For Fiona McCoss, business is not about hustle culture or rigid corporate structures, it’s about creating sustainable success through intuition, connection, and embodied leadership.

As founder of Wild Feminine Retreats and creator of the Wild Feminine Facilitator Training, she has built a thriving international community supporting women to reconnect with themselves, their bodies, and their creativity. From transformational retreats in Greece and Ibiza to mentoring female entrepreneurs around the world, McCoss has developed a business model rooted in what she calls “feminine business”, one that values nervous system regulation, pleasure, flexibility, and authentic human connection over burnout and one-size-fits-all formulas.

What do you currently do at your business?

My core offerings are my signature Wild Feminine Facilitator Training, one-to-one mentorship, and immersive retreats. Right now, I’m supporting 16 women through the current training cohort while preparing to host retreats in Crete and my online Wild Feminine Solstice Festival, which reaches over a thousand women globally.

No two days are ever the same. One day I may be teaching a masterclass, another focused on strategy, marketing, or client mentorship. What matters most to me is intimacy and genuine connection. I don’t see clients as names on a spreadsheet, I know their stories, their families, their dreams, and often even their pets’ names.

Together, we work on everything from nervous system healing and feminine leadership to pleasure, emotional expression, and business sustainability. My work is centred around helping women reconnect with themselves in a world that often encourages disconnection and over-performance.

Who do you admire?

Honestly, the women I work with who are mothers.

I’m child-free by choice, and I’ve chosen to pour my creative energy into the businesses and communities I’ve built. But I witness every day the depth of work many mothers are doing, not only raising children, but consciously breaking generational patterns and creating emotionally healthier environments for their families.

They’re teaching their children about boundaries, emotional literacy, consent, and self-worth in ways previous generations often didn’t experience. That level of self-awareness, sacrifice, and devotion deserves far more recognition and support than society currently gives it.

Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently?

I probably would have studied business or economics earlier on. When I first started, I had to teach myself everything from scratch and invested heavily in coaches and programmes to understand how to build a sustainable company.

Some of those investments were invaluable. Others weren’t.

What I eventually realised was that many traditional business formulas simply didn’t align with how I wanted to work or live. I had to create my own blueprint, one that balanced success with sustainability and nervous system health.

Personally, I’d also remind myself to enjoy the process more. Entrepreneurship can easily become an endless pursuit of the next milestone. I’m still learning to slow down and appreciate the beautiful moments along the way.

What defines your way of doing business?

The way I run my business is deeply rooted in feminine principles, which looks very different from traditional business culture.

For me, feminine business means working cyclically rather than mechanically. It means understanding energy, nervous system regulation, intuition, pleasure, creativity, and sustainability. I structure my work around what allows me to operate at my best, not around rigid nine-to-five expectations.

It’s also about rejecting performative hustle culture. You won’t find aggressive sales tactics or “bro marketing” here. I believe business can be deeply successful without burnout, urgency, or constant pressure.

My approach blends intuition with strategy. I trust what feels aligned while also applying systems and structure that genuinely support growth. Ultimately, I want to build businesses that support life, not consume it.

What advice would you give to someone starting out?

Get support early and build slowly.

I often describe feminine business as a “slow burn” model. It takes time to build sustainable momentum, but once it’s established, it creates something far more enduring than overnight success culture.

Too many people leave corporate seeking freedom and accidentally recreate the same stress and burnout patterns inside their own businesses. That’s why structure, systems, and support matter so much.

I’d also ask people to be honest with themselves: do you truly have the resilience and vision to build something long-term? Entrepreneurship is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also deeply challenging. Without a strong “why,” it becomes very difficult to stay committed when things get hard.

And finally, don’t let fear stop you. Most people regret the opportunities they didn’t take, not the ones they did.

What are your favourite things to do outside of work? How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?

Pleasure and spaciousness are priorities in my life, not rewards I “earn” after overworking.

I’ve intentionally designed my business to support balance. I don’t check my phone before 8am or after 7pm, I avoid client calls on Mondays, and I don’t start desk work before 10am. These boundaries allow me to stay regulated, creative, and present.

Outside work, I love gardening, dancing, redecorating our home in Somerset, and spending time outdoors. Earlier this year, my partner and I bought a house in Frome, so I’ve been planting flowers and creating a space that feels nourishing and grounding.

And when I travel for retreats, I always stay a few extra days, preferably near a beach.

Read more:
Getting to Know You: Fiona McCoss, founder of Wild Feminine Retreats

Please name an entrepreneur you admire.
Actually I could name several! At ITP we know several entrepreneurs who set up their own successful telecoms companies – many of whom started in the industry as apprentices. They are now working with us to offer apprenticeships with their companies and maybe creating entrepreneurs of the future.

What is your favourite film?
It’s hard to choose a favourite. My favourite film this year is ‘Bridge of Spies’ as I find anything about the Cold War fascinating. I was fortunate to have worked behind the Iron Curtain early in my career.

Favourite music or band?
I was a student in the 80s so if I were making a play list, it would include: Joy Division, Level 42, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Soft Cell, Ultravox etc etc.

Favourite TV show?
Prisoners of War – the original Homeland based in Israel. Find it on Netflix! Everyone I have recommended it to has loved it. It’s a grittier and scarier than Homeland and although the first couple of episodes are similar, it then goes off in a very different direction.

Favourite book?
I’m an avid reader so my favourite book this year is ‘All the Light you Cannot See’ by Anthony Doerr – it’s a story based on French and German radio operators in WWII but really it is about humanity and decency. And, my favourite book of all time is probably Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’

Favourite holiday destination? Cinque
Terre, Italy – beautiful coastline and amazing walking and swimming. It’s a UNESCO Heritage Site so there are no cars and no big brands.

What do you think of the Apprenticeship Levy?
At ITP we are completely pro any initiative that encourages employers to offer career opportunities to young people. We are waiting for more clarification on the Levy so I hope we will have a clearer view on it within the next few weeks.

One piece of advice to a new start up
Be clear about what you do and make sure you are communicating that to your staff and customers. And look after your best asset – your staff – you will work very hard as you set up your business but you can’t do it alone. A loyal team around you will help you succeed

Read more:
My Influences: Ann Potterton

Launched in April 2015 Businesscomparison.com has forged relationships with both new lenders and high street banks boasting the most comprehensive list of business financial help products in the UK.

Head of Businesscomparison.com, Philip Brennan previously worked at MoneySuperMarket.com and Bank of America.

Entrepreneur you admire

James Watt and Martin Dickie the Brew Dog boys. They have come in and disrupted an industry which has been controlled by the big corporations for a long time. They have a passion for what they do and have also been very smart with their marketing and PR. All of this so far away from trendy London in far reaches of Aberdeenshire! Also they have vision and are creating a global brand. I would love to share a “Dead Pony Club” with them one day.

Favourite Film

Big with Tom Hanks, it is a classic.

Music/Band

The Beta Band, Three EP’S album reminds of my university time when I was cool, it is very bohemian.

Favourite TV Show

It may be a little too easy but I think Game of Thrones is amazing I love how they are able to develop so many story lines at once. If we are looking historically it would the comedy shows Brass Eye or Alan Partridge – pure genius.

