‘The challenges along the way have simply made me stronger’

Charmaine Vincent is the owner and CEO of the ‘big-hearted’ recruitment business, Baltimore Consulting.

Baltimore Consulting works within areas such as SEN, mental health and safeguarding vulnerable adults and children throughout the public sector.

Community involvement plays a vital part of the company’s business model as it makes a difference to local people’s lives through giving back and supporting those who need it.

Baltimore Consulting’s recent work within the local community includes its Wick Primary School partnership in supporting the school across a range of initiatives.

Vincent has 24 years professional experience and is passionate about making a difference and being a positive role model for her daughter.

Can you describe the career journey that has led you to where you are today?

With 24 years’ worth of sales and recruitment experience, I left school at 16-years-old and worked my way up the ladder without the support of university degrees. I have always empowered others that “anything is possible if you want it enough and hard work gets you everywhere.”

Through these experiences, I have gained the knowledge, skills, and resources to not only match high calibre candidates to businesses nationwide, but to train and develop teams of consultants to deliver exceptional service through a consultative approach.

I founded Baltimore Consulting in early 2013 and believe it was my passion for people, alongside my drive and determination to set up a recruitment company that had a strong moral compass, while genuinely making a difference to the community, that has helped us achieve unprecedented growth to date.

Community involvement plays a vital part of the company’s business model – photo: Baltimore Consulting

Tell us about one (or more) of the people who inspired you along the way?

I’d say that strong women, that overcome adversity and those that aren’t afraid to show vulnerability really inspire me. We all have challenges in life and no one story is the same.

It’s how we overcome those challenges and our willingness to share our stories and what we have learnt along the way, that makes us inspiring.

American professor Brene Brown says “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.”

She talks about courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy and is a hugely positive role model for women.

Are there any memorable challenges you have faced along the way?

Challenges are inevitable in business, and I’ve faced my fair share over the years, especially as a young female entrepreneur, working within a male-dominated sector.

In 2018 I conducted an MBO to secure 100 per cent ownership of my business. It took a year to achieve, and I realised very quickly that while a robust business plan and clear strategic direction was important, lenders invest in you, personally.

It was my resilience, perseverance and belief in myself, my business and my people, that saw me secure what I needed to independently run my business.

The challenges along the way have simply made me stronger.

What is the most important thing for you to focus on in business?

For me it’s simple. My business recruits experts that make a difference to people’s lives within the community and our community and charitable contributions really do sit at the heart of everything we do.

I believe that if you focus on the feeling you’re chasing, that fulfilment through giving back, the numbers should inevitably follow.

It’s important for me to run a business with real purpose, heart, and values, which is probably why, a decade on, we can proudly boast success. Supporting Bristol’s most vulnerable is what we do best.

If you had one piece of advice to offer people aspiring to your role, what would it be?

Back yourself 100 per cent.

There will always be a queue of people to make you question if now’s the right time, if you have the right skills, etc. It’s important that you don’t join that queue of self-doubt and negativity.

Own your story and be proud of it. Surround yourself with good people and always seek advice from the very best to become the best version of you.

Main photo: Baltimore Consulting

Read next:

• Baltimore Consulting joins the better business network
• ‘A better Bristol to me is a city where businesses can thrive and people want to live, work and visit’
• ‘A better Bristol would include a more inclusive, independent vision for small businesses’

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