1) What are you currently doing with your life?

I have recently launched De Bouverie, a boutique jewellery company that makes independent designers more accessible. We promote handmade jewellery designers, as well as designing a small range ourselves. Sales are made both online through our website and offline through shows, galleries, pop up shops, wine tasting and jewellery evenings and other unique events. 

Generally I spend my days doing everything, including administration, social media, strategy, finance, sales, marketing, website development and even legal issues. Currently I am a one man show, so asides a helpful intern I have to do absolutely everything. Its a never ending circle, and on top of everything, the fashion world works at least 3 months ahead, so currently despite the mad christmas push, I spend half my time focussed on Valentines day and new designers for 2012!

My phone is permanently charging yet always out of battery, and I rarely arrive on time for social evenings. 

2) What did you do before this?

Previously I worked in Headhunting, aka recruitment. Most of my time was spent at Elements Executive Search doing Emerging Market Research (Although I started as a PA). I loved the job but only because of the people... and I knew it wasn't for me forever (mainly because I had already left once in 2008 to go to Lloyds of London, which certainly wasn't for me, so I left after 6 weeks and went to a music and arts centre only to return to Elements a month of so later, tail between my legs, asking for my job back...). 

I did enjoy it there, but it was only because it was a tiny company, and one big family. They also taught me everything that I have to work from now with regards to business, so it was invaluable. 

3) What was your moment of truth?

I had 2... 

Firstly, gardening leave. It gave me the time, space and financial security to pursue my ideas. However, I have had many a business dream, including newspapers, fashion houses and everything in between… so I didn’t know how serious this one was.

Then, months later, came my website designers (www.putitout.co.uk), a great bunch of guys who started to make my ideas a reality… Meetings became more serious and then suddenly I had an invoice on my desk … the moment I paid that invoice I knew that I couldn’t turn back. That this was it, and I was going to do everything I could to make it happen, if nothing else to make sure that I got that money back…

That first payment was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life to date, but the grit and determination that came afterwards was one of the most exhilarating. Sometimes you have to take a financial leap for things to start feeling like they are real…

4) How did you plan for it?

I didn’t. My focus was slightly more on relentless work and flexibility. The idea developed for a long time, and I just worked until something started forming. If I wasn’t sure what I should be working on I focused on something I thought needed to be done, or if I was tired something a bit easier…

A good example of this is when I was having a really bad day and not achieving anything. I was grumpy and had eaten the house out of chocolate. So I decided to focus on my strengths and do something fun… 5 hours later and I had my business cards, compliment slips, headed paper and brand guidelines all completed… I still use all of these today, and love them.

Its about just pushing through the hard days and working on things until you know that they are fool proof… Meticulous planning is vital, but there are always huge elements of the unknown and flexibility is essential for that. 

5) What have been the best and worst things about making this happen?

The worst bit – I’m not sure. The fact that I haven’t left my desk and my friends struggle to get me out the house isn’t great, and the serious lack of money… but its all too enjoyable for me to care about those sorts of things.

I guess the worst part is the lonliness. There are times when all you want is a boss to tell you what to do... but they're not there.For your bad days there's no one dragging you to the pub to commiserate, and for the good days there's no one to celebrate with until you've called a friend.

The best part is definitely that this is all mine. At the end of the day, however hard I try and persuade myself that I couldn’t possibly have done this, I really have, and its all me. That sense of achievement is a great driver… and the raw excitement about how to develop it going forward keeps me ticking through the slow days. I work 24 hours a day 7 days a week, but I wouldn't change it for the world.

6) What was the best advice you have received

If you ask a question, really listen to the answer. Always take on board people’s advice, whether you agree or not, and listen to them. Absorb as much information as you can, its priceless and its free. So many people ask questions, but rarely listen to the answers.

You can always start the business for less money than you think, so always push yourself as low as possible… it leaves you more for later! Looking back I could have cut my costs far more dramatically if I had understood more. So always be sure about where every penny is going. 

That and the fact that everyone you know will be useful to your business, in ways you might not be able to imagine. Never abuse them, but never forget they are just there… 

7) What resources or information have you found really helpful?

The most valuable resources that I have found are my friends. There is also someone who can help you out on almost everything if you are stuck. All my accountancy documents were created by a friend, my website is based around friends help and advice, and my current business model is derived from a 3 hour chat with my housemate. I wouldn't dream of designing a flyer or banner without consulting Tom, and I have the equivalent of a team of advisers and helpers made up of my friends and family. They are invaluable. 

Never underestimate your friends. They want to see you succeed and will always be keen to help.

For more formal resources: I love Business Link (http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/home) lots of people don’t like it but I’ve found it incredibly useful for everything from branding, trademarks and VAT, to Sales and Marketing, social media and Finances. 

Actual networking events such as the escape wednesdays are great for inspiration!