Theatre

I only go with my dad in Liverpool once or twice a year to the Empire or Royal court. For the likes of Lennon, You’ll Never Walk Alone and Blood Brothers.

What is your favourite holiday destination?

For a city break I love Budapest cheap, beautiful, good beer, good food and good night life. For a longer break the Whitsunday islands in Australia are amazing, white beaches and fantastic diving, but everyone goes to the east coast, if you want true wilderness travel up the west coast from Perth to Darwin.

One Piece of advice to a new Start Up

Trust the people you work with and have a motivated team. A majority of time is spent working so we should enjoy it. If someone is not working with you they are working against you so let them go before they bring you and your team down. You need to have trust so that they can share responsibilities – you cannot manage everything yourself. The best managers know how to delegate – it is not being lazy.

Read more:
My Influences: Philip Brennan

Entrepreneur you admire?
Jim Clerkin. He is from Northern Ireland and is currently the President and CEO of Moet Hennessy USA. I find him an inspirational local entrepreneur and had the opportunity to meet and listen to him in Belfast last year. He started his working life on his father’s pig farm in Rostrevor before working for Guinness and then progressing through the ranks from there to his current post. His ethos of hard work, dedication and keeping close to the brand marketing is something I genuinely admire. Northern Ireland, despite being a small region of the UK, has a lot of entrepreneurs many of whom are now competing on the world stage.

What is your favourite Film?
Unbroken. The film chronicles the life of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who was taken prisoner by the Japenese forces during World War 2. It is one of those films you could watch over and over again and I recommend it as a must see film.

What is your favourite Music/Band?
I am a big fan of Snow Patrol, Coldplay and Kodaline at the moment. Snow Patrol and Coldplay are very different vocally but what I like about them is how they also for me have similarities. For example both Snow Patrol and Coldplay have great piano driven songs.

What is your favourite TV Show?
At the moment I am very into Blacklist. The twists and mystery in the series are keeping me gripped. I am also a huge Walking Dead fan!

What is your favourite holiday destination?
Anywhere there is sun, sea, sand and I can relax and unwind. Portugal is a current favourite of mine and I would love to do Route 66 sometime for the experience.

What is the future of Corporate PR & Marketing in your view?
The future of corporate PR communications and marketing is more bite-sized, visual, engaging and interactive media content. This brand content will increasingly be designed for mobile first and desktop second. The shift from text to moving image is, and will remain for the foreseeable future, at the very heart of brand content marketing strategy today.

In today’s fragmented media landscape what you have is a fragmentation of your target audience across multiple devices. What this means is that strategic brand communication integration to address that fragmentation of consumer experience is increasingly becoming business crucial. Digital Marketing is and will remain big. However, Digital Marketing is a fast moving industry and the problem with any fast moving industry is that you can easily become technology centric – meaning that you focus on the next big technology, trend or social network – rather than being customer centric in marketing which is what we should be. Corporate PR today and in the future must also go deeper than just communicating effectively with stakeholders. It must shape and change a brands internal culture in order to continually protect and enhance brand reputation.

What advice you would give to a new SME Start Up?
Have patience and persevere. Create the space for innovation in your business to continually differentiate it from your competitors. Innovation happens first in the quietness of the mind as an idea. It is then amplified and brought to life through the power of collaboration and networking. Building your network and a willingness to collaborate on projects, particularly in the tech and digital sectors is therefore critical. While in the early days you may be focused on growth a start-up business can also grow too fast. You need to build your internal capacity and capabilities first before you embark on rapid growth especially in the digital and tech sectors. I believe strongly that you don’t build a business, you build people and then people build the business. As your business grows always stay close to the brand and marketing activity to ensure strategic alignment to your business values and objectives as the founder of the business is not diluted when you delegate the marketing.

Read more:
My Influences: Johnny McGinley

Entrepreneur You Admire

Delia Smith. For me, she is a great example of a savvy entrepreneur who goes against the illusion of having to be tough to make it in the business world. She’s a strong, influential woman, with a down to earth attitude, who’s successfully subverted gender roles by breaching the gap between being a celebrity cook and owning Norwich Football Club.

Favourite Film

Gone With the Wind. This epic romance is a classic that I’ve watched countless number of times growing up. It’s one of those films that you can watch over and over again – it never gets old!

Favourite Music/Band

I have a varied taste in music; everything from Daft Punk to Regina Spektor. Currently, I’m really enjoying listening to Haim, I love their music and look – I also admire the strength of three sisters working together, and is something I feel I can relate to as my two sisters and I work together to drive our brand, Shepherds Markets forward.

Favourite TV Show

The Apprentice. I find the concept of individuals chasing their dreams truly inspirational. Alan Sugar does a great job of getting them ready for the world of business and each week’s challenges never fail to entertain. From working with our traders, who come from a variety of industries and backgrounds, we understand the challenges which can be faced along the way in running a company and consequently the importance of working together to achieve growth and success.

Favourite Theatre Show

I recently saw “The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable” in London, an interactive performance where each member of the audience puts on a mask and roams around the set. I had no idea what to expect before I saw it, and found it uniquely enthralling, riveting and confusing as a psychological play. On a lighter note, I’m also a big fan of musicals!

Favourite Holiday Destination

Padula, Italy. With Italian blood in my family, I have always gone to southern Italy since I was a child. We are an incredibly close household, which is what I feel makes our business even stronger and even invite our traders to join the ‘Shepherds Markets family’ on a regular basis. I have some lovely childhood memories in Padula, not forgetting to mention the amazing food, beautiful scenery and guaranteed sun.

Favourite Book

‘Io non ho paura’, an Italian book by Niccolo Ammaniti, translated as ‘I’m Not Scared’. Set in southern Italy, it tells the tale of an Italian family and how they overcome adversity together. I feel a strong personal connection with the story, as I’m from a very close family, and this book underlines the importance of strong, family ties.

A Person You Admire

J. K. Rowling. She is proof that if you have a dream, and you work hard, you can achieve it. As a single mother, she went against the odds and managed to create a whole other world with her writing. She showed bravery and courage; in my eyes she is a great example of how you can turn an idea into a reality. This is exactly what my sisters and I are trying to achieve with Shepherds Markets. Nine years ago, it was merely a thought we had, yet now we look after over 60 traders on a regular basis, providing a supportive platform and channel for them to succeed.

One Piece of Advice to a New Start-Up

Persevere. Success is not going to happen overnight! You have to focus and keep refining your brand and product. There are bound to be struggles along the way, and your idea will inevitably change and evolve, but don’t give up and don’t be scared to take risks.

Read more:
My Influences: Kitty Shepherd

Entrepreneur you admire

Sir Terry Matthews. He is Wales’ first billionaire and an example to all of us.
He’s committed to harnessing the skills of young graduates and has replicated the same business model on a number of occasions and repeatedly made a success out of it.

Favourite Film

Terminator. It’s a classic 1980s action film that reminds me of my childhood. The second one wasn’t bad either! Schwarzenegger at his best.

