E100: Ann Summers CEO: The Heartbreaking Story Of One Of Britain’s Richest Women: Jacqueline Gold CBE

Jacqueline Gold's early adversity deeply shaped her and influenced her career journey. Despite experiencing a challenging childhood and being subjected to sexual abuse by her mother's boyfriend, she developed resilience and a determination to find financial independence as her means of escape. Her mother's behavior, characterized by overprotectiveness in some areas but negligence in protecting her from abuse, remains a complex and difficult topic for Jacqueline to understand and reconcile. However, she has chosen to forgive her mother and feels sadness for the life she lived. This conversation emphasizes the power of personal resilience and the importance of finding one's own path to success despite facing immense challenges.

Our early experiences and upbringing can shape us into different individuals, even if we grow up in the same household with our siblings. Personalities, confidence levels, and coping mechanisms can vary greatly based on the timing and nature of our encounters with adversity. Jacqueline and Vanessa, despite being only a couple of years apart, had contrasting personalities and responses to their childhood experiences. Jacqueline's shyness and feeling of loneliness led her to develop resilience and a strong drive for success, while Vanessa appeared more outspoken and confident. It is essential to respect and understand that everyone navigates challenges differently, and their experiences, regardless of privilege or success, impact their lives uniquely. Empowerment, as seen in Jacqueline's work, stems from acknowledging and overcoming past traumas and helping others find freedom from their own struggles.

Experiences of pain and trauma can shape a person's actions and perspective in life. Jacqueline Gold recounts her difficult journey, highlighting the lack of courage she had as a young teenager and the need to please others. However, she eventually finds her strength and realizes her power as she grows older. She reflects on the importance of forgiveness and the ability to turn negatives into positives. Despite the challenges she faced, Jacqueline takes pride in her role in empowering women and creating cultural change. This conversation reminds us that while difficult experiences can be transformative, they do not define who we are, and we have the ability to overcome obstacles and shape our own destinies.

Stepping outside of your comfort zone and having the courage to pursue what you are passionate about can lead to great things. Jacqueline Gold shares her experience of overcoming shyness and fear to hold a conference and speak about something she truly cared about. She believes that courage comes before confidence, and that as you continue to step outside your comfort zone, your comfort zone expands and you become more successful. Additionally, she discusses how work became a place of freedom and escape from a difficult home life. Although her focus on work compromised her schooling, it provided her with empowerment and a sense of purpose. This conversation highlights the importance of pursuing your passions and finding empowerment in your endeavors.

Psychological trauma can have physical symptoms and consequences. Jacqueline Gold shared her experience of having tinnitus, a constant ringing in the ears, as a result of her trauma from being stalked. Steven Bartlett empathized with her, acknowledging that tinnitus can be a form of torture and can impact one's mental well-being. They both discussed the importance of understanding and raising awareness about the physical manifestations of psychological trauma. They also touched on the need for education on consent, as societal perceptions and victim-blaming can hinder victims from speaking out and seeking help. This conversation highlights the interconnectedness between mental and physical health and the ongoing challenges in addressing trauma and consent education.

Resilience and a bias towards optimism are crucial for overcoming challenges and finding opportunities in difficult situations. Jacqueline Gold's mindset of focusing on solutions and positive outcomes helped her face and conquer breast cancer. She recognizes the importance of finding opportunities and learning from adversity, leading her to live a healthier, more appreciative life. Steven Bartlett acknowledges the remarkable ability to maintain optimism in any circumstance, highlighting its significance in both personal and professional settings. In organizations, individuals with a bias towards optimism can inspire others and drive positive change, even in the face of adversity. On the other hand, the absence of this mindset can be costly, hindering progress and limiting possibilities. Embracing resilience and an optimistic outlook can lead to personal growth, success, and the ability to overcome even the toughest challenges.

Jacqueline Gold values empowerment and creative thinking. She emphasized the importance of instilling confidence in her daughter by constantly reminding her that she can achieve anything. During the pandemic, when her business faced challenges, she prioritized communication and reassurance with her team, ensuring that they were well-informed about the company's plans. Despite the difficult circumstances, the company achieved remarkable success by engaging with customers on social platforms and adapting their approach. Jacqueline's own career journey started with an unexpected opportunity to host parties for Anne Summers, which led her to recognize the need for a more comfortable and private environment for people to explore adult products. Her story highlights the power of creativity and innovation in sparking successful ventures.

Jacqueline Gold's decision to create a women-focused brand in the sex industry was a bold and successful move. Despite facing skepticism and negativity from business people, she followed her intuition and created a unique and candid atmosphere for women. Her lack of experience in business forced her to rely on customer feedback, which became a crucial aspect of her brand's DNA. By listening to her customers and challenging conventional norms, she was able to innovate and create a thriving business. This conversation highlights the importance of being open-minded, naive, and willing to learn from feedback. It also shows that embracing change and doing things differently can lead to success even in traditionally stigmatized industries.

