Secret

Entrepreneurship is all about having the right product or service and then getting it to market. That often involves taking big risks and drawing deeply on your personal strengths. It also involves getting the right people around you and setting the… read more

Secret

If I’ve learned one lesson in life, it’s to be decisive. You can’t expect every one of your decisions to be right. If it’s wrong it’s wrong but people won’t respect you if you can’t make a decision.… read more

Secret

You need to do some preparation when you go out to talk to people. I never go into a meeting without reading everything that can be read about that business. And in terms of networking, it’s not about tapping people on the shoulder and asking if they… read more

Secret

I’m the eternal optimist of the business. My job is to say this business is capable, and then just go for it. You’ve got to keep everybody thinking they can- that ‘can do’ attitude needs to be there. Don’t think that things are impossible. If you… read more

Secret

When I was setting up – a very long time ago - I went to my bank manager. I didn’t borrow any money, I just needed him to be a banker. He was so worried though, about me being a young woman trying to set up a business, that I was never off the phone… read more

Pearl Of Wisdom

I don’t think I was particularly ambitious when I started the company. Like everything else, it snowballs. Suddenly there’s an opportunity, you can’t resist it, so you go for it.… read more

Pearl Of Wisdom

Make sure that what you’ve got is viable as a proposition. Look at it and take a view on it. Expect to be knocked down, but if you’ve got something that you believe in, go for it.… read more

Pearl Of Wisdom

Business isn’t rocket science, but you have to be a bit fearless. When you first start out, just being able to get enough income to pay the salaries, pay the mortgage, to keep your head above water: it’s frightening stuff. You’ve got no one to rely on… read more

Pearl Of Wisdom

You don’t need to know everything about running a business to start one. There’s lots of people out there to help you, you just have to ask – or pay for it… read more

Pearl Of Wisdom

There’s nothing wrong with keeping a business small. But it does limit success, and it also limits the economy. The North East needs people who are employing 50, 100,500, people, not three or four. The need of the region to be successful depends on its… read more

Pearl Of Wisdom

I don’t think business is difficult from an intellectual point of view. It’s grinding and tough at times, but if you’re prepared to work hard anyone can do it.… read more