Music/Band

I’m a big fan of UK garage. Around the end of the 90s, garage was huge and it was massively popular at university. You could always catch me in front of the big names – DJ Luck and MC Neat and The Heartless Crew. I loved it then and I love it now.

Favourite TV Show

Scrum V. I’m a big rugby fan and enjoy catching up on the game I love the most. I used to play a lot and we sponsor the Newport Dragons, so always great to catch them when I can.

Theatre

I like to go to the West End annually and I absolutely love Shrek. It’s an amazing production. Though I am looking forward to seeing Charlie and the ChocolateFactory, as I loved the original film. Maybe I’ll have changed my mind by then…

Holiday Destination

California West Coast. My dad drove me and my sister from San Francisco to Los Angeles when we were teenagers and I would love to go again with my wife. I love an exploring holiday, and this was exactly that. Get up and go. Stop and explore when you like. Bliss.

Book

Right now I’m reading Nelson Mandela’s Conversations with Myself. It’s a book of his interview, manuscripts and writings. It’s a tough read but I’m constantly inspired by this incredible man. His influence is staggering.

A Person You Admire

It has to be my dad. He’s always pushed me to do well and has always been a driver in my life. He was very focussed on making sure me and my sister got a good education and career. He focused me on making a success out of myself.

One Piece of advice to a new Start Up

Go with your gut instincts. People will always try to push you one way or another but if you believe in your decision-making, you have to go for it. Don’t be swayed by others’ opinions. You know your niche better than anyone.

Read more:
My Influences: Richard Selby

Entrepreneur you admire

Right now, it has to be Larry Page at Google. He’s driving Google to buy new companies, launch incredible new products and change the game at every step. And everything Google does right now seems to pay off.

Favourite Film

Star Wars Episode IV, A New Hope. My childhood started here.

Music/Band

The Stone Roses, Radiohead, The Smiths. All have enriched my life in equal measure.

Favourite TV Show

I have too much work to do and too many children to spend time with, so I don’t get a chance to watch much TV, but I’ll choose Celebrity Juice for a mindless blast of crude humour any day.

Theatre

Um, I go to the pantomime in Richmond every year. Does that count?

Book

The Hobbit. The first proper book I ever read, and still one of the best.

One Piece of advice to a new Start Up

Go your own way. In a hyper competitive business environment, it’s the only way that will work. Here’s an example of bad decision making: near where I live in West London, an expensive wine shop closed down because it wasn’t making any money due to being surrounded by more competitively-priced supermarkets. A few months later, someone bought the lease and opened up…. another expensive wine shop. I felt like knocking on the door and telling them to stop! You have to find or invent a gap in the market and run with it, if you’re not doing that, you’re not doing anything that’s likely to succeed. You need to create your own magic.

Read more:
My Influences: Alex Buttle

Entrepreneur you admire

Sir Terry Matthews. His success rate is simply outstanding. He has started around 90 companies and has rarely made mistakes. I admire his business model of harnessing the skills of graduates and young people to develop the workforce of tomorrow. The development of the Celtic Manor Resort puts Newport and South Wales on the map, and I’m proud to be a part of it.

Favourite Film

Lawrence of Arabia. Not just because of my namesake but because it is a great film and one I will never tire of. Peter O’Toole was a great actor and a great man.

Music/Band

I love anything in the Reggae/Soul genre, with Bob Marley being a favourite. Listening to a bit of reggae in the evening helps me unwind after a long day in the office or working with a retailer.

Favourite TV Show

Gavin and Stacey. As a born-and-raised Barry boy, it brings me back to my roots, promoting the place I love. It’s funny, too! I wish they never dropped it, although rumour has it that they’re launching a movie soon – I hope so!

Theatre

Jersey Boys. I’ve seen it in New York and thought it was fantastic. It’s about boys that have come from nothing and made it in life. I can relate to that.

Holiday Destination

Cape Town. You have to have been there to appreciate its magic. The views, the environment, the people, the food, the wine! I could go on. It’s far and away the best place in the world I’ve ever been.

Book

Alex Ferguson’s new autobiography. The book provides a real insight into the real ‘man’ behind the manager; what made him tick, how he motivated his team and how he built relationships with those close to him.

A Person You Admire

My father. He was a very strong person in my life and is the reason I’m like I am today. He is somebody I’ve always aspired to and I’ll never fill his shoes. He was totally grounded and morals and values mean the world to me. A very well respected man.

One Piece of advice to a new Start Up

Don’t give up. Never throw in the towel. If I had quit when told that my ideas weren’t possible, I would not be where I am today. If you want to succeed, you have to persevere. Don’t be scared to make mistakes.

Read more:
My Influences: Peter O’Toole

Entrepreneur you admire:
Elon Musk. If not a genius, then very close to being one. His ability to operate successfully across sectors (finance, automotive, space, mass transit) seems to come from his ability to have a deep understanding of the technology involved and simultaneously to connect the all pieces of the business model together in a coherent plan. He clearly hires extremely successfully too!

Favourite Film

The Shawshank Redemption. Wonderfully acted with a great plot and beautifully shot. Even more amazing that although it never did well on the big screen, is regularly in the top ten of many lists. The story encapsulates envy, greed, hope and the strength of the human spirit. I rarely watch films twice but I’ve seen this about eight times.

Music/Band
I have such an eclectic taste in music that this is really difficult to answer. I’m always inspired by Mozart and Bach’s Goldberg Variations are as close to perfection as you can get. However there is plenty of contemporary pop/rock music that delights me. If I really had to pick something it would be Dave Brubeck’s Take Five with Cesaria Evora’s Petit Pays coming a close second. Oh no, that’s two. Doh!

Favourite TV Show
Much easier – The West Wing. Without doubt the best scripted series that has ever been on TV. I have a friend who, in the George W Bush era, would wake up in the morning thinking Jed Bartlett was president, and then crumple back into bed when they realised it was just a dream. I quite agreed.

Theatre
For spectacle, lyrics, musicality, then Les Miserable is hard to beat. However I enjoy any production, musical or not, when I get a chance to go. Live theatre has a human involvement that simply cannot be imitated electronically.

Holiday Destination

Holiday? Well pretty much anywhere sounds good, but Rome has to be my favourite city. Skiing in the Alps is hard to beat in the winter – coming off the slopes with my wife and kids, exhausted, exhilarated and enjoying big skies – oh yes!

Book

I mostly read business books; some are excellent, others trite. When I read a novel I tend to get utterly absorbed for days on end – and when I read Sebastian Faulkes “Birdsong” I was a wreck for some time after.

A Person You Admire
An old military friend of mine called Rob Herring. He is the most disciplined individual I know and has competed in the Karrimor Mountain Marathon (elite class) at the same time as commanding a large Army training regiment, as well as raising (with his wife) a family of three children AND doing an MBA. He still had time to call my wife every month when I was serving on overseas operations. If I could have 10% of his focus and drive I would be Elon Musk (see earlier!)

One Piece of advice to a new Start Up
Niche down. Then niche down again. Then do it one more time till it hurts. You’ll think you can be all things to all people, and if you can only get 1 per cent of that market of millions, then you’ll be successful. Rubbish. Far better to find a total market of 50 who all want your specific product/service. You’ll save a fortune on marketing, development, training and staff. Your client base will also understand that what it is you are offering will suit exactly their situation.

