THE BIG QUESTIONS
WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL TITLE?
Founder, Designer, Bra Fitter, Dogs Body! I work for myself so do it all.
WHAT DO YOU DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?
I juggle looking after my 2-year-old boy with making progress on launching my first nursing bra. It can be very difficult to feel like I have got anywhere during the day. I use his nap time to make any important phone calls, then the hard work begins at bed time.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD AND WHAT CHANGED?
I wanted to be a geologist! I do have a big interest in stones but never progressed as I am not very academic.
WHAT ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU HAVE?
I have a national certificate in Mechanical Engineering. This was the career I wanted to go into when I left school.
WHAT’S THE BEST CAREER ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
Do what makes me happy.
WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY?
Jo Tutchener-Sharp from Scamp and Dude is a great role model to me in the fashion world. She has started an incredible business after suffering with a brain haemorrhage. Her products are instantly recognisable but there is meaning behind her brand. Her slogan is “A superhero has my back”. The business also supports some super charities and causes.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT WORKING ENVIRONMENT?
It is completely flexible around family commitments meaning I get to spend most of my time with my little man.
WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR DAILY WORK ROUTINE IF YOU COULD?
I would ensure that each day (during office hours) I was able to work at least a couple of hours without disruption.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF PROFESSIONALLY IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME?
Having a business that has been franchised across the UK so women all over Britain can get the bra fitting service they deserve.
DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN BE THE SAME PERSON AT WORK AND IN PRIVATE?
I feel like I need to be a lot more confident and outgoing when I attend events for work. In a way, it’s easy because I talk about my area of expertise but I have to push myself to do things like networking or public speaking.
WHERE AND IN WHAT ROLES ARE WOMEN IN THE LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE AT YOUR COMPANY?
I am a lone ranger in my business but I do have a strong network of business women that help to keep me sane! These women are in all backgrounds of business.
DOES DIVERSITY MATTER TO YOU?
It is. I work with pregnant and breastfeeding women (mainly) and not only is it a time where everything changes so much and ladies can often lose confidence in themselves and their image. There is very little in the way of fashionable maternity or nursing wear and women available out there. Everything is very samey, spots or stripes and navy. It is the same for the lingerie and women just end up making do.
I want to create a range of different styles of lingerie to suit a “Diverse” range of women.
HOW GOOD IS YOUR WORK LIFE BALANCE?
At the moment, every spare second is consumed by the business. I know I don’t have a healthy balance. I hope when the business is up and running I can afford to put my little boy into nursery a little more so when we have family time I am focussed on that.
WHAT QUALITIES DOES BEING IN YOUR ROLE NECESSITATE?
Understanding and a good listener for the bra fitting aspect of the business. For the design and manufacturing side my engineering knowledge has come in handy as it has taught me about processes and I am able to think in a methodical yet creative way.
ANY FINAL COMMENTS?
I keep reminding myself that if it was easy everyone would be doing it!