Who is Brenda

School wasn’t easy for me. I struggled academically and never quite fit in, I was quiet and, always staring out of the window day dreaming.  I felt lost most of the time. Expectations were low, and my enjoyment even lower. Yet, my parents always saw something special in me and for whatever reason I thrived at home.  When I think about I was a late developer.

Mum used to say I should have been a nurse. I remember being just 7 or 8 when my brother had his tonsils out in hospital.  She said I fussed over him like a ward sister, but nursing wasn’t on my radar. I saw it as a typical role expected of black women back then.

In the 80s, I had various admin jobs with no clear career path, but I learned a lot about organisation skills, professionalism and processes. During this period, I met Ray, my future husband. Together, we built a life and welcomed our son when I was 22. It was then I realised my capacity for achieving anything I set my mind to. My drive to provide a better life for my son ignited a determination within me to develop a meaningful career.

Craving variety, purpose, and the chance to meet new people, I finally heeded my mother’s advice and ventured into nursing. I qualified in 1996 and quickly rose through the ranks from staff nurse to manager in less than 5 years, and then to rehabilitation and day services manager where I oversaw 10 services across Bedfordshire. Nursing provided me with a deep understanding of patient care and the importance of empathy, communication, and leadership in a clinical setting.

My thirst for knowledge didn’t stop there. I earned a degree in nursing, enhancing my clinical expertise and theoretical understanding. I became an independent non-medical prescriber, which allowed me to assess patients and prescribe medications independently. This skill was invaluable in providing comprehensive care and streamlining treatment processes.

My educational journey continued with a postgraduate diploma in public administration, equipping me with insights into healthcare policy, management, and the intricacies of public sector operations. I later achieved a CMI level 7 in strategic management and leadership, honing my abilities in organisational strategy, decision-making, and leading teams effectively within my own business. Additionally, I obtained a teaching qualification, enabling me to mentor and educate future professionals.

Ray, a skilled carpenter and joiner, worked tirelessly, even taking on a second job to save for our future. Together, we ventured into property investment, purchasing buy-to-let properties. In 2012, I co-founded Bedfordshire Supported Housing. Our initial plan to lease a beautiful Victorian house fell through when the owner needed to sell due to a divorce. This setback taught me the importance of ownership and having as much control as possible. It made me question why we were leasing from others when we had already started building our property portfolio. Nothing was going to stop me. We decided to use our family home, another 6 bedded Victorian house, to kickstart the business. We moved to a smaller 3-bedroom house, which we refurbished ourselves, transforming it into a cozy haven for our children.

With relentless drive, we turned our previous family home into Francis House, our first care home. We created a luxurious space with ensuite bedrooms, adorned with Laura Ashley wallpaper, Farrow and Ball paint, and high-end furnishings. As I built the business, I had to make tough choices, like opting for a diploma instead of finishing my master’s in public administration. It was the right decision for the time.

Balancing my role as an NHS manager, we recruited a manager for Francis House. As our business grew, I eventually transitioned to working full-time in our venture. Since then, we’ve expanded steadily, opening a new service every year and sometimes two. Our offerings now include homecare services for adults and children, registered care homes, supported accommodation units, and enhanced supported accommodation units, spanning Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, and we are soon to expand in Northamptonshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire and Hertfordshire. Other services coming on stream include Children’s homes and 16 plus supported accommodation.

Nursing became my true calling. I loved connecting with people and found my purpose in helping others. I have a natural ability to empathise and understand what others are going through. It wasn’t always easy; I often faced people enduring the most harrowing experiences. Yet, witnessing their recovery and seeing them move forward with their lives was incredibly rewarding. It taught me how resilient we are as human beings, but we don’t do it alone.  I have never forgotten those who didn’t make it and often reflect on what more we could have done.

My journey to a successful entrepreneur is a testament to resilience, self-belief, and the power of unwavering determination. Every challenge was a stepping stone, and every success, a reminder that we are all capable of achieving anything we set our mind to.   Now I want to share my skills and experience with others to help them achieve their goals.