Read more:
My Influences: Carl Benfield

Entrepreneur you admire
Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway). His is a fascinating story.

He has amassed an incredible wealth yet famously he doesn’t believe in squandering it, still living in the same house he purchased for $30,000, only owning one car and retaining a penchant for hamburgers and coke. A philanthropist, he has reportedly committed to giving away the vast majority of his wealth to good causes.

At school he was known as having a liking for figures and there are stories of numerous ways in which he would look to earn money.

In his investment career he has extolled the virtues of investing for the long term and in a fair, consistent approach to his fee earning criteria. His keen eye for undervalued stocks gained him a massive following and the title of the “Sage of Omaha”. It’s a pressure he seems to take in his stride, demonstrating a welcome honestly in admitting to those rare mistakes.

Honesty, consistency, confidence and philanthropy – all virtues to admire.

Favourite Film
The Blues Brothers with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. A cult classic, it’s impossible to tire of a night in with a few tins, watching Jake and Elwood Blues and a host of music superstars, including the likes of Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and John Lee Hooker.

Music/Band
My formative musical years were in the punk and new wave era. Anyone who has heard my current ringtone will know that Elvis Costello has remained a favourite. My Aim is True is a classic and whilst not all of his musical journeys since have hit the right note for me, he is an enduring and fascinating singer/songwriter.

Favourite TV Show
The fact that The Young Ones series is downloaded to my iPad gives you a clue as to my sense of humour. However, I am an avid news, politics and current affairs buff. The programme that fulfils my love of both humour and politics is Have I Got News For You. I never miss a show. It is an endearing British trait that we enjoy being able to poke fun at our political leaders.

Theatre
My wife and I have seen Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers a number of times and it has become a firm favourite. Living in Cardiff, with the wonderful Wales Millennium Centre so close, I have grown to enjoy and admire the work of the Welsh National Opera. Their La Boheme was my first introduction to the genre and not surprisingly it has left me with the opera bug.

Holiday Destination
With young children we tend to stay in the UK and for us it has to be the seaside. We love the West Wales coast and we regularly stay in a wonderful cottage on the river at Aberaeron. Aberaeron is a stunning harbour town and it has some of the UK’s best beaches within easy reach. Crabbing with my daughters bring back many happy childhood holiday memories. If blessed with good weather, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the World.

Book
It’s a frustration that between the demands of my business and family, I find so little time to read new books, with any spare time spent with my head in a newspaper.

One book I refer back to more than any other is the Dictionary of Cynical Quotations by Jonathon Green. My book shelf is full of biographies and autobiographies of political figures and political diaries.

I’m a keen cook and a weakness of mine is the buying of cook books – some of which hardly get opened. Although Rick Stein’s India is well thumbed and most of the recipes have been tested.

A Person You Admire
A person I admire is a business mentor of mine of many years by the name of Andrew Pirie. He instilled in me, when working for a demanding subsidiary of HSBC, a commitment to sound business ethics – doing the right thing in the right way. He/we never cut corners and proved that it is possible to make money without compromising the quality of our advice and that you can treat your people fairly. This is something I have never forgotten and I have made difficult career decisions so as not to compromise these principles.

One Piece of advice to a new Start Up
Listen to your customers. If you fail to continually communicate with customers you are susceptible to believing your own hype.

Social media offers tremendous opportunities to keep communication lines open with customers. As your business grows you will need to be agile, and listening to customer feedback will ensure that you can tweak your product/service. Fail to communicate and/or listen and you may reach a point where it is too late to change.

Read more:
My Influences: Paul Gardner

Entrepreneur you admire.

That would have to be Hilary Devey. She is proof that if you really want something and are prepared to work for it, it can be achieved. Steely determination and grit. In a similar vein I would also say Mary Portas. Like me, neither is afraid to speak their minds.

Favourite film.

That more depends on the genre of film. I enjoyed Milk and The Iron Lady for their political and historical viewpoint.

Music / Band.
I have quite a broad taste in music. I like anything from the Freemasons right through to classical. (I can’t stand anything from Taylor Swift).

Favourite TV show.
I don’t really watch much TV. I have to admit that I do enjoy Strictly Come Dancing. Every time it’s on I think to myself ‘I must make time to learn this’, but I never do. Too busy!

Theatre.
I do enjoy going to the theatre and musical theatre. The last show I saw was Beautiful Thing. It was amazing and the cast did a fantastic job of really drawing you into the story.

Holiday destination.
That would have to be the Cotswolds. Not very exotic I know, but I love everything this country has to offer. The Cotswolds offers picture postcard landscapes and what can almost be described as a window to the not too distant past. Perfect for relaxing holidays.

Book.
I spend most of my time reading the latest business and retail news updates. I normally tend to read when I’m on annual leave. The last couple of books I read were complete polar opposites. One was complete escapism; Jackie Collins – Lethal Seduction; the other was Hilary Devey – Bold As Brass. Saying that, they both contained strong woman!

A person you admire.
My partner. He’s always supported me in everything I’ve done and still continues to do so after nearly ten years.

Read more:
My Influences: Thomas Kirkpatrick of RDO Kitchen Appliances

Entrepreneur you Admire
Victoria Beckham: She has gone on to reinvent herself as a respected and sought after business woman and fashion designer, making a very successful career for herself developing the Beckham brand.

Favourite Film
I don’t think I could choose a favourite film as it depends on the mood I am in but the following are some of my favourites; Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Forest Gump, Iron Man films and As Good As It Gets.

Music/Band
I have a very varied taste in music, loving everything from popular chart songs to opera and Jazz and Blues. I recently went to see Hugh Laurie and The Cooper Bottom Band in concert and the whole concert was brilliant. I would love to do a music tour of North America to places such as Chicago and New Orleans.

Favourite TV Show
Any period drama. My recent favourites being Downton Abbey and more recently The White Queen. But I will always love to re-watch the BBC adaption of Pride and Prejudice.

Theatre
Cats. My mum is a big fan of the musical, and growing up in London I must have seen it over six times. It reminds me of days out as a child with my Mum, and the soundtrack never gets boring!

Holiday Destination
I love travelling and I struggle to decide on one place as my favourite. However, as a child I used to spend my summer holidays on an Island called Ischia in the Amalfi Costs. The location and scenery of the island is breathtaking and I am still surprised on every visit by the truly enchanting beauty of the Amalfi Coast. Of course, the food is also amazing!

Book
Any cookery book. I Iove finding new unusual cookery books, some of favourite I bought during my time in Italy. I have also recently discovered the real benefit of self-help books, either focused on business or personal matters. I have recently finished The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari and found it to be a really interesting read.

A person you admire
My mum. She has always taught me to be strong, determined and to want the best in life. More importantly, she has taught me to learn from the bad days and carry on.

