London Fashion Week has always been about bold statements and unexpected encounters. But last week it delivered something truly special: a meeting between a mature model and a glamorous Chihuahua with a message about courage.
I had the most wonderful encounter after stepping off the catwalk: I met Andrea Hayden and her companion Imole, the star of Andrea’s children’s book Imole Paws & Pearls. Andrea kindly gifted me a copy, and I devoured it the next day. What I discovered moved me: though she writes for children and I write for adults, we’re saying exactly the same thing.
Two Voices, One Truth
Andrea’s Imole Paws & Pearls tells the story of Imole, a little Chihuahua from Mexico who dreams of twinkling lights, and sparkling jewels. Imole journeys from Mexico to London, discovering that being different might be the very thing that helps achieve those dreams.
My book, Flashpoint Transformation: Life’s Choices, asks adults a simple question: Ready to jump, or waiting to be pushed?
Different audiences. Different packaging. Identical message.
The Same Courage, Different Ages
Belonging. In Andrea’s book, Imole wonders, “What if I don’t belong?” That pause – that wobble before choosing – is precisely what I see in boardrooms and coaching sessions. I call it a flashpoint: the moment when a decision heats into transformation. Imole shows young readers what that courage looks like; I help adults recognise it in themselves.
Agency. When Imole whispers, “I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I chose to try,” that’s agency in its purest form. In my work, I ask clients: Are you waiting for life to push you, or will you initiate the jump? Andrea shows children that courage doesn’t roar; it’s often a quiet yes, spoken in first person.
Light as responsibility. Andrea’s message to children resonates deeply with my own philosophy. She reminds young readers that size doesn’t determine significance, that origins don’t limit destinations, and that when your heart is full of light, the world will feel it. I tell adults the same thing: your light isn’t meant to be hidden; it’s meant to illuminate the path for others. When we dim ourselves, we impoverish everyone around us. When we step forward – awkwardly, imperfectly – we add something vital to the world.
A Message for All Ages
What struck me most about Imole’s story is its closing message. Andrea speaks directly to the child who might be sketching on a napkin, cutting shapes from paper, or dreaming quietly in the corner of a busy room. She tells them to keep drawing, keep dreaming, and never forget that their light can change everything.
I’ve spent time telling executives and leaders the same thing: nurture the spark, refuse to let anyone extinguish it, and trust that your unique contribution matters.
Glamour Meets Grit
Andrea’s book is luminous, polished photographs by Vanity Studio London, pearls, red carpets, and a Chihuahua in a tuxedo. It’s an aesthetic invitation: courage can be elegant.
My work offers frameworks, questions, and decision-making tools, the practical mechanics of transformation. It’s the invitation to move from inspiration into action.
Together, our approaches say: beauty draws you in; practice moves you forward. You need both.
Why This Matters
Whether you’re reading Imole Paws & Pearls to a child or working through your own flashpoint as an adult, the message is identical:
- Protect the light in yourself and others
- Take the leap, even when you’re uncertain
- Understand that being different isn’t a disadvantage – it’s often your greatest asset
Andrea nurtures sparks early; I work to reignite flames later. The work is continuous: prevent the world from extinguishing a young light, and remind adults they can still glow.
An Invitation
If you’re a parent, teacher, or mentor, read Imole Paws & Pearls with your young people. Ask them where they feel like Imole – excited and unsure. Ask them what trying might look like. Remind them that it doesn’t matter how small they are or where they come from.
If you’re a leader, executive, or someone standing at your own crossroads, ask yourself: Where am I waiting to be pushed? What would “I chose to try” look like this week? What would happen if you trusted that your light matters?
Courage, it turns out, looks good at any age – and on any species.
