'You have to give 110 per cent all the time...'

What gave you the idea for Active Profile?

It evolved from winning the business plan competition and after picking up with my Business Link advisor who told me my idea wouldn’t work in practice, I changed my plan and started a marketing agency. All our systems are online so a ‘virtual’ service so customers can log in and see what we’re are working on.

What was the first thing you did to try and make the idea happen?

We are purely a service business so I went out and got some clients, built some good case studies and networked a lot. I waited a year until I had all of the above – clients, case studies and contacts and then I went to the bank, used the small firms loan guarantee scheme and then Merseyside Special Investment Fund. This is all the finance I have raised so far. We tripled our turnover this year and next year we’re set to double this again.

Has anyone influenced you and if so who?

My father has his own business and other friends too, of varying ages and backgrounds. I worked for a business that grew from 1 to 20 people in 12 months when I was at Uni, and I learnt a lot about what not to do in business as much as what I should. A lot of what I do is I see as being common sense. I am certainly not a massive risk taker.

What obstacles did you encounter along the way?

I knew nothing about finance and accounts so employed a bookkeeper / management accountant, but made sure she trained me as she did the books. We now do our bookkeeping in-house and I employ the same individual to do other strategic work.

I knew nothing about the legal implications so I spoke to a lawyer who did my service level agreements and terms and conditions.

I quite often have to deal with situations where I am the only woman. Being quite young at 26 and blonde I sometimes don’t get taken seriously but it is a great feeling when people eat their words…I wouldn’t have it any other way!

What are your future plans?

Next 2 years: to grow to a team of approx 10 and start to build a management team.

10 years: to have at least three other successful business ventures.

Do you attend any networks? If so which ones and how have they helped you?

I am marketing director of another business www.lovemyidea.com that does exactly this. I joined BNI which helped my business in its second year. I attend a variety of local networking events. It helps generate business and contacts for my clients.

Have you or your business won any awards?

I won the University of Liverpool Business Plan Competition and this helped get me some local PR.

I was shortlisted in 2007 at The Northwest Director of the Year awards

Advice to anyone else who wants to make their idea happen?

Weigh up the consequences and your determination. You have to have the confidence to convince people you are going to succeed. It’s also about looking at the alternatives and where you see yourself. You have to give 110 per cent all the time and be very selfish at times in business and your personal life.