How did you get where you are today?

I got here via an interesting mix of working within the food, pharmaceutical and nutritional sectors for almost 20 years. Initially, I was in sales and marketing roles, then focused primarily on product and brand development.

What was the best decision you have made in your career and why? It was almost made for me. Four years ago, I listened to the chaps at our ingredients partner DKSH Great Britain when they suggested I develop a range of products myself rather than passing all my ideas on to clients. I sat down, thought about it and decided - why not?

Who do you most admire in the grocery industry? Innocent. They've shown real entrepreneurial flair and it's a fantastic brand.

Do you have a mentor and how have they helped you in your career? I've had terrific support and encouragement from many people over the years and I think that mentoring comes in a variety of styles. My harshest critic - and he knows who he is - has also been my staunchest supporter and he's been invaluable in the past three years while we've been establishing the business.

What is the most important piece of information you have ever been told? If you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? Creative freedom. We're working on three new products at the moment so I'm buzzing with ideas; creating new flavours, images and graphics and talking with consumers.

What is the one thing that you could not do your job without? My husband. He must be a saint, or so everyone keeps telling me!

If you could start your career again, what would you do differently and why? I'm happy with the choices I've made so far, although I'm not awfully good at the 'work-life balance'. If I enjoy what I'm doing I tend to allow it to consume me, and expect everyone in the vicinity to feel similarly!

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry today? Be open to the opportunities that will, if you work hard and are also enthusiastic, inevitably come your way.

What do you like doing when you are not working? We're a young business so right now I'm always working, thinking about work or sleeping and dreaming about it...

Where do you hope to be in five years' time? Not surprisingly, I'm ambitious for the business to be extremely well established by then. And I hope that everyone reading this section and wondering who on earth I am will be drinking our waters on a daily basis!

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