By A Grimsby businesswoman has been named as one of the top 100 female entrepreneurs in the whole of the country.
Alexis Powell-Howard, an accredited psychotherapist who founded Fortis Therapy and Training Ltd, multi-national award-winning mental health services, has been listed in the #ialso100 campaign for 2020, a celebration of the UK’s inspirational women in business.
The movement, which is organised by small business champions f:Entrepreneur and Peak B, showcases the entrepreneurialism and successes of female entrepreneurs, highlighting the many roles and achievements in their day-to-day lives. Its aim is to inspire women and men to be trailblazers within their own small business communities.
Alexis said: “I am thrilled to have been listed and I am proud to be a part of the f:Entrpreneur campaign. It’s not easy being a business owner (male or female) whilst also juggling other responsibilities and interests, being recognised for this is amazing – it helps that I love what I do”
It was Alexis’ own experience with mental health support following a traumatic accident that motivated her business journey. She became a qualified psychotherapist to ensure that people, especially those in a vulnerable position, wouldn’t have a poor experience like she had. Alexis has now been a practicing psychotherapist, coach, and trainer for almost 20 years, and in 2012 established Fortis Therapy & Training, which has grown to include a team of 24 associates and dedicated therapeutic spaces in Grimsby, Hull, and Scunthorpe – all whilst raising a family of three children with her husband, Matthew Powell-Howard.
Alexis has also carved a reputation for public speaking having delivered a TEDx talk and spoken at wellbeing conferences across the UK. Most recently, she has started her latest venture, Fortis Training Academy, a training facility for therapists, trainee counsellors, and professionals in the care sector. Fortis Training Academy will officially launch in the near future.
Alexis said: “Being recognised for all the different ‘other’ work that we do behind the scenes and the other roles we have, with the purpose of empowering others, is amazing. Championing other people and their potential is a huge part of being a therapist, a business owner, a parent and a friend too, and seeing others flourish is the best feeling. We should all be able to recognise all aspects of what we do and champion other people too to be proud of their ‘I also’s’.”
Throughout 2020, #ialso and f:Entrepreneur will be sharing the stories of each of the 100 businesswomen and hosting a series of discussions, panels, and events, including a huge celebration in the run up to International Women’s Day in London.
This is the latest accolade for Alexis and the team at Fortis Therapy and Training, who provide much-needed high quality mental health services to schools, businesses, organisations, and people of all ages, genders, and circumstances. In 2019, the business received three national awards in 2019, including ‘Small Business of the Year’ at the Small Awards.
