Frances Bourne

Jun 26 2007 by Evening Gazette

Partner, Recognition Marketing and Public Relations, Darlington.

What did you want to be when you were young?

A ballerina - I took lessons from the age of 10 and it became a bit of an obsession. I even changed my name to something with more of a Russian feel - Francesca Spekmaniskova! I was put forward for scholarships for London schools but as mum was a widow, it was too costly and out of the question. Also I grew too tall so that was that really and I had to have a change of plan.

How much was your first pay packet and what did you spend it on?

£4 a day at a newsagents in Walsall. Bus fare was £1, the rest funded my travelling bug.

What’s your dream job, other than your current one?

Communications director of La Scala in Milan -- I could fulfil my love of opera, ballet, Italy and work all in one.

What’s the best piece of business advice you have received?

From my boss Dott. Gioacchino del Balzo at Pirelli - consider a decision, make it and then stick with it.

He was a colourful character and it was put to me a bit more flamboyantly than that.

And the worst?

From a former boyfriend; ‘oh you never want to work for yourself’. I ditched the boyfriend and worked for myself - best thing I did on both counts.

What is your philosophy when it comes to business?

Take time to listen to others, never feel you are too old or wise to learn.

What are your hobbies?

Ballet, gardening, animals, metal detecting, walking, volcanology, archaeology, rallying, reading poetry.

What’s your top business or financial tip?

Don’t spend more than you earn - whatever the size of your business. It is a basic rule, but so often overlooked.

Does anything scare you and if so what?

Crane flies and the London Underground.

What would you choose as your epitaph?

”Always looked on the bright side of life”. Do they have whistling tombstones yet?