CanvasRebel is a magazine which interviews inspiring entrepreneurs and creatives so that they can share their stories and insights. I was fortunate enough to be approached and here is the result, enjoy!

Meet Leanora Babb-Benjamin

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Leanora Babb-Benjamin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Leanora, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Yes, but I believe that what I am doing now, I was destined to do! Although my previous roles which were regular jobs had some elements which were fulfilling, qualifying and working as a Clinical Hypnotherapist provides me with a deep sense of satisfaction and overall feeling of a job well done when seeing the changes in clients. Whenever clients engage with the process, they commit to change and I know that they have entrusted me with their vulnerability to help them become a better version of themselves, this makes my work very rewarding to me as well as humbling.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I currently live in Beckenham, Kent but I was born in London, the 3rd child of 4, from parents born and brought up in Carriacou, which is part of the Grenadines. I left school with no real idea of what I wanted to do, just knowing that I had a love of travelling. I started work as a secretary and it was during this time that my boss saw some potential in me and allowed me to do further education during the day at college to complete A Levels as he thought that I was destined for better things. I got the grades and went to South Bank Polytechnic, as it was then, to study for a law degree. During my time there I went on a student law exchange to New York and wrote about my experiences. On the back of that I won a prize to work in the Lord Chancellor’s office at the High Court. I then did my legal training at BT plc and qualified as a Solicitor. I did this for a few years until the children camealong and then stopped to look after them. I did return to the law, even having my own practice at one point, but stopped completely after my 5th child was born as by then it was becoming so expensive to practice as a sole practitioner. When the youngest started school, I thought of and/or started a variety of businesses and even qualified as a Massage Therapist and did some project management work. During COVID I was put on furlough by my then employers and I started volunteering for a charity that delivered food to people and started teaching English to Syrian refugees, both of which I still volunteer for today. I wanted to do something more holistic when helping people and hypnotherapy seemed the obvious choice, and I was right as I truly believe that I have found my calling in helping people to overcome limited negative belief systems to lead a positive, happier and fulfilling lifegoing forward.

I offer services relating to stress and anxiety reduction, pain and weight management, smoking cessation, fears and phobias relief, depression and low self esteem. The common issues clients come to see me about are about stress/anxiety, low confidence/self esteem and not sleeping well. I believe that what sets me apart from others are my lived life experiences which I can share and empathise with clients as well as the strong therapeutic alliance that I have with clients which helps build trust and rapport. I am most proud of taking the chance to follow my dream and passion in helping others by becoming a Clinical Hypnotherapist and what I would like people to know is that I am here to help if they need it and to never suffer in silence!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Prior to becoming a Clinical Hypnotherapist I was in an industry which I did not enjoy working in and which did not suit my talents. Nevertheless, I had to do some of the required industry exams and I failed, retook them, failed and then failed again. This happened about 7 times and each time I failed I felt that I had failed as a person and my confidence and self esteem took a tumble. I then had a little hypnotherapy session prior to taking the exam yet again to see if that would make a difference. It did, as I passed! Even though I went through some dark moments, I stuck it out and passed the exams eventually which in my mind showed tenacity, resilience and character!

Have you ever had to pivot?

My greatest career change has been to qualify and practice as a Clinical Hypnotherapist as this brings out my people management skills, my empathetic nature and my desire to help people holisitically. I have a varied background and can add that to anything new. I used to think of this as a disadvantage but I see that now as a distinct advantage as a life well lived and varied can bring different perspectives to any situation.

As a result of pivoting to this new career, it has definetly changed my outlook, perspective and mindset for the better. Knowing how the mind works and how it controls every aspect of our lives and using hypnotherapy to help people with negative mindsets and thought patterns is amazing. Seeing people who have spent years having negative beliefs change into someone who is rested, relaxed with a positive outlook and mindset, is awesome!

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