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My Influences…. Aisha Daghem – Solicitor at Douglas Jones Mercer

The entrepreneur you most admire
I tend to admire and be inspired by people I come into contact with in business, as I feel I can relate to them more easily than well-known entrepreneurs. One of my first bosses very early on in my career was a true inspiration to me. He had started in business as a school leaver without any particularly good grades, worked really hard and ended up leading a management buyout. Needless to say, the company went on to great things and was a leader in its field. What he taught me was that in all aspects of life and business you get out what you put in. He was not an academic but a really hard worker, who was a great believer in keeping businesses simple and using common sense – an approach I continue to use today.

Your favourite film
That’s an easy one, The Usual Suspects. It’s an excellent film, and every time I watch it, something new catches my eye, such as a different camera angle or viewpoint, or implied meaning. Kevin Spacey once commented that you can watch the same play many times from different seats and each time you get an entirely different experience. I apply this thought process to business, so spend time in as many departments as I can, to get different viewpoints.

Your favourite music/band
I have a diverse taste in music, depending on my mood. Currently, I am listening to Eminem’s ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’ and Pink’s ‘Try This’.

Your favourite TV Show
Top Gear – it’s good family viewing and has the benefit of a splattering of nerdy car stuff thrown in too.

Theatre
I am not really a theatre goer, the last performance I went to see was at Saddlers Wells Dance theatre but that was to see my daughter.

Your favourite book(s)
I have two books that really changed the way I look at things – ‘Dice Man’ by George Cockcroft and ‘The Leaky Funnel’ by Hugh McFarlane.

A person you admire
On a personal level, my wife, without whom I wouldn’t have been able to achieve half the things I have achieved in my life so far. On a business level, I admire the Apple Company and brand. Who would have thought less than 12 years ago that pretty much everyone would have a personal digital jukebox, or need one? Apple made everyone want one whether they needed it or not.

One piece of advice you would give to a new start-up
Once you have identified the business area in which you would like to compete, put yourself in your customers’ shoes. Not all customers are the same, but most will go through a familiar buying pattern. Talking to your customers is critically important whether on email, over the phone or face to face. If you are not communicating with them then your competitors are. I was once told that ‘not everyone wants to get married on the first date’ – it’s a good attitude to adopt when marketing to your clients. Some clients buy quickly, others need more time to consider their options and be convinced. Ignore your existing leads database at your peril.

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My influences: Marc Morley-Freer

1. Entrepreneur you admire:
Jamie Olivier. Having been a working single mum to two young girls, travelling and commuting in and out of London, it was rare that I had the time to cook “properly”. My eldest daughter bought me the first Jamie book (I think she was trying to tell me something!) and as a result, I found his down to earth approach to cooking and the simplicity of the recipes fun and found them far from being a chore.

I have all his books and I believe his drive to make School Meals much healthier is admirable and with his vibrant energy he is slowly changing the way younger families and young parents approach cooking for the family. I also believe that in recession hit times – and since the world has become so “time short” – his 30 minute cost effective menus are a great incentive for families to sit around the table, get off the sofa and talk! Unfortunately the art of sitting down as a family and sharing the days stories has dwindled, bring back dinner around the table!

2. Favourite film
The Quiet Man. The charisma of the Irish, the music, the scenery, the love story, the rain, the white shirt, and the wind is all amazing! I’ve watched it dozens of times and each time it feels like the first. I’ve been to Cong where it was filmed and bought a packet of sweets from what was “Pat Cohan’s” bar! I’m a total romantic, but loved the film for its humour and innocence.

3. Music/Band
Puccini’s Madame Butterfly. As a family, we loved music and played all sorts from the old songs of John McCormack to Frank Sinatra to the Bee Gees. I grew up with opera, jazz, swing, traditional music blazing through the house. However, the Humming Chorus from Madame Butterfly still gives me goose bumps and I cry every time I see it. My favourite band is Meatloaf. As a broken hearted thirteen year old, Two out of Three ain’t Bad takes me right back to that time and the pain whereby Paradise by the Dash Board Light has been sung with wooden spoons around the Kitchen Island with babies in nappies on tow (probably not appropriate)!

4. Favourite TV Show
Period Drama. I will stop everything to sit and watch period dramas from The House of Elliott to Poldark to today’s Downton Abbey. The costumes, manner and beautiful scenery of these stories take you back in time where you can memorise the old values and behaviours of such eras.

5. Theatre
Les Miserables. I’ve been to see Les Mis four times. It’s a bit like Marmite, you either love it or hate it! I can’t get enough of it, the excitement of the music, belief in the cause and the absolute pain and serenity of the love story. Other shows I enjoy include Chicago, Top Hat and Mama Mia. I aim to see shows and plays that make you say on the way home, “that was amazing”.

6. Holiday destination
Lisfannon, Co Donegal. One of my happiest moments as a child was swimming in Lough Swilly, Co Donegal with my two brothers in the pouring rain. We were absolutely frozen, but we felt nothing but happiness. The freedom of a childhood where you could stay out til dark, sleep in a cosy caravan (slept five, there were seven of us!), watch the characters of the various families around you and enjoy the different personalities for eight weeks of holiday and freedom. I intend to buy a small white cottage in Donegal, just like Mary Kate! I travel home to Derry regularly and we always make sure we walk the long beach wrapped up warm and enjoy the sea and the air. The air is so good – a real tonic – if only it could be bottled.

7. Book
Birdsong; Sebastian Faulks I’ve read what feels like zillions of books, but Birdsong which I’ve read twice touches me so much very much for those heros of World War I. My major learning from the book was how the Welsh miners played such an important role in this cruel harsh War. The love story of Stephen and Isabelle intertwined with the raw human fear of death and the tantalising excitement of love.

8. A person you admire
My mother. A true survivor. Married her first love and was ecstatic. However, as a result of the troubles in Northern Ireland, the family business was lost and so was our home. A young mother at 26 with five children all under the age of six. She lost her youngest son at 21 in a fatal accident in Donegal, her first love who never recovered from his death died six years later and then her oldest son at 39 died through a heart attack. How does one survive such pain?, My mother did and does. She is an inspiration and a wonderful role model for me and my children. Keep it up Mum, you are amazing and I’m so proud of you!

9. One piece of advice you would give to a new start up.

Be prepared to work very hard. There are so many things to think about. For example, if you have come from a background where do your job, get paid regularly and then go home, running your own company is a huge shock. There are so many things to think about from employee insurance, public liability, PAYE, VAT, supplier relationships and transportation but to name a few.

It’s vital you manage your budgeting, costings and research your market and competitors. One of the biggest failings of any new start up is cash flow, be prepared for those rainy days – expect the unexpected.

However, the feeling of being the decision maker and having the power to bring on change when needed is exhilarating. Tenacity is vital, it will take time, there will be pain and sleepless nights, but DON’T give up!

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My influences: Jane Buckley

Entrepreneur you admire

Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart. That may seem a surprising answer coming from a tech entrepreneur, but he is the best example of someone with a simple, yet brilliant, vision that he executed to perfection. He achieved success the old fashioned way; with persistence, grit and the under-rated attribute, common sense. There were doubters, who couldn’t see how opening stores in small towns could eventually turn into an empire. The results speak for themselves. Sam Walton amassed more wealth than any other individual in our century.

