Hi, I’m Veronica and I am living my dream. My life’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Born to elderly parents, I faced unique challenges from day one. My mom was 42, my dad 58, and I was born with a 70% hearing impairment. When I was just shy of my 7th birthday, my dad went to bed and never woke up. From that moment, my mum became a single parent, and we lived in a council house on a council estate in Worthing.
Discovering the Isle of Wight
A few months before my dad passed away, we took a family trip to the Isle of Wight. Little did I know that this visit would shape my future. Years later, I returned to the Isle of Wight with a youth group called the Friday Club, and we stayed at Winchester House, a hostel overlooking Sandown Bay. It became a special place for me and my dad to reconnect.
A Life-Altering Diagnosis
At the age of 12, I suffered a knee injury that triggered rheumatoid arthritis, which has progressively worsened over the years. By 17, I was eager to learn to drive for independence. However, managing a manual car proved overwhelming. That changed when someone suggested I try driving an automatic, opening up a world of possibilities.
A Twist of Fate: Retinitis Pigmentosa
But life had more challenges in store. When I sought glasses to improve my night vision, an optician diagnosed me with retinitis pigmentosa, a condition that would eventually lead to the loss of my driving license. In the UK, receiving such a diagnosis meant an immediate suspension of my driving privileges. It was a heartbreaking blow, but I wasn’t ready to give up on my dreams.
Dreams Deferred but Not Forgotten
Throughout my journey, I had always dreamed of owning an Escort XR3i, my dream car. So, when my driving license was taken away, my husband and I decided to reward ourselves with that dream car, creating a special connection to the Isle of Wight.
Pivoting to an Online Business – the start of me living my dream
With my dreams of driving crushed, I had to rethink my life at 26. Instead of staying home moping, I decided to move my social life online. This shift eventually led me to qualify as a bookkeeper and set up my own self-employed bookkeeping and payroll bureau.
The Ups and Downs of Life
Life had its ups and downs. In 2007, my marriage ended, and by 2009, I found myself declaring bankruptcy in front of a judge. But I was determined to find a way to create a better life for myself.
From a Dream to a Business
An email from Nigel Butler changed everything. He offered a social media management training program, and I realised I had the skills to excel in this field. That email marked the beginning of the business I run today, helping introverts build their online businesses and create programs or services they love.
Living My Dream
Today, I am living my dream life on the Isle of Wight, running my online business while enjoying the flexibility of working from wherever I choose. I help clients build their online presence, nurture their audience, and create businesses they love.
Conclusion
My journey from adversity to triumph has taught me that with determination and the right mindset, you can overcome any obstacle. If you’re a UK-based online business owner facing challenges, know that success is possible. I am here living my dream. Embrace the power of entrepreneurship and build the life you desire, just as I did.
So, what’s your entrepreneurial dream? I look forward to connecting with you and hearing your stories.
Want to connect with me? Find me on facebook here
Veronica Pullen
Latest posts by Veronica Pullen (see all)
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