Ros Lockley: Turning Conflict Into Productive Communication (and Building a Business Around It)

“The key to a good relationship is effective communication.”

As a mediator, Ros Lockley of Communikeys has been helping people to resolve their conflict for 10 years. Having worked in the legal profession for many years, Ros is comfortable with conflict. Many people find conflict difficult, however Ros believes that conflict can create important change in the world. If dealt with respectfully, conflict can lead to a deeper understanding of each other and more meaningful relationships.

When Ros and her husband talked about separation, Ros felt ashamed that she helped so many people improve their relationships but couldn’t save her relationship with her husband. Ros asked him to talk about their relationship (for about 3-4 hours – the same time as a mediation) and by the end of this conversation, they had some clear ways forward.

Now, at Communikeys, Ros helps people resolve their disputes effectively and amicably. The communication skills taught within Ros’s courses foster better relationships with those we value, including ourselves, whether at work, at home, or within the community.

And better relationships make for a happier and more peaceful world.

Ros Lockley: “The HerBusiness community provides so much support and knowledge as well as friendship.”

Ros Lockley has been a member of the HerBusiness Network for four years now, and shares that the trainings provided by HerBusiness have been incredible, particularly on marketing, managing money and mindset.

Ros also shares that, “The HerBusiness community provides so much support and knowledge as well as friendship. It can be lonely running your own business. Joining HerBusiness has been the perfect blend of having colleagues but still maintaining my independence.”.

Learn more about Ros Lockley and Communikeys.

Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?

Oprah Winfrey. I love the idea of becoming successful and rich by raising others to their best sevles. I also love her story of rising from poverty to wealth, of not being considered successful in her field (of journalism) but making a success of where she landed (chat shows); her promotion of mental and emotional health; her generosity to her audience. What an amazing role model.

Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?

As a mediator, I have been helping people to resolve their conflict for 10 years. When my husband and I talked about separation, I felt ashamed that I help so many people improve their relationships but couldn’t save my relationship with my husband. I asked him to talk about our relationship (for about 3-4 hours – the same time as a mediation) and by the end of this conversation, we had some clear ways forward. I figure that if I can do this, anyone can. The only difference is that I know the skills and they don’t.

What do you enjoy most about running your own business?

I love dealing with my clients. They come in angry, scared and pessimistic and leave feeling optimistic and relieved. What a gift! And they pay me to do this!

What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?

1. Join a support network like Her Business. I wish I had joined sooner than I did. I have met so many wonderful women and learnt so much from them and the training on offer.
2. Keep marketing even when there is plenty of work. It takes time for the leads to come in so it needs to be a continuous flow.
3. Trust your instincts. You know your business and your clients better than anyone else. (A bit like nobody knows children better than their parents.)

What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?

Be patient. Stay in paid employment for as long as you can. Build up networks and an understanding about how to market your business before taking the leap.

What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?

• Marketing. Learning how to say concisely what I do and who my ideal clients are, has made a massive difference for me.
• Use AI. It has been wonderful to hand over tasks to ‘someone’ else. But I still need to read over everything (just as if I was handing tasks to an employee).
• Bookkeeping. Just knowing the basics (I use a very simple spreadsheet) so that I can hand over information that gives my accountant a full picture of my business’s financial situation and I understand what the financial situation is without relying on someone else to give me an honest picture.

What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?

In my ideal business, I work 3 days a week (or 120 days a year). The other 4 days a week / 245 days a year, I am able to enjoy my life, my friends and my family.

What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?

The trainings provided by HerBusiness have been incredible, particularly the marketing tutorials and webinars. I had no idea how to promote myself and what I do.

I have also found the other topics invaluable, particularly learning about managing money and mindset.

The HerBusiness community provides so much support and knowledge as well as friendship. It can be lonely running your own business. Joining HerBusiness has been the perfect blend of having colleagues but still maintaining my independence.

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