Karen Darby

Beginning her life on a council estate and leaving school with few qualifications Karen Darby seemed an unlikely candidate for future multi-million pound business owner, however, after setting up her first business aged just 22 Darby has gone on to become one of the most successful business management speakers and entrepreneurs of the last twenty years.

Initially working in telesales, Darby began working as a business speaker and consultant in the early 1990’s where she assisted clients such as Direct Line and BskyB. Feeling that the role lacked true challenges and noticing a sizable gap in the telesales and marketing industry Darby left her job and began developing her business idea.

Choosing not to burden her fledgling company with debt Karen Darby rejected offers of bank loans and instead secured backing through the British Venture Capital Association. Receiving £125,000 from the Sir Ronnie Cohen Bridges Community Ventures Fund, Darby launched her business SimplySwitch, a telemarketing company who aided customers in switching their energy and gas suppliers.

The confidence Darby presents when working as a business speaker is reflected in the boldness of her own business management strategies, whilst what many who have witnessed her after dinner speaker presentations have commented upon is Karen’s sunny outlook and happy-go-lucky personality.

After leading the company to great success Karen Darby sold the business to become a dedicated business management speaker. Making a profit of £5m Darby returned to advising and consultancy, this time however working for herself and unhindered by the reliance of a company wage.

A truly inspirational business management speaker Darby’s own business success speaks for itself, the courage and ingenuity she demonstrated in the successful development and sale of not one but two businesses indicates that Darby is a wise and shrewd business woman. Her optimistic and idealistic attitude enables her to make difficult decisions, whilst in her work as an after dinner speaker she preaches positivity and decisiveness to any would-be entrepreneur.