What was your first job and what did your responsibilities include?

My first job was as an assistant manager of a retail store and in the summer of that same year I started working for my father as his restaurant manager.

How much was in your first pay packet and what did you spend it on?

For my retail job I earned £16,000 and my dad did not pay me — it was more to help the family business out.

Describe how your career developed to the present day.

Wow, how long have you got? To cut a long story short I have worked in the media, events and public relations and marketing industry for more than 11 years now, including radio, TV, magazines and the chamber of commerce. Enterprise UK, and Song BMG are some of the companies, to name a few.

What are the key responsibilities in your position?

I do everything from planning, strategy, corporate communications, PR, project management, human resources, sales, and IT. Most of all I develop ideas and concepts that drive my clients’ businesses, as well as my own. Having launched the large-scale arts projects such as Talent Oxford and Talent Rocks Live regionally and nationally, I now spend time promoting youth arts in addition to my traditional marketing responsibilities.

Who/what have been the biggest influences on your career?

My father and mother have been the biggest influence to date, even though I have worked for Peter Jones, who is a Dragon’s Den panellist. Both my parents are successful entrepreneurs and I think it’s in my blood.

What has been your best decision?

To work for myself. As a mother it’s so important to be able to work around things such as doctor’s appointments, school plays and anything else that comes up when running a family.

And your worst?

I can’t really think of one because everything happens for a reason and eventually even the bad decisions work out.

What is the best advice you can give to someone starting out in your business?

Research your business idea and the sector you hope to go into. Make your ideas unique to what is already out there and protect your ideas, because there are people who can steal your dreams. Also, develop a business plan, as 90 per cent of running a successful business is based on planning and ten per cent is execution.

What is the secret of good management?

There is no secret — everybody has different management styles. I am firm and direct when I need to be, but I am also very friendly and caring, and like to get to know my staff outside of the working environment, which can help you understand people better.

Do you have a good work/life balance?

No I don’t — I am a bit of a workaholic. I work hard 11 months of the year and disappear for a month with family without a telephone or computer.

What hobbies/interests do you enjoy in your spare time?

I like to travel and pamper myself whenever possible by going to the spa. Most of all, whenever I do get spare time, which is rare, I spend it with my kids.

Is there anything in business that really irritates you?

I need to be able to work with reliable and trustworthy clients and individuals and, when I first started out, I was very trusting and perhaps should not have been under certain circumstances.

How do you see your company developing over the next five years?

We hope to be doing a lot of business internationally.

What has been your most satisfying moment?

I have had so many but I loved being nominated for International Business Woman of the Year at the Women’s Festival in 2006.

Do you believe there is enough help and support from government and agencies for growing businesses?

I believe there is, depending on the type of business you are, and it is always wise to save up and have a clear mind of what it is your business will do, and how much you need to set up. Business Link is generally a good starting point and The Prince’s Trust is also very supportive. But make sure you have ways of keeping your business sustainable without having to rely on the Government.

What is your attitude to the environment and do you have any green policies in place?

We try to use ethical printers when printing and all of my staff try as much as possible to cycle or walk to work.

What is the secret of a happy workforce?

To listen and give clear instructions to your staff, take everybody as an individual and have respect for one another. Praise each other when things go well, and show support when things have not gone so well.

Is there any other job you would like to have done and why?

I would have loved to go into film and become the next Spielberg!

What would you like to do when you retire?

Retire? Never! If I have to, I will go on holiday and write and direct my own short films.