestly? I absolutely love it. I’m changing lives—and that gets me leaping out of bed in the morning.
It turns out… I’m pretty darn good at it too. Happy sigh.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
Absolutely! I’d love to see a shift in leadership—especially among women—that embraces strength without sacrificing softness. We need more leadership rooted in empathy, compassion, and authenticity, rather than the aggressive, overly assertive masculine energy that still dominates many corporate spaces, regardless of gender.
I want young women to know that they don’t have to mould themselves to fit that outdated model. You can lead with heart. You can be passionate, driven, and confident, while staying grounded in your feminine energy. True leadership uplifts others, fosters collaboration, and creates joy—and that’s the change I’d love to see more of in the world.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
True women’s leadership is strong, determined, and deeply inspiring—but it doesn’t have to mirror traditional models of success. I’d love to see more women rising by showing a different way: leading with authenticity, compassion, and inner strength, without fear or judgement.
A woman who has done the inner work, who is at peace with herself and connected to her feminine power, is one of the most powerful leaders there can be. She leads not from ego, but with purpose—setting healthy boundaries, building trust, and creating a culture of autonomy, collaboration, and success.
Healing your inner child or releasing limiting beliefs doesn’t have to feel heavy. When we start working with energy, gratitude, and manifestation, we create powerful shifts—we can literally let go of what’s been keeping us stuck and begin attracting abundance and prosperity. You are the sum of your life experiences—some of those experiences help you grow, and others keep you small. The key is learning to release the ones that no longer serve you, so you can step into your full, vibrant potential and flourish in the life you were always meant to live.
When a woman fully embraces who she is, unapologetically and without fear, without having to ‘prove herself’ she becomes a force for real, lasting change. She creates space not just for herself, but for others to rise too—and that’s where the magic happens.
What’s the most important thing you have learned in your personal life and professional journey? What is your personal motto in life?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to simply be yourself. Life isn’t meant to be perfect—it’s meant to be lived. Let it be messy. Laugh often. Learn from your mistakes. And never forget the dreams and wonder you held as a child—there’s magic all around us, if we choose to see it.
I’ve learned to focus on the positive to attract more of it, and to let go of what no longer serves me. You’re always exactly where you’re meant to be, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
And my personal motto? Life is for living—go play!
With your grit and determination, you are making a considerable impact, breaking through, and serving as role models for many budding entrepreneurs. What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
You can do anything you set your mind to. If you’re feeling stuck or energetically blocked, don’t ignore it—seek support. Work with a therapist or, better yet, book in with me and start transforming your life from the inside out.
Let go of the fear and step fully into your power—you are far more powerful than you realise. Set your intention with a good heart, believe in your ability, and let the magic unfold.
Will there be challenges? Of course. But can you overcome them? Absolutely. Don’t be too proud to ask for help—it’s not a weakness, it’s a strength.
And remember, lasting change doesn’t come from giant leaps—it comes from one small, brave step at a time. Just begin. You can do it.
