Caroline Turner
My Story — From Experience to Purpose
Every chapter of my life has taught me something — from growing up in South East London to leading international training programmes and navigating the SEND system as a parent.
I was born in Sussex but grew up in South East London. Growing up in the 1970s and 80s, school was OK for me — no social media, no constant comparisons, and far less pressure than young people face today.
I did, however, struggle with reading, spelling and handwriting — mainly in primary school.
I was assessed for dyslexia, but in the 1980s, the understanding simply wasn’t there.
Whilst some teachers were kind and patient, others believed that forcing me to read aloud in front of the class was a “good” way to improve my skills.
It wasn’t. It took me years to recover from that.
Nothing like regular humiliation and fear to build confidence!
Even as an adult, I had to push myself to read in front of others without that old anxiety creeping in.
Even now, reading aloud in public is something I’d rather avoid.
I understand, on a personal level, how the right teacher or approach can build confidence — and how poor teaching methods can leave an impact that lasts for decades.
You can probably imagine how that felt when, later in life, I was researching and writing staff and management courses, reading in training classes to over 100 students, or facing the dreaded flip chart!
I've ALWAYS found those areas hard, and I still do.
You can imagine my joy when spelling and grammar checkers were invented!
Of course, now the world (and I) know that what I experienced is part of the neurodiversity family — and it’s one of the reasons I have such deep empathy for children who learn differently.
I always knew I was “clever”, but getting it onto paper wasn’t easy.
After leaving school, I spent a few years in office work before moving into the world of health and fitness — an industry that became the foundation for much of what I do today.
My real turning point came when I joined Steiner, now known as One World Spa, the company that operates spas on cruise ships.
It changed everything.
I started in fitness, moved into therapy, and found myself travelling the world, learning to lead, motivate, and communicate with people from every imaginable background.
I’ve always believed in learning and growth, so when the chance came to take on more responsibility, I grabbed it — not because I knew how, but because I knew I could figure it out.
That one decision reshaped my life.
AJ gave me opportunities I’ll always be grateful for — from spa manager to leading and redesigning global training programmes.
I later ran the company’s Management Development Programme between London and Miami, welcoming new managers from around the world and working closely with AJ and the team in Miami.
What began as a spa manager role quickly grew into designing and delivering the company’s business and personal development training, focused on communication, teamwork, sales, mindset, and how to succeed.
Why I’m grateful — and how that experience shaped everything that came next
That experience pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of.
It demanded more than technical skill — it required thinking outside the box, staying calm under extreme pressure, being self-reliant, adapting when plans don't work or need to change, and finding creative solutions to complex problems.
It taught me that confidence isn’t about knowing everything; it’s about trusting yourself to figure things out.
Those same qualities have guided me ever since — in business, but especially in navigating life as a SEND parent.
After twelve years with Steiner, I joined one of the UK’s largest franchise networks as a business manager, supporting around 50 business owners across the southern region in all aspects of running their businesses.
Over eight glorious years in a network that felt more like family than work, I deepened my passion for guiding and supporting others.
I redesigned the company’s two-week residential course for current and new franchisees, helping them strengthen their leadership, teamwork, and confidence.
That experience reinforced what drives me most — supporting people to grow in confidence, develop their skills, and build something lasting.
Together, these experiences became the foundation of my work as a business consultant today.
I was also a mum of two and a wife. I thought I had it all.
And then, within eighteen months, my life changed — not through my own choice, just a series of events.
Because sometimes, life isn’t fair.
While I held it together on the outside, my SEND journey began — restraint, complaints, diagnosis, EHCP requests, home education, financial hardship — the list is long, and I was doing it alone now.
And if you’ve read my SEND Parents page, you’ll understand.
By 2012, I was working for myself — not by choice, but because I needed flexibility.
I taught myself everything: how to build a website, coding, filmmaking and editing, graphic design, writing copy, a book, scripts, and taking my work online — long before it became as easy as it is today.
For every problem, I found the solution or fought to get it.
There have been incredible highs and crippling lows, but each experience has led me here — to now.
I can see so many crossovers between what I offer to business teams and leaders, and what could genuinely benefit parents at home and when dealing with schools, local authorities, and other professionals.
It puts me in a unique position to use my lived experience to support both small business owners — who can often feel isolated, overwhelmed and under pressure — and SEND parents, who can feel exactly the same, just in a different world.
Today, I divide my time between supporting a small number of business owners, helping SEND families navigate systems that too often fail them, and continuing to support my boys — and myself — as we rebuild after years of challenge.
Two very different worlds — but one purpose: to guide and support people to grow, learn, and develop.
Thank you for taking the time to read about me and my journey.
Every experience I’ve shared — the highs, the lows, the lessons — has shaped the work I do today and my commitment to making a difference for others.
If you’d like to stay connected, I’d love to share ideas, updates, and resources with you.
You can join the mailing list that best fits your world — whether that’s: