n this episode of the Meet Your Inspiration Podcast, Rich and Meri sit down with Natalie Kent, a former police detective who made the courageous leap from law enforcement to founding her own calligraphy business. Natalie shares her remarkable journey from studying forensic science at the University of Kent, through her five years serving in Kent Police's graduate scheme, to discovering her passion for the ancient art of handwritten calligraphy.The conversation explores how a chance invitation to a calligraphy workshop in 2020 rekindled Natalie's childhood love of art and ultimately led her to leave her secure career in policing. She discusses the challenges of transitioning from detective work investigating serious crimes to building a creative business focused on bespoke wedding stationery and well-being workshops. Natalie emphasises how her faith provided the courage to take this leap, knowing she would regret not trying more than any potential failure.Throughout the episode, Natalie reflects on the unexpected parallels between police work and entrepreneurship - both requiring resilience, empathy, and the ability to navigate uncertainty. She shares valuable insights about the importance of community support, from the Kent Foundation mentoring program to local business networks, and how collaboration rather than competition drives success in creative industries. The discussion also touches on the enduring value of handcrafted art in our digital age and how calligraphy serves as both a business and a meditative practice.Contact Natalie: - https://www.instagram.com/nk.calligraphy?igsh=MTZkbGxsZXl0cDl6bQ==Contact the Kent Foundation for young entrepreneurs in Kent aged under 40 - https://kentfoundation.org/Key Takeaways:• Taking calculated risks is essential - the regret of not trying outweighs the fear of failure• Practical experience during education provides invaluable real-world skills• Understanding people's backgrounds and circumstances builds empathy and perspective• Community support and mentorship accelerate entrepreneurial learning• Handcrafted art offers unique value in an increasingly digital world• Faith and personal values can guide major life decisions• Creative pursuits benefit mental well-being for both practitioners and participants• Perfectionism can be balanced with accepting the beauty of imperfection• Regular self-reflection helps ensure your life aligns with long-term aspirations• Resilience comes from accepting both successes and setbacks as learning opportunities00:44 - Introduction to Natalie Kent02:23 - From School to Forensic Science07:16 - Joining the Police Force09:04 - Life as a Police Officer12:13 - Adverse Childhood Experiences15:20 - Discovering Calligraphy17:42 - From Police Officer to Entrepreneur20:16 - Starting the Calligraphy Business22:48 - Expanding the Business and Offering Workshops23:34 - Finding Mentors and Support27:40 - Navigating the First Year in Business32:08 - The Value of Handwritten Calligraphy in a Digital World37:23 - The Craft of Calligraphy: A Demonstration42:36 - The Meditative Power of Calligraphy45:29 - Sources of Inspiration and Resilience49:51 - The Role of the Kent Foundation51:21 - The Importance of Faith and Self-Belief53:11 - The Courage to Change Careers56:51 - Finding Your 'Why'58:56 - A Glimpse into Creative Work01:00:58 - Recharging Through Creativity and Nature01:03:14 - Work-Life Balance and 'Mini Holidays'01:04:07 - Conclusion and Final ThoughtsOur sponsors:https://www.hempsteadhouse.co.uk/https://whatsoninkent.com/https://theitrustapp.com/explore-our-services/the-itrust-app/ Special thank you to our editor, film Charlie Smith and our marketing advisor Kristina Daduryan

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