It really is good to talk

The White Company founder Chrissie Rucker explains how mentors helped shape her success – and how a fresh initiative seeks to do the same for young people

I can remember three conversations that have genuinely changed the course of my life. The first was with my mother when I was fifteen years old, when I asked to leave school. Another was with my sister-in-law about how frustrated I was that I couldn’t find the perfect white linen. And the third was with my husband, Nick, who told me I should set up my own business and, most importantly, that he believed whole-heartedly I was capable of doing so.

When I look back, I have been lucky to have had many surprisingly profound conversations with many inspiring people. Some I knew well, others only for a short time. But I sometimes wonder what my life might have looked like if I hadn’t had my big three conversations or, indeed, any of the smaller pieces of advice and encouragement along the way.

None of these people would ever have called themselves a mentor, but truth be told, that is exactly what they were. They showed me a world beyond what I was doing in that moment and never stopped reminding me of what is possible if you have the confidence to take a sometimes terrifying leap.

A recent report published by The Prince’s Trust found that 45% of young women in the UK don’t believe in themselves, a significantly higher figure than the 34% of young men who say the same. That strikes me as a devastating loss of potential and a huge amount of untapped talent.

I believe passionately that if young people, and particularly young women, have a role model, someone to talk to who can listen and encourage them, we can bring this percentage right down. And not only that, but that we can see the potential of these young women realised, benefitting not only themselves and their families, but society as a whole.

Working in partnership with The Prince’s Trust, I have had the honour of establishing Women Supporting Women, an initiative that aims to nurture, empower and inspire young women to build their own futures through employment, entrepreneurialism, education or training. It’s a community of passionate entrepreneurs and philanthropists investing in the work of The Trust. We all believe that young women deserve to succeed, regardless of their circumstances.

I have met many inspiring young women who credit their mentor and The Trust’s programmes with changing their lives. Take Jazmin for example. She struggled with caring responsibilities and was bullied relentlessly at school, eventually being diagnosed with depression. With the help of The Prince’s Trust, however, she developed Plus Equals, a fashion-brand which redefines what it means to be fashionable and plus size.

“The Prince’s Trust helped me see the bigger picture and make a business out of my passion,” she says. “With the support of my amazing mentor, Mary, who believed in me, I have reached a much better place in my life.”

Conversations, mentoring and role models are powerful things. They are an investment in someone’s future. By continuing to talk and build meaningful, trusting relationships, conversations can become catalysts, as they have been for me, to change people’s lives.

Chrissie Rucker Founded The White Company in 1994 and is The Founding Patron for The Change A Girls Life Campaign for Women Supporting Women At The Princes Trust