In a world where women are constantly juggling careers, businesses, and personal ambitions, finding a space for genuine connection and growth can be a challenge. That’s where Empower Hour comes in. This monthly virtual event is designed to bring women together to share insights, support one another, and gain the tools they need to succeed—whether in their careers, businesses, or personal lives.

At the heart of this movement is Julia Darlington, a leader, mentor, and advocate for women’s success. In this interview, we dive into her vision for Empower Hour, why community-driven growth is so powerful, and how women can take control of their ambitions and turn them into reality.

Can you tell us a little bit more about you, your experience and how you came to lead this session?

I started supporting the AllBright members over four years ago when I became the Community Ambassador for the online Female Founders community. Since then, I’ve been hosting the fortnightly business breakfast, providing Business and Coaching support.

Very briefly, my background is that I have spent 30+ years of my career in the fashion and lifestyle industries leading the successful growth of numerous international brands as Buying and Brand Director and Senior Executive.

As I climbed the corporate ladder, I became more and more aware that despite the fact that the fashion and lifestyle industries are dominated by women this wasn't reflected at the top of organisations. I experienced personally many occasions where I was the only woman sitting at the boardroom table.

Whilst living and working in Australia I decided to enrol at the coaching institute in Melbourne and became a qualified coach and behavioural consultant. On returning to the UK in 2016 I founded my own consulting and coaching business as I wanted to have a positive impact on as many brands and individuals as I possibly could and redress the imbalance that exists between Male and Female Leadership.

Fundamentally I HELP WOMEN PLAY BIGGER by providing first-hand experience of how to become a powerful female leader. I help unapologetically ambitious women to rise to the top. To overcome their self-doubts and fearlessly step into their full power. To be seen, heard and achieve the financial success, professional recognition and personal fulfilment they desire.

I partner closely with my clients in a coaching and advisory capacity, enabling them to avoid the pitfalls and mistakes that I made and expedite their success. I provide two things simplistically

- Pragmatic strategic practical knowledge and advice as to how to successfully rise up the ladder and become powerful leaders both of themselves and of others.

- Transformational Coaching to build self-confidence and develop a powerful Mindset for Success

I work on a 121 basis both privately and for organisations as well as provide Leadership Training

What is the Empower Hour and what do you hope women will get from it?

What is empowerment?

A couple of definitions of empowerment are

‘To give one the means to achieve something’

‘The authority or power given to someone to achieve something’

The Empower Hour is a monthly session where women can come together to share and learn from one another so that they can achieve the success they desire, whether in their careers, their own business or in their life itself.

Each month I will introduce a topic or subject that I believe is relevant for all ambitious women. I will share my thoughts and experiences and will open a conversation with everybody in attendance. I do not talk at everyone for an hour. The session is interactive, fun and is about supporting and learning from each other.

My intention and hope is that the women who regularly attend will form powerful relationships with each other which will help them achieve whatever it is that they wish to achieve. They will learn new things and leave with powerful tools that will support them on their journeys to the top.

How important is community and connection when it comes to professional growth?

There is an African proverb that states

‘If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far, go together.’

Helen Keller also stated

‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.’

I have learned in my career which has spanned nearly 40 years that there is huge truth in those statements and the expression

Your net worth is a reflection of your network is so very true. We all know that that still exists huge inequalities for women in this world and if we are to redress these and influence positive change we need to come together as a powerful force. Women need to lift each other up. By building powerful and supportive communities and connecting with women around the world we have the ability 2 make huge positive changes and positively impact not only our own lives but also for those of others.

Additionally, it is fact most opportunities that come up in business come from word of mouth and recommendation. The vast majority of new roles I never advertised. So, for you to maximise your potential opportunities in your careers and in your businesses building strong and powerful connections and networks is essential.

If someone has never attended Empower Hour before, what can they expect from the experience?

- Fantastic conversation

- Inspirational discussions

- New learnings

- Lasting friendships and connections

- Energising fun and laughter

Confidence can be a game-changer in business and leadership. What’s one simple way women can start building their confidence today?

Confidence isn't built overnight. There are many steps that can be taken to build your inner confidence, self-belief and self-esteem. I run a monthly confidence accelerator power hour that takes all the attendees on the journey sharing powerful tools learnings and steps that can be taken to accelerate one's confidence.

A powerful reminder is a model called

The confidence competence loop

When you do something for the first time, you are not yet competent in whatever that thing is. Your level of confidence is therefore very low. When you complete the task or activity for the first time successfully, your level of confidence grows slightly.

With a little bit more confidence you then repeat the task or activity and consequently feel a little bit more confident.

Repetition is the key here. The more frequently you repeat the action, the more competent you become at that action and consequently the more confident you become.

Think of an example for yourself when you did something for the first time and remember how you felt. A great example for me is when I first started to learn to drive. I felt completely out of my depth and extremely nervous. However, as I had more and more driving lessons and practised every week, I became less nervous and my confidence built. Fast forward to now and I don't have to think about how to drive at all, I do it automatically and with very high levels of confidence.

What’s a common mindset block you see in ambitious women, and how can they overcome it?

All human beings possess certain fears which stem from our survival instincts from when we are first born. One of these fears that I see so frequently in ambitious women is the fear of failing. This fear can really hold us back and in extreme cases can stop us from even trying to take actions to achieve our desires.

How to overcome it?

Remind yourself that

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FAILURE, THERE’S ONLY LEARNING

Whenever we don't achieve whatever it is that we set out to achieve, we learn. Learn how we can change our actions and our thinking to move us forward and closer to our goals.

For women juggling careers, businesses, and personal lives, what’s your best advice for staying motivated and avoiding burnout?

Motivation-be clear on your WHY. What is your reason for doing what you do? Why is it important to you and why does it matter. When things get really challenging remind yourself why you’re doing it. If your why isn’t big enough, it will be challenging to maintain your motivation.

Avoiding Burnout-Love & respect yourself. Your health and wellbeing are THE most important things you need to protect. Without these you won’t achieve your true potential.

Additionally know your boundaries and non-negotiables at work and stick to them.

Could we also have a sneak peek into this month’s theme?

Confident Leadership!

If you want to join Empower Hour with Julia, sign up here