Jodie Goodchild

The LinkedIn Whisperer: Turning ‘ugh, LinkedIn’ into ‘aha, LinkedIn!’ Helping people and businesses grow while giving back to my community.

First a little fun…..two truths and a lie. Can you take a guess which is the fib? Answers at the bottom.

  • I once sang karaoke with a Spice Girl  
  • My Dad was a cartoonist for the Beano 
  • Sporty Spice (Mel C) knows who I am 

About Me:

My journey hasn’t been a straight path—far from it. Growing up in Leigh Park, I left school with no GCSEs and spent years struggling with my identity before proudly embracing who I am today as an out and proud lesbian. My challenging upbringing shaped me into someone who knows how to persevere and thrive, no matter the odds.

After building a hugely successful career in sales—generating millions of pounds in revenue—I decided to shift gears and focus on my passion and my “why.” For me, that’s about giving back. I started my own business, helping people and businesses grow using the free version of LinkedIn.

Alongside this, I’m deeply committed to my community, dedicating time to local charities and inspiring others through initiatives like the Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Awards. At the heart of everything I do is a desire to help others succeed, build authentic connections, and create opportunities where they didn’t exist before. That’s what drives me, every single day.

Joining the Pamodzi Tribe:

I first discovered the Pamodzi tribe through the Portsmouth Business Exchange, a local networking group. One of our guest speakers was Roni, and as soon as I heard her speak about Pamodzi, I was blown away. The passion and purpose behind the initiative were incredible, and I knew I had to get involved. Roni mentioned they were looking for more sponsors, so within a week, I invited her to my office to give her some free LinkedIn support to help make it happen. Needless to say, it worked—and we’ve been friends ever since! It’s been amazing to watch Pamodzi grow and to be a part of such an inspiring community.

Experience:

For me, becoming a Trailblazer started with a major realisation: money wasn’t what made me happy. I had a job that paid well, enough that I never had to worry about money, but I was deeply unfulfilled. The truth was, my work lacked purpose, and it was making me miserable. So, I made a bold decision. I quit.

My girlfriend and I bought a campervan and spent six weeks travelling, which gave me the clarity I needed. I realised that if I’d achieved so much already, I was capable of building something new, something meaningful. That’s when I decided to start my own business.

Fast forward two years, and while I may not have the same financial security I once had, I’ve found something far more valuable: an abundance of passion and a true sense of purpose. I get to make a real difference, help others, and create change every single day. For me, that’s what success truly looks like.

Life Lessons:

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to be unapologetically yourself. I spent 19 years hiding my identity as a queer person, afraid of what the world would think. When I finally came out, I realised there was an incredible community ready to welcome me with open arms. It was a life-changing moment, and I only wish I’d found the courage to do it sooner. Living authentically has brought me so much freedom and joy.

The second lesson is not to chase money. For years, I thought financial security equalled happiness, but I learned the hard way that it doesn’t. True fulfilment comes from having a purpose and doing work that aligns with your values. Once I stopped focusing on money and started focusing on making a difference, everything else fell into place.

Community Influence:

The biggest impact on my journey has undoubtedly been the LGBTQ+ community. When I finally found the courage to pop my head out of the closet, I was met with incredible friendships and unwavering support. It was a turning point in my life, showing me the power of belonging and authenticity.

Growing up, though, my first glimpse of this kind of empowerment came from the Spice Girls. They were my idols because they broke the norm, and their “girl power” movement was absolutely incredible. I especially admired Mel C—she didn’t fit the traditional mold set for girls. She rocked trackies, wore little makeup, and showed the world it was okay to be different. That message stuck with me and gave me strength during my own journey to self-acceptance.

As a business owner, the biggest impact has come from connecting with others on the same journey. Navigating the challenges of being a new business owner can feel overwhelming, but meeting like-minded people has been invaluable in figuring it all out. I also have to give huge thanks to my girlfriend, Sophie Hunt, whose unbelievable support over the past two years has kept me going and helped me thrive.

Reflection:

If I could speak to my younger self from 5–10 years ago, I’d say this: stop worrying so much about what other people think. It’s your life, live it for you. Don’t let society’s expectations dictate your choices; instead, focus on what you truly want to do.

And here’s the big one: don’t burn yourself out building someone else’s dream. Take that energy and passion and use it to work on your own dreams. It’s scary, but it’s worth it.

To those following, I’d say this: trust yourself, be unapologetically you, and don’t wait for permission to chase what sets your soul on fire. You’re more capable than you think, and the only person who can hold you back is you.

The big reveal:

I WISH I had done karaoke with a Spice Girl, but sadly, that’s the lie!

 I’m a HUGE fan of Mel C (Sporty Spice), and because of that, she actually knows who I am—I even have video evidence to prove it, haha. And yes, my Dad really was a cartoonist for the Beano! I’ve inherited his artistic skills and love to draw, and I’m a cartoonist myself.