Jacqueline Gold faced significant challenges when trying to expand her business, Anne Summers, into certain locations. There was brand bias and resistance from center management in Bromley, and even a bullet sent to her in the mail. In Dublin, the Dublin Corporation put pressure on her not to open a store, offering an alternative location. However, Jacqueline persisted, inviting them to the UK to see her stores and explaining her goal of empowering women. Despite negative media attention and a tense appearance on a talk show, Jacqueline's determination paid off. The Dublin store became one of their top-performing locations and even became a part of the tourist bus route. This highlights the importance of perseverance and staying true to one's vision, even in the face of adversity.

Jacqueline Gold faced numerous challenges and discrimination as a woman CEO, especially during the era when she became the CEO of Ann Summers. She experienced assumptions that her male colleagues were in charge, based on gender biases. Additionally, her height and youthful appearance also contributed to the perception that she couldn't be running the business. These instances of discrimination, such as being ignored in meetings or questioned about her ticket on a train, highlight the ongoing biases that women in leadership positions continue to face. Steven Bartlett acknowledges that most discrimination is invisible, with small decisions compounding against women over time. This conversation emphasizes the need for continued efforts to combat gender discrimination and biases in the business world.

Jacqueline Gold's focus on female empowerment has been a driving force behind her business success. She recognized the importance of creating a safe and open environment for women from the early days of her career. Over time, her passion for empowering women has evolved and expanded, leading to groundbreaking campaigns and societal impact. While financial success is recognized as an element of success in society, Jacqueline finds fulfillment in the financial independence she has provided to thousands of women. She considers her legacy of female empowerment to be far more important than material possessions or personal privileges. This conversation highlights the significance of creating a purpose-driven business that goes beyond financial success and positively impacts society.

The announcement of store closures during the pandemic created a sense of shock and uncertainty for retailers, who were left without hope or support from the government. Many companies had low levels of cash reserves and struggled to secure credit from banks due to fear and apprehension. Lifelines that were offered often didn't materialize or weren't applicable to their specific situations, leading to further frustration and challenges. In terms of personal struggles, maintaining a healthy relationship during difficult times requires emotional support, as vulnerability can arise. Additionally, the conversation shed light on the often-unspoken challenges faced by individuals undergoing the IVF process, emphasizing the need to remove stigma and offer understanding and support to both men and women experiencing fertility issues.

Undergoing IVF can be a challenging and emotionally taxing journey. Jacqueline Gold shares her experiences, highlighting the negative aspects of the process, such as feeling cautious and anxious due to the British approach. The couple had to see a counselor who ended up having a negative attitude towards them. However, when they went to a private clinic in San Francisco, they experienced a more positive and supportive environment, which ultimately led to a successful pregnancy. Unfortunately, one of the twins had a severe brain condition, causing tremendous emotional pain for Jacqueline. Despite the difficulties, they found solace and strength in their relationship and the support they received, eventually creating cherished memories of their son. This conversation emphasizes the emotional toll that IVF can have on individuals and the importance of finding support throughout the journey.

Trust can be easily broken, even in the most unexpected ways. Jacqueline Gold shared her shocking experience of being poisoned by her nanny, someone she trusted implicitly with her daughter. It highlights the importance of being cautious and vigilant, as people we trust may harbor hidden motives or conflicts. It also emphasizes the need for open communication and addressing issues directly instead of resorting to harmful actions. By sharing her story, Jacqueline has increased empathy towards those who have gone through similar situations and reminds us to approach others with empathy and understanding. This conversation serves as a reminder to never underestimate the impact of trust and the potential consequences when it is violated.

Life can be unpredictable and challenging, but it's important to have courage and be daring in order to navigate through difficult situations. Jacqueline Gold shares her experiences of trust being broken, facing trauma, and dealing with the aftermath of a court case. She emphasizes the importance of being confident, engaging, and not conforming to societal norms. Additionally, she highlights the value of networking and seizing opportunities that may arise from meeting new people. Steven Bartlett shares his own story of meeting someone in a queue who later became a significant investor in his business. This conversation reminds us that life is filled with unexpected twists and turns, and it's crucial to embrace opportunities and stay resilient in the face of challenges.

Success in business is not solely dependent on an individual's abilities, but rather on the people they surround themselves with and the culture they create. Both Jacqueline Gold and Steven Bartlett acknowledge the importance of recognizing the value of people in achieving business success. They reflect on their own experiences and admit that they initially overlooked the significance of building a strong team and fostering a positive work environment. This realization led to their growth and accomplishments. Additionally, their discussion highlights the power of optimism and finding the silver lining in adversity. By maintaining an optimistic attitude and seeking lessons in challenging situations, individuals can shape the outcome of their lives.