Loving , Progressive , Determined

Female , 41

An original Essex girl, but now firmly rooted in South London I am a co-owner of three businesses. One is a socially responsible youth marketing agency, one is a not for profit youth engagement project and the third is a multi-platform tv production company. I couldn't see that University was for me so after a year's travelling i entered the world of work. It took me many years of work to find out just exactly what I enjoyed being good at. I'm also a mother to a three year old. I love art, music and laughing and feel that at the grand age of 35 i might just be mastering the art of balancing all the different things going on in my life.

Working Mother

I am a co-owner of three businesses and a mother of a three year old daughter. I love being a mum and I love being in business, sometimes the demands of both can be challenging, but i do think that they also benefit one another massively. I feel more confident and happy with life now than i ever have before and would be happy to share my experiences about working whilst being a mother.

University or not?

I couldn't wait to enter the world of work, earn my own money and find out what it was I wanted to do in life. It took quite a few years to work out what I wanted to do, from selling classified advertising space to washing cars to spending a year in Hong Kong where I blagged my way into a marketing agency and finally found out what it was that i was good at and enjoyed doing. Sometimes I regret not doing the Uni thing, and at times have felt disadvantaged not having a degree, but then i remind myself that what i have is some brilliant life and work experience, no student debt and i still got to enjoy lots of student life when visiting friends who did go to Uni.

Business Owner - social responsibilityBusiness Owner/Entrepreneur

I set up my business with my brilliant business partner in May 2001, it's a socially responsible youth marketing agency. We asked ourselves "can you use the power and budgets of brands to create positive messages and outcomes?". 5 years ago social responsibility was not a widely recognised term and so began a long journey trying to convince brands and companies that they need to behave more responsibly ... it has meant that over the years we've had to learn lots about business (sometimes the hard way), but determination and focus on our vision has meant that we now have a brilliant team of people looking after an amazing group of clients from both the public and private sector.

Lot's of my work revolves around mentoring - but until now, always in a more physical sense. I'm fascinated to see how new ways of communication and creating new communities are developing and i think that the idea of being able to mentor online is simply one of the most forward-thinking volunteering offerings i've ever come across.I would like to think that my experiences might help someone else.Bring it on!

Groups you have created.