I wanted to share a story with you that is not only a difficult one to open up about, but I believe a necessary one. Some of you may or may not know this, but I was once a refugee. Whilst I now speak English, hold a British passport and have lived in the UK for over 20 years, in my heart of hearts I will always be that 5 year old little refugee girl immigrating in a small boat & lorry from Albania. It was 2000 and in an attempt to provide a better future for us and to escape the poverty and corruption in our home country, my mum and dad put me and my sibling in a small motor boat to flee the country and illegally cross the Albanian border. The boat nearly tipped over. I lost my toys, baby pictures and any real memories my mum collected over the years. Once on land we crossed the mountains, found ourselves in a lorry and on our way to a fresh start in the UK. This of course came with its own set of challenges. My mum and dad did everything for me, they worked 3 jobs, got us into school, made sure we had food on the table, they truly did the best they could. I often get asked a lot... what it’s like running two companies and how I have the energy to do it all. In all honesty, it’s not even energy at this point... It’s pure grit, resilience and absolutely no option to go back. I didn’t come from money, on the contrary we had absolutely NO money. I didn’t go to private school. I failed my exams, it took me 5 attempts to even pass maths! I’m dyslexic AF and have Complex Trauma. In my head I just know I have to do it for the little Albanian girl and her parents, I know I need to set an example for all refugee people contemplating their new beginnings. I also know that I didn’t make it this far to just stop half way! and that my purpose in life is to truly help as many people as possible in the best way I can. No place has ever truly felt like home except you, my community. That said, I just want to say thank you for constantly making me feel welcomed, safe and heads to just share my story with you. First picture is one taken this week at the ONER Active team photo day, the second pic is my immigrant picture for my residency in the UK. 🖤