Kate Hardcastle, Charity Founder and Thriving Businesswoman, on Inspiring Young Women and Receiving Tesco’s Mum of the Year Award

“My passion and ambition was so high but I had no confidence to deliver it, so I know how much young people struggle with confidence,” stated Kate Hardcastle, as she explains why being a role model is so close to her heart.



Hailing from West Yorkshire, Kate Hardcastle is the type of woman who would much rather dry-shampoo and spend an extra hour supporting a local charity than perfecting her hairstyle in the mirror. “Passion, persistence and patience” is her motto and my, she doesn’t half stick by it! Passionate about her beliefs, persistent with delivering them, and patient with spreading the word, Kate is the epitome of inspirational. Some may wonder how it is possible that she has the perfect work/home balance - being an in-demand businesswoman and motivational speaker, side by side with running several charities and a sports team, we can’t help but admire Kate for being such an incredible parent as well as remaining a hugely influential figure in her community.

Award-winning innovator, charity founder, rugby club director, brand developer and RSPCA patron are amongst her wide array of job titles - and perhaps her most important job title of all - being a Mother, has also won her awards. “When I received the award, I really felt a huge amount of confidence because I was being recognised for not just trying to do things for my own family, but for the work I do in the community,” gushed Kate as she expressed how much it meant to her to receive Tesco’s “Mum of the Year” Award in 2013. “I think as a parent when you’re out there doing what you can and supporting charities, your time is very precious. Sometimes your child ends up getting picked up by someone else and you get a massive guilt trip about it, so you’ve got to get a good balance.”

“When I was 30 I set up Insight with Passion, and I made sure that it had an element of giving back to the community,” says Kate, reflecting on just one of her successful charities, where all of the team members have a day off work so that they can spend that time volunteering and giving time back to valuable causes close to their hearts. Alongside Insight with Passion, Kate also founded Dreamgirls. Launched seven years ago, “it is an organisation which raises awareness for charities that have a message to get out there, and it uses people who are willing to contribute time and support for the community.” Dreamgirls is focused on empowering women, and hosts various events such as fashion shows and floristry events in order to create awareness.

Squeezing our chat into her busy schedule, Kate is on her way back from an event, “today I was at a college in Preston, talking to sixty students about how they are feeling, their confidence, and where they are at in life. I am trying to inspire them to go on and achieve the life they want to lead.” Spreading her passion, persistence and patience with each and every person whom crosses her path, Kate Hardcastle is a force to be reckoned with and truly one of the most uplifting women of our time.