Being Of The Month: Lucy Lafferty Brown

This month we caught up with Lucy Lafferty-Brown, founder of female-led platform The Common Ground. The Common Ground is more than just a market place, its a digital ecosystem where women are at the forefront of innovation and economic growth. Lucy is also about to launch a brand new digital currency that will start within the platform - exciting times!

We met Lucy a year ago at Russell Brand's festival, Community, where we were exhibiting and were inspired by Lucy's story. Her drive and courage to start this project initially alone, now with business partner 'PR guru' Lynne Franks is something to be admired! This month we are focusing on self-belief and asked Lucy a few questions with this in mind in this mini-interview below...

The Common Ground is a brand new concept, where were you when you came up with the idea and how did it manifest into reality?

I was at’ Well-Being by the Lakes’ in Dorset in September 2021 and had a lightening spark meeting with the PR Stalwart Lynne Franks who I quite literally bumped into. I had been a lawyer with my own firm and had long had a passion for web 3 / cryptocurrency. Lynne has worked in Womens Empowerment for over 25 years and is the author of the ‘SEED Handbook’ ( Sustainable Enterprise and Empowerment Dynamics) 2004. We discussed the idea of new feminine economy based on the values of sustainability, empowerment, diversity and community and realised that the blockchain could provide the technology to enable this to become a reality. This idea was to later become our platform www.thecommonground.world which is a marketplace for women – led sustainable businesses ( both products and services). The platform’s unique currency ‘Grow Coin’ which is launching in October allows token- holders voting rights, benefits and discounts ( including up to 50% off seller commission fees!) Currently, you can earn Seed tokens easily for participating in the platform in lots of different ways and then you’ll be able to automatically exchange them for Grow Coin in October. We have made the process super easy, safe and secure and its very exciting as this will be many women’s first every crypto coin and probably even their first ever digital wallet!

As a busy entrepreneur with many plates spinning, what do you do to stay grounded and to stay focused? Do you have any tools up your sleeve or remedies you like to use?

Ah yes, the spinning plates! Fortunately, I had a bit of an ‘ awakening’ as to how stressful I had let my plate – spinning activities and coping mechanisms get, while on a silent retreat in the Pyrenees in 2018. Since then, I have become a daily meditator, I gave up the unhealthy habits ( mostly) , I actually have boundaries now (!!) and I like to use essential oils in the bath or on my pillow in the evenings. I still regularly go on retreat and have not long got back from the latest one with a wonderful group of women.

Can you tell us about any unique programs or services offered by The Common Ground that support mental, emotional, and physical well-being?

Yes – I’d highly recommend Frances Trussell’s ( Mindfully Happy ) ‘ Stress Less Course’ which you can find in our ‘ services’ section at www.thecommonground.world under ‘ Meditation’. It’s great for beginners AND for those wishing to re – connect or use mindfulness practices in their lives. I do firmly believe that it all starts with our emotional and mental well – being and from there, healthy new patterns / relationships/ lives can begin to flourish.

What is your top tip for someone with a great idea for a business, but perhaps lacks self-belief and confidence?

I have met so many women in this very predicament! There's so much to say on this but my top tip is to first of all find a community ( your tribe!) who you can speak honestly with about your idea and get support. If its not through your current friends/mentors then find some new ( additional or replacement) ones through a womens networking club or platform. Once you’ve got that belief then the next step is working out your barriers to entry. And personally I feel that any barrier can be overcome with belief, support, hard work and enough conversations!