Book

The Count of Monte Cristo. No other novel blends so perfectly some of life’s most fundamental emotions and topics; love, hatred, jealousy, vengeance, knowledge, and history. Alexandre Dumas weaves a story that gives them new meaning and dimension.

Favourite Film

Ike: Countdown to D-Day. It is an amazing account of the moments leading up to the invasion of Normandy. Aside from being a great historical movie, the reason I regard this film so highly is because it provides an unforgettable lesson on what it takes to be a great leader. One personality taking the weight of the world on his shoulders, and pulling off an act of such monumental dimensions to save the day, in a series of events that shows what great leaders are made of.

Favourite Music/Band

My favourite artist is Herman Brood. His version of ‘My Way’ is unbeatable.

Favourite TV show

Dragons’ Den. The elevator pitches and subsequent backing by the Dragons is a subject close to my heart. This is followed by a very close runner up, the News at 10!

Theatre

I prefer stand up comedy to plays and musicals. I’m a big fan of going to watch live comedians of any kind.

Holiday Destination

Nothing beats a safari in Africa for me. Holiday perfection.

A person you admire

My father. He is one of the few people I know who has suffered his fair share of highs and lows but has managed to succeed through hard work and dedication. It hasn’t been an easy journey, but he’s still kept his integrity, honour and humility through it all. I have learnt so much from him, things that you can teach in a classroom or reading from any book.

Advice for a new startup

It’s important to have a thick skin and fight for everything. If you believe in your business then don’t be disheartened if others don’t. However, don’t be blinkered if something isn’t working.

Be willing to listen to advice and be agile enough to change direction if it makes sense. It doesn’t mean you have to start from scratch, but sometimes you might have to try a few different paths before you discover the right one. Learning from your mistakes and accepting when something isn’t working are vital components of being a successful entrepreneur. And when you do find the right path, then go all in!

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My Influences: Xenios Thrasyvoulou

Entrepreneur
Well I guess it has to be my parents. My mum started on a Saturday market stall & they ended up working together growing the business to four shops & a factory. They sold the business & took early retirement. I think I have passion, but I’m not sure I’d have stood in the depths of winter on an outdoor market stall.

Favourite Book
The book that has had the most impact is ‘A Traveller on Horseback’ by Christina Dodwell, which I read as young girl (& still have that well-worn book). Very inspiring & made me realise that anything was possible if you were passionate enough. I practically inhaled any travel book after that (Eric Newby, Robin Hanbuy-Tenison, Redmond O’Hanlon) & have travelled extensively to some pretty remote places. As a teenager I fell in love with Ranulph Fiennes & Mark Shand (still heroes of mine to this day). I’ve been privileged to have met both of them; became totally tongue-tied, which is rather annoying.

Music/Band
Mark & I recently married & the song that I walked down the aisle too was ‘Song To The Siren’ sung by the Cocteau Twins’ Elizabeth Fraser. Very haunting & makes me go goose-bumpy every time I hear it. It’s a rather morbid song & not what you’d expect to hear at a wedding, which is perfect.

Fave Film
Elf. I thought it was the most stupid film when I was first made to watch it by our kids. But now it’s become a family Christmas tradition & I can’t think of any other film that I’d watch annually that gets me in the Christmas mood. I now look forward to the Sunday afternoon snuggled up on the sofa with our three kids & being entertained by Will Ferrell. We all go ‘ewwww’ at the bit where he picks pre-chewed gum off of railings & shoves them into his mouth or pours maple syrup over his spaghetti.

TV Show
The Sopranos. I’ve just finished watching the entire box set & feel slightly bereft they will no longer be part of my life. I don’t really watch TV, although if Dragon’s Den was on every night that would please me. I get bored very quickly & can’t abide presenters filling you in time-after-time with what you’ve just seen before the advert break. I hate adverts. So I’m much happier to wait until a series has ended & I’ve read all the reviews & get the box-set.

Advice
Use social media to shout about your business. It’s free & dead easy to use. We launched Coulson Macleod without any investment whatsoever, we had no money to spend on marketing & yet, just three years later, now sell to customers & have stockists around the world. I don’t have any marketing qualifications, so if I can do it, so can you.”

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My Influences: Hannah Macleod

Entrepreneur 

Bono, In 1980’s Ireland he was an inspiration to a generation that saw emigration as the only solution. He demonstrated the merits of creativity, tenacity, longevity, hard graft and honesty and, despite his massive success, he continues to do that. Even better you can bump into him in his local pub and he’s just mucking in with the rest.

Book 

‘The God of Small Things’, Arundhati Roy – A beautiful , evocative book with some strong life lessons. It shows that things are not always as they seem. Ask questions, seek the truth and always be accountable for your actions because once you start the ball rolling you may not like where it stops. I also loved Robin Sharma’s , ‘The Monk who sold his Ferrari’. A great book to keep perspective in life and question what we are striving for. I always say ‘ Be careful what you wish for’.

Music

Queen – Freddie Mercury. The music is so motivational. Nothing wells me up like ‘ We are the Champions’ at the appropriate time! And of course getting through Bohemian Rhapsody after a few beers is always a sense of achievement.
Film – The Way We Were – Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford. Such a great love story and reality check. I remember the shock at the end when they didn’t end up together, and realising that life offers some tough choices but you have to get off the fence and fight for what you believe.

Tv

Sesame Street – As a kid it brought America to rural Ireland. In contrast to some of the parochial kids programmes we were subjected too it seemed so glamorous. Grover demonstrating the difference between ‘Near’ and ‘Far’ was the highlight for me. Nowadays I love the Good Wife and The Newsroom.

Theatre 

Wexford Opera Festival – Wexford Opera Festival started in a tiny town of 14,000 people back in the 1950s. It grew over 20 years to become one of the most renowned Opera Festivals in the world, and continues to be so to this day. It involved much of the local community, as volunteers in all aspects of the organisation, and integrated local volunteers with international professionals seamlessly. It was the highlight of the year for many of us and gave us great reason to hold our heads high. As kids we saw that just because you are small and insignificant now doesn’t mean you can’t become a renowned global player someday.
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Holiday

12 months backpacking around the world on a shoe-string in 1999. We chartered a yacht in New Zealand to sail around the Bay of Islands for a week planning to drop in to the Millennium New Years Party on the Island of Urupukapuka. On the day unfavourable winds meant we couldn’t land on the island and so we celebrated the biggest New Year of our lives sitting at anchor in a storm, eating left over sausages, and waiting for Y2K to sink us! New Year’s Day brought beautiful sunshine and lots of fresh fish though. The best laid plans………….

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My influences: Chris Nolan

Entrepreneur you admire

  Jeff Bezos who started Amazon from his garage in 1994 and turned it into a multi-billion dollar company, contrary to everyone tellinghim that his idea was never going to work. He showed how important it is to follow your gut instinct, regardlessof what other people say.

Book

I am currently reading Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. I am a huge fan of Apple products and I love how Jobs was able to take devices that existed before and completely revolutionise them.

Favourite film

Oceans 11. Two hours of thrilling action sequences, plenty of gadgets, a top cast, humour and a very clever plot.

