EPISODE 39 – From Pubs to Purpose: Jackie Moody McNamara on Belonging, Leadership, and the Power of Story

Cassie Davison welcomes Jackie Moody McNamara—a hospitality lifer who’s gone from sleeping on pool tables as a child to shaping executive teams across sectors. Founder of Be Brilliant, Jackie now works as a coach and consultant for businesses and individuals, helping them unlock confidence, align with purpose, and build safe, thriving environments for growth.Episode SummaryWith a rich story that starts in Birmingham’s community pubs and stretches all the way to boardroom influence, Jackie brings warmth, wisdom, and hard-won perspective to this episode. She shares how being raised above pubs by Irish immigrant parents shaped her deep sense of hospitality and belonging, and how that lived experience still guides her coaching today.We explore Jackie’s transition from pub manager to training lead, to executive director running 500 pubs—often as the only woman in the room—and how she learned to embrace her voice and values along the way. She and Cassie discuss motherhood, resilience, and how adversity and purpose often intertwine. Most powerfully, Jackie reflects on the work she does now: holding space for others, encouraging senior women to own their impact, and helping teams rediscover connection through storytelling.If you’re passionate about people, purpose, and what it really takes to build a strong, values-led business—this one’s for you.Key Discussion Points & Timestamps00:28 – Meet Jackie: Founder of Be Brilliant and veteran of the hospitality industry01:57 – Growing up in pubs: A family home full of warmth, community, and customers03:12 – From stew for the regulars to Christmas dinners for the homeless—hospitality as heart08:46 – Early work behind the bar, high standards, and falling into hospitality (and loving it)10:05 – First pub at 18: A stand-in relief manager turned full-time career11:25 – Learning by doing: Building empathy and adaptability from short-term pub placements13:03 – Walking into someone else’s business—and learning how to lead with respect14:24 – The unparalleled early career training hospitality provides young people15:32 – Being the only woman in the room—and not letting it stop your rise16:30 – Turned down for a pub because she was single—and how that opened new doors17:29 – Imposter syndrome, quick progression, and learning to own your place at the table24:38 – Four intense years: marriage, loss, motherhood, and managing a 500-site estate26:41 – A bold choice: leaving a 21-year career for family time—and what came next29:23 – Full circle: Watching your former team members rise—and being invited to work for them32:55 – When values don’t align: Learning when to walk away33:25 – Founding Be Brilliant: From accidental coach to strategic mentor34:51 – Who Jackie works with: SMEs, senior women, and leadership teams across industries36:36 – Coaching women to know their worth—and negotiate for it38:19 – From pub kid to safe space creator: Why storytelling is everything in building connection39:22 – The timeline exercise: How personal stories change team dynamics42:08 – Sharing the hard stuff: Building true belonging through emotional connection43:12 – Turning heartbreak and heaviness into purpose and progress45:47 – The biggest change in hospitality: Losing pubs—but not losing hope47:16 – Hospitality’s magic formula: Opportunity, growth, and real people-first careersConnect with Jackie🔗 Find Jackie on LinkedIn🌐 Visit: bebrilliantcoaching.co.uk (or search "Be Brilliant Jackie Moody McNamara")💬 Jackie works with individuals, teams and businesses—especially where people, purpose and leadership matter most.Keep up with Kith & Kin🌍 Visit: cassiedavison.co.uk🔗 Connect with Cassie on LinkedIn📲 Want to join the Kith & Kin WhatsApp community for hospitality?Message Cassie via LinkedIn or the website to request accessThis episode is a reminder that behind every confident leader is a story—and the courage to share it.