THE BIG QUESTIONS
WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL TITLE?
Founder of Sheggs.com
WHAT DO YOU DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?
What I do varies from day to day but mostly entails administrative work. I send and respond to emails, contact sellers as required, ensure everything that is seen on our home page and product pages are perfect etc.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD AND WHAT CHANGED?
I always wanted to help humanity, which at the time translated as being in healthcare to take care of the sick. As I grew, I realised that working with sick people was only one of the ways and that there were so many other things I was passionate about and cared so much for. This is what led to the formation of sheggs.com. Our aim is to raise the profile of Women Owned Brands by creating a common marketplace where everything you shop is made or designed by a woman.
WHAT ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU HAVE?
Postgraduate Diploma from Oxford Brookes University
WHAT’S THE BEST CAREER ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
Enjoying the journey while you work towards the destination
WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY?
My grannie, I saw her live a selfless life, generous, kind and pouring herself into the younger generation. She carried such a strong voice. I can sincerely say I am what I am today because of her influence
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT WORKING ENVIRONMENT?
Because we are an online business, I am really not pinned to any one space; from the ever so spacious kitchen table to the library, I work on the go, literally!
WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR DAILY WORK ROUTINE IF YOU COULD?
I am enjoying what I am doing right now; contacting other women and knowing their own journeys to the businesses they have built really inspires me. I do appreciate that as we grow, more hands and brains will be needed to provide the excellent service that our business requires, however, in the meantime, I am enjoying everything I do
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF PROFESSIONALLY IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME?
I see sheggs.com grow to be hopefully a household name that is synonymous with Women; women creativity, women empowerment, women brands, women’s story, working women’s impact on society etc
DO YOU FEEL YOU CAN BE THE SAME PERSON AT WORK AND IN PRIVATE?
Starting sheggs.com has proven that yes, that’s possible. I really don’t have to be someone else to fit in
WHERE AND IN WHAT ROLES ARE WOMEN IN THE LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE AT YOUR COMPANY?
I am a one woman business owner with lots of support from my family! As sheggs.com grows, we look to bring on board as many capable hands and brains as possible and women will surely be on the list
DOES DIVERSITY MATTER TO YOU?
Absolutely, embracing each other’s differences is so significant in this age that unless you fully grasp this concept you may not fully reach your potential! The world is evolving and so must we; fluid in our thinking, celebrating that which others are but we are not. Bearing in mind that the world would not be where it is today if everybody thought like us, liked what we liked, went to places that we went to, looked like us etc – that would be pretty boring! There would be no place for adventure, creativity, resourcefulness, problem solving or innovation
HOW GOOD IS YOUR WORK LIFE BALANCE?
I want to believe I am doing well, however it has never been an easy balance to achieve – sometimes you have to get the work done now and take a break later!
WHAT QUALITIES DOES BEING IN YOUR ROLE NECESSITATE?
Commitment, focus, passion and patience. Listen to your inner self, do not follow the crowd, be genuine. Do not allow anybody to limit your potential or ability, they don’t deserve that power!