Favourite TV show

Dragon’s Den is simply great television. I’m always fascinated to see how entrepreneurs defend their business ideas under pressure.

Theatre

I just saw Rock Of Ages in the West End and it was brilliant. I highly recommend it.

Holiday destination

 Ibiza! Sun, beach and cocktails. Need I say more?

A person you admire

Warren Buffet. His letters to his shareholders really show what an amazing businessman he is.

Advice for a new start up

Build a great team. There are lots of ups and downs when building a business and it is the quality of the team that will be responsible for navigating your company through the difficult times.

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My Influences: Ivailo Jordanov

Entrepreneur

So many to choose from but I would probably pick Sir Martin Sorrell, founder and CEO of WPP Group, above all. He pulled off an exceptional transformation, taking a controlling stake of the British wire shopping basket manufacturer Wire and Plastic Products for under £700,000 in 1985, and turning it into one of the world’s leading communications services and advertising companies, with a market value of almost £14billion today.

Book

I would recommend The Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto. Written by a former McKinsey consultant, this book teaches people how to get their point across in a clear and structured way. It’s particularly good for anyone who struggles to articulate their thoughts, in writing or verbally. It helped me when I needed to draft sales pitches to time-poor CEOs, who needed to understand what I was proposing with just a fleeting glance at their BlackBerry.

Music/Band

At the moment, I keep going back to Fleetwood Mac’s album Rumours. There is an interesting dynamic on this album between the bandmates, who were all going through emotionally turbulent times and were barely on speaking terms.

Favourite film

There Will Be Blood, for Daniel Day Lewis’ remarkable performance as a man consumed by greed.

Favourite TV show

The Sopranos, by a country mile. The writing and acting is so good that each episode is like watching a standalone film.

Holiday destination

I just came back from my honeymoon in California and it was terrific. Fabulous weather, an economy the size of Germany, and stunning views.

A person you admire

Julius Caesar, as one of the most successful human beings of all time. He changed the entire course of history by ending the Roman Republic, created one of the greatest armies known to man, and still found time to improve grammar in the Latin language. Caesar also used leadership techniques which managers can still learn from today.

One piece of advice you would give to a new start up

Sell. The most important thing for any business in the long term is to achieve revenues by selling. But you also need to sell yourself, constantly. I think plenty of entrepreneurs forget they need to market themselves just as well as they market their own businesses, because people have to trust the products or services you are offering.

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My influences: Adam Riccoboni

The lightbulb moment for his business came from Rupert’s own experiences of flat hunting in London when he first moved to the capital in 1999 to be in a rock band, and had a tough time finding somewhere to live. SpareRoom now has almost three million registered users and has recently launched in New York.

Entrepreneur you admire

My father. He’s a fantastic salesman, a clever, unconventional marketer, and has, of course, been a massive influence on me. His farm shop in Cheshire was so successful in the 70s that people would queue in their cars up the road. He once turned away a regular order from Buckingham Palace (and the royal warrant that came with it) because it just seemed too much hassle when he was so busy.

I remember in my early 20s him giving me a pep talk over the phone, while I was in my first flat in London. He ended with the warning that if you’re not rich by 25, you’ll never be rich. I’d never thought about whether I wanted to be rich or not, but standing there in that crummy flat on the noisy approach to the Blackwall Tunnel, with not enough money to pay the rent, I decided I didn’t want to be poor. He was wrong, but I’m glad he said it.

Favourite film

Titanic. It’s a film people love to hate and I don’t understand why. I’m a sucker for a love story, but mostly I’m fascinated by the Titanic story. It’s a modern day real life parable on so many levels. One hundred years later we still see this ‘too big to fail’ attitude which, since 2007, we’ve been reminded is never the case.

Music/Band

From the age of 14 to 16 I loved the music of Nick Drake and it had a lasting influence on me, especially as a musician. So much so, years later I wrote my dissertation on him for my music degree and one of my first websites was nickdrake.com (which desperately needs updating!). Weirdly, even though it’s a long time since I really listened to them, I still think of the music I was into then (such as the Velvet Underground, Violent Femmes, Frank Zappa, The Stooges, Bowie, and Camper Van Beethoven) as my ‘favourite bands’ . I think because nothing since has come close to blowing me away the way they did then, at that age.

Favourite TV Show

I’ve always worked long hours, often 7 days a week. I think it’s unavoidable if you want to succeed in anything – and if you’re passionate about what you do, why would you mind? My working day begins at 6am or sometimes earlier. Historically my wife Angie would put her foot down at 7.30pm – I had to spend some time with her, which meant watching EastEnders for starters. Since then it’s become the watershed moment where my working day ends and I unwind. For what it is it’s quality television, though for me it’s almost more ritual than entertainment. I still couldn’t tell you half the characters’ names!

Theatre

The play I was most affected by was a production of Equus I saw when I was at school. If I’m honest though I struggle a bit with the theatre. I think it was Stephen Fry who said he’d rather watch a bad film than a mediocre play and I agree. It doesn’t help that I’m 6′ 3″ so the small seats and lack of legroom often make it an uncomfortable experience. I’m far more likely to go to watch stand up comedy than a play.

Holiday destination

Chamonix in the French Alps. I absolutely love it there. I usually go snowboarding in the winter but recently discovered how nice it is in the summer for walking. The dramatic scenery, mountain air and physical exercise are the perfect antidote to hours in a stuffy office. Unlike many of the ski destinations that are purpose built ‘resorts’, Chamomix is a proper old town with so much on offer. There’s even an Indian restaurant!

Book

There are few things as pleasurable as an all-consuming book, yet I could count the fiction I’ve read on my fingers. The trouble is partly that I don’t have the time but also that running a business leaves you very little headspace for other things and fiction is one of the casualties of this. The last novel I read – The Magus by John Fowles – was wonderful.

I read a lot of business books, my favourite being The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding by Al Ries, which, although it’s 20 years old, is just as relevant today as it was when it was first published. It’s guided many of the decisions I’ve made about SpareRoom over the years.

A person you admire

Ricky Gervais. He was my second choice of entrepreneur – which might sound odd, but in my view that’s what he is. I’m a huge fan of the podcasts, which began life free and became the world’s most downloaded podcasts. He then made the clever but risky move of changing to a paid audiobook format, which, as far as I know, were self published. The critical and financial success of the podcasts alone would be an impressive career, but when you consider The Office and everything else he’s done, it’s extraordinary. Whenever I think about it it gives me a kick up the arse.

One piece of advice you would give to a new start up

Avoid outside investment unless it’s absolutely necessary, and for web based businesses this is rare. Instead bootstrap your way to success, and retain complete ownership of what you’ve created. In the early days of the web there was much talk of it democratising business, yet this sentiment seems to have been lost and so many put this imaginary financial barrier in their way. You don’t need a big team of people or fancy office space and you don’t need a big marketing budget. Learn how to do everything yourself in the early stages and be clever about your marketing. There’s so much you can do for free, and the experience should prepare you for spending more wisely when you do start paying for your marketing. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that investment when you don’t really need it could impede you because it can make you lazy and wasteful. I’ve never had investment.

