Carly Cannings of The Happy Business School tells us how she left corporate burn-out to set up her own business, how she was inspired by her interest in a positive mindset, and what’s the biggest misconception about living with rheumatoid arthritis.
How do you identify as disabled, and what does it mean to you?
I live with rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune condition which I developed shortly after giving birth to my daughter in 2018.
Tell us a little about your business.
I founded The Happy Business School in January 2022. My mission is to help organisations create people-centric cultures where happy people can thrive at work. I teach individuals the tools and techniques they need to invest in their own happiness at work, and assist leadership teams in creating supportive cultures that allow people to flourish at work. I do this through keynotes, workshops and consultancy.
Why did you start the business? Share your story so far.
I used to be a solicitor and part of the senior leadership team in an insurance company. After my daughter was born in 2018, I developed rheumatoid arthritis. Learning to live with my illness and to navigate the psychological impact of being diagnosed with an incurable condition in my mid-thirties led me to develop an interest in mindset and positive psychology.
When I returned to work after my maternity leave, I realised that was burnt-out and wanted to leave my corporate job and do something different. The part of my job I really enjoyed was working with people and leading a team, so I wanted to do something to help people thrive at work. My interest in mindset and positive psychology led me to develop a fascination with the power of happiness in the workplace, and so The Happy Business School was born.
What do you see as the main challenges facing your business and its continued operation or growth?
Given the current economic climate, I think the biggest challenge for businesses like mine is whether organisations will continue investing in the development of their people by bringing in external consultants and trainers.
Having said that, many organisations I work with are realising that during times like this it’s more important than ever to invest in their people. Many organisations are realising that it takes more than a good salary and a few nice perks to attract and retain the best people – and that’s where someone like me can help!
What can we do to encourage more disabled entrepreneurs to start businesses – what is holding them back and what can we all do to help change that?
That’s a huge question, and I certainly don’t feel I can speak on behalf of other entrepreneurs with disabilities.
From a personal perspective, lots of the challenges I have faced are the same challenges lots of entrepreneurs, with or without a disability, might face, such as getting funding, finding the right support and training to skill up, getting the word out there about my business etc.
What do you consider your greatest achievement or the proudest moment in your life so far?
In my personal life, I’d like to think my daughter Jessica (who is five) is my biggest achievement.
Professionally, last year was pretty epic for The Happy Business School: I got some great coverage in the press, was interviewed on local radio and on the local evening news, was named one of the top 100 businesses by Small Business Saturday, and also got invited to a business reception at 10 Downing Street by the Chancellor. I’m not quite sure how I’m going to top that in 2024 but I’m going to give it a good go!
If there was one thing you could change about peoples’ perception of disability what would it be and why?
I think the one thing I would change would be to broaden peoples’ perception of what being disabled means. People would look at me most days and not even realise that I live with a chronic health condition.
People often assume that because I live with rheumatoid arthritis, my main problems are joint pain and mobility issues. The reality is, I do have flare ups when this is the case, but day to day my main challenge is fatigue and some of the side effects of the medication I take.
Disabilities take so many forms and affect people in so many different ways, and I think the more we can understand and appreciate this the kinder and more inclusive we can be.
Who or what inspires you?
I am hugely inspired by other entrepreneurs. I love learning what prompted people to launch their businesses, what they did before and what their aspirations for the future are. I’ve been bowled over by the support and sense of camaraderie amongst the small business community. I’m part of an amazing networking group called Freelance Mum which is filled with the most incredible women who all champion each other – they all inspire me to keep going and try to make my business the best it can be!
Do you have a recommendation for a book or a podcast which has helped you along your journey?
The book that inspired me to launch my business is The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor. It’s all about the power of happiness in the workplace, but the reason I love it is because everything he says is based on principles from neuroscience and psychology, so you understand the ‘why’ as well as the ‘how’. He is also very funny!
