Member Spotlight: Cath Brown, Barrister, Coach, Trainer. Founder – Skilful Conversation

Each week we get to know one of the pro-manchester membership a little better. This week it’s Cath Brown, Barrister, Coach, Trainer. Founder – Skilful Conversation…

1. Favourite quote or saying?

“Leap and the net will appear.”  That helped a lot when I was working up to leaving the Bar and starting my coaching business.

2. Career highlight?

Getting my first clients after I set up my company.  The whole running a business thing was completely new to me.  I’d never had to do my own sales or marketing, so actually getting out there, meeting the right people, and being able to provide useful services to them was a really big moment for me.

3. Why do you love pro-manchester?

I really love the events programme (both in real life and what they’ve been able to do online).  I always meet someone interesting or learn something new.

4. What are you reading at the moment?

One of my lockdown projects was to read Harry Potter in Spanish – that’s still very much a work in progress but I’ve just finished “Where the Crawdads Sing” – I’ve still got mixed feelings about it.

5. What are you watching at the moment?

Big Little Lies – I am always behind with boxsets.

6. Favourite meeting place in Manchester?

Very close call between The Refuge and Ducie Street Warehouse.

7. Favourite lockdown activity?

My best lockdown purchase was a hammock so my favourite “activity” is making the most of that when the Manchester weather allows.  Pilates with my real-life teacher but on Zoom has also been a bit of a life-saver.

8. Most creative meal that you cook?

I had a brief phase of being very into Sri Lankan cookery when I got back from there last year so I learned to do a great breakfast of hoppers (their bowl-shaped pancackes), eggs and dhal.

9. Most creative thing you’ve seen on a video call during the lockdown?

I was a speaker on a webinar which had a Body Combat session in the lunch break.  I have also seen a lot of impressive but failed attempts to control pets – usually when I’m trying to focus on doing a mock cross-examination in the middle of a course.

10. Most mundane task you’ve completed since being in lockdown?

A lot of shredding, in an attempt to sort out my study.  This is also still a work in progress.

11. Do you write a blog that you’d like us to share?

Occasional blogs on my website at www.skilfulconversation.com

12. What are you looking forward to doing again the most after lockdown?

Hugging, travelling (on planes), going to gigs, going to the theatre, a day at the cricket.  I could go on.