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My influences: Rupert Hunt

Paullette is a single mother of two with an MBA. She loves travelling, culture, reading and gardening. In business she enjoys public speaking and finding ways to make sure Fabulous Women achieves its aims.

Fabulous Women came about as she noticed women need encouragement, acceptance and acknowledgement more than policy and help. She also noticed women in business need to be more than their businesses.

Women generally wear a multitude of hats, their business (or career) is only one and there is a need to celebrate women in positive, supportive ways.

Most of all she is enjoying working with the Fabulous Women Ambassadors (leaders of the groups) to make a real difference in the world. In this Paullette says “Fabulous Women is not about me, it’s about the fabulous women who make a difference to our world every day. We should celebrate that.”

Entrepreneur I admire
I admire any entrepreneur. Each one has bravely (or sometimes reluctantly) given something up to follow a dream – that is very admirable. I do admire the tenacity and honesty of Lord Sugar and Hilary Devey.

Fave or current book i’m reading.
I’m unusually reading at least three books at any given time. Currently reading “Beating around the Bush” written by a community member, “Ice Cream made Easy” because we have a new ice cream machine and “The Leader who Had no Title” because I loved “The Monk who sold his Ferrari” so much. Fav book of all time is between “The Shell Seekers” and “Gone with the Wind”.

Favourite Holiday destination
I love travelling it is really hard to decide. One of the best holidays I’ve had was taking my kids on a backpacking trip to Turkey. We had so many adventures and my kids just loved the whole concept of travelling independently. I also enjoyed Jordan and Slovenia this year, and Croatia from last year. Egypt was amazing too. The UK is fantastic to travel about it. A very hard question to answer.

Favourite band / music
Kasabian. Love their music and was gutted to miss them at Reading Festival this year. In general I enjoy most music especially at festivals where you can stumble across something you may now have heard otherwise. That’s how I came to love “Friendly Fires”. “Talking Heads” always have me singling along and I have a real soft spot for disco.

Favourite Film
Another hard one. It has to be ” Shawshank Redemption”, “Up” or “On Golden Pond” (a real classic and just superb).

A person I admire
My mum. She has great spirit and is so very wise, patient and is the best role model I could ever ask for. She bounces back from even the most gruelling situations.

A piece of advice they would give to a new start up Remember people don’t care one bit about what you do, they only care about what you can do for them. Successful business are those who have learnt this key lesson.

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My Influences: Paullette Schwartz, founder of Fabulous Women

JBW believes that the Government and small business have the right to be paid what they are owed. JBW provide a debt recovery solution based upon supporting early compliance, ethical practices and care for those that can’t pay, rather than those that won’t.

JBW has a revenue of £14 million and employees over 130 people throughout the UK.

Entrepreneur I admire:
Michael O’Leary of Ryanair – he tells the truth rather than hides behind false sales lines. The public don’t like him because they are to used to being lied to. If more businesses told the truth, more business leaders would be disliked. I follow in Michael’s footsteps. Honest is the best policy.

Fave or current book I’m reading:
One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard – as let’s face it, growing a business is tough and time is precious. If you want to work in a fast growing environment then you need to stop wasting my time.

Favourite Holiday destination:
Sailing in any ocean or climbing in the Himalayas

Favourite band / music:
Killers….. Love feel good, fast paced music that you can go wild too.

Favourite Film:
Jerry Maguire, a business film that proves that hard work and determination will always work.

A person I admire:
My elder brother, Tony. His success is being the best family man and Dad in the world. He has children of his own, fosters children and has adopted too. Takes a special person to give so much to others.

A piece of advice I would give to a new start up:
Work hard, play hard and always believe that you will succeed

Read more:
My influences: Jamie Waller, CEO, JBW Group

Entrepreneur
It’s got to be Richard Branson. I have a lot of admiration for the brand he built and the way he leveraged the success of Virgin companies at every stage to build a bigger business. Since working with Penni Pike, his personal assistant of 32 years, I’ve had a valuable insight into the Virgin culture that helped us design The Beyond Card.

Book
Right now I’m reading Idea Man by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, which is a great lesson for entrepreneurs. Paul worked alongside Bill Gates for many years, with modest success, before Microsoft really grew and scaled into the company we see today. It can be all too easy to assume that you’ve failed if your business isn’t massive within a couple of years of launch.

Music/Band
I couldn’t live without music and my taste is pretty eclectic. My playlist of the hour includes Redlight, Bon Iver, Ben Howard, Ed Sheeran, The Isley Brothers and Pink Floyd.

Favourite film
I don’t think I could pick a favourite, but these are all top of the list: Wall Street, Life And Death Of Peter Sellers, Forrest Gump and The Talented Mr Ripley.

Favourite TV show
I like TV shows I can learn from, and recently I’ve loved the renaissance in business programmes. Dragons’ Den, Undercover Boss and The Hotel Inspectorare great.

Holiday destination
For inspiration nothing beats sipping Champagne overlooking the harbour at night in Hong Kong. For fantastic hospitality Dubai is great and for utter relaxation a little resort called Ti Kaye on St Lucia is my favourite.

A person you admire
My dad, for the strength and perseverance he has shown since we lost my mum almost two years ago.

Advice for a new start up
Don’t assume you have to borrow lots of money to get off the ground. There is much more to business than investors and funding rounds. If you have the right service, work hard and save money where you can it is possible to make a success without it costing a fortune. I see plenty of start-ups focused on where the next round of money is coming from, instead of their product or passion.

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My Influences: Barnaby Lashbrooke, founder of The Beyond Card

The Blyth-based firm arrange and give advice on all aspects of general insurance from travel, car and home insurance to corporate insurance and everything in between.

This year Weir Insurance is marking its 40th year in business with expansion across Northumberland and a recruitment and apprenticeship drive throughout the firm, in a bid to get more young people into the industry.

An entrepreneur you admire
Fiona Crozier (Cruikshank). She never let the ‘real Fiona’ escape out of the culture of her business, despite its enormous success. Fiona’s guiding inspiration, which lives with me to this day, is that whatever decisions I make I always ask myself, “is this the right thing to do for the business?” This has helped with some very tough choices over the years.

Favourite or current book you are reading
“The-hundred-year-old man who climbed out of the window and disappeared”, on my (trusty old) iPad(1) – a friend recommended it and now I can’t put it down.

Favourite holiday destination
Anywhere in Italy – my husband and I got married in Florence and they are just so stylish over there. They also love kids which is a bonus as we have three!

Favourite band or music
My daughters are obsessed with One Direction, and I think I am a bit of a secret fan too. Amelia Lilly was excellent live in Milan last month – I think I am re-living my youth!

Favourite film

Will always be Monsters Inc. It’s a real family favourite in our household and I never get tired of the jokes, I think it must be a hoot to work at Pixar.

A piece of advice they would give to a new start up
Always look after the detail – it’s the least sexy part of running a business, but it really can finish a business before it starts… Oh and make sure you have the right insurance! Our country is so litigious now that you really must have liability insurance to protect yourself.

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My Influences: Karen Weir, MD of Weir Insurance