On Great Guns Marketing...
We’re an outbound, business-to-business lead generation company, which means we makes sales appointments, book delegates into seminars, build databases, client engagement... that kind of activity.
On the secret of her success...
Predominantly I would say the talent within the business. The team of people we have here, both the leadership team and the telemarketers, who deliver projects for our clients, which makes a massive difference.
For all entrepreneurs, we really covet a good team, and understanding who in our team has potential to go from good to great, and working out how you take that person from where they are to realising their full potential. So we work hard at that kind of stuff and it really does pay off.
The volunteers I met on The Secret Millionaire really inspired me, people who are really trying to change the community they live in for people worse off than themselves and doing it for no money, voluntarily
On why neither starting a business nor losing her eyesight fazed her....
Starting a business for me is challenging of course, but incredibly exciting as well, so it wasn’t this huge pressure that people talk about. I was 25 and I didn’t have a four bedroom house with a Land Rover Discovery in the drive and 15 children to support.
I didn’t own anything, so I had nothing to lose, which makes you very free to take risks. Starting a business wasn’t this big burden that everyone talks about; it was exciting and fun.
On losing my sight: I have a very strong faith, I’m a Christian, and I just felt that I was upheld by God throughout the process. I didn’t find it difficult – I never have found it difficult.
It’s just been something I’ve been able to work around to run my life and my business in the way that I need to. I don’t think it made any difference really.
On spending time among volunteer workers for Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire...
I found it really fun, I loved it. I got the opportunity to meet people that I perhaps wouldn’t normally get the opportunity to meet in my everyday life.
They really inspired me, people who are really trying to change the community they live in for people worse off than themselves and doing it for no money, voluntarily, and the fact that they get such a kick out of it. Of course it’s inspiring; I don’t think anyone can be around the voluntary sector and not feel moved – to action, and want to do something yourself.
You get out bed in the morning and think “What can I do to improve the world” and you have to start on your doorstep don’t you, with your neighbours and your friends.
I’m working with our local MP at the moment on something called Future Proofing Basingstoke, where we’re trying to change our environment and up the level of aspiration among our young people.
