How I - Support from the family

Sep 1 2008 by Karen Dent, The Journal

HOW I ... is a column in conjunction with the Entrepreneurs’ Forum that looks at the gems of advice shared by our top entrepreneurs on dealing with issues in their daily lives.

Each column explores three different takes on a different issue.

Angela Brown, of South Tyneside firm Training in Childcare

“I get my support from my family; my husband and my two girls. My husband has never said don’t do it. He understood that if I felt I could, then I probably would, so I’ve been very fortunate there. My girls think the business is great; they’re always asking me when I get home. ‘where’ve you been today, who’ve you been talking to this week?’ They think it’s quite cool that I own a business!”

Chris Quickfall, Whickham technological support company Invate

“In the beginning, I think I spent too much time working. My girlfriend wasn’t happy and I didn’t spend enough time just having fun. But that’s getting a lot better now. We’ve reassessed the staff situation, making sure that everyone gets some fun, and now my work/life balance is really good. I try not to work weekends.”

Ann Oliver, of Corrective Tattooing

“As a single mum, it’s been hard to maintain a business-like persona when I’ve got a son at home who I want to be there for. My latest position was freelance, sourcing extreme events and terrorism trained engineers for a worldwide organisation. It did earn me some money but it took me away from my child. I was expected to fly to the other side of the world at the drop of a hat. It was a sort of test of my commitment to the firm versus my commitment to being a mum. Of course, my son won every time.

“The amount of times I’ve thought about going for a ‘nice little part time number’ just so I can have dinner with my son, but in the front of my mind, I’ve always known I’m capable. Single mums generally are, they just don’t realise it.”