As a child education played a limited role in Sharon Roberts life, today it is a vital part of her global development consultancy. This month Inspired talks to Sharon about her career journey, and learns about facing fear and challenging ideas.
How did your career start?
I grew up in a family where education was not important and left school with no qualifications. I started work in a factory, which proved a real wake up call. I met a lady named Pearl who had worked there for fifty years and was given a gold clock for long service. She really made me think, and I decided I wanted more from my career than waiting for the clock.
I summoned the courage to go back to school. At the time, adult education did not exist, so I completed my qualifications in class with the children. I went on to do an access course into High Education, and on finishing my studies gained a full time position with the Princes Trust.
When did you begin running your own business?
Probably at eleven! I was always an enterprising child, collecting bric-a-brac to sell outside the local factory and making pedal go-karts for children in our street.
As an adult, my business idea came while at the Princes Trust. There, I met people who liked my down to earth approach to training and development. I was often asked to help further but couldn?t under the remit of the project. I was encouraged by many to leave the Princes Trust and start my own business, but I opted to stay on and spent the next year and a half researching my idea for a training company and building contacts.
Who or what is an inspiration to you?
My son and my husband. I was a single mother by the age of twenty and I knew I wanted a better life for us. Having this motivation has kept me going and determined to succeed. Today, I also have my husband who is a constant source of encouragement and support.
What has been one of your biggest challenges and how have you overcome it?
Going global was a big step. I?d made the commitment in my business plan to go global by year ten, but the timing was right by year eight. I approached it head on, faced my fears, owned them, challenged them and got on with it, an approach I still use when something challenges me today.
What has given you the greatest reward in business?
My first overseas project was with the West Indies tourist board, helping develop local businesses. One man I met ran a small bar. He believed importing expensive drinks would entice tourists. I went to his house and his garden was full of mangos and bananas. He took some convincing, but I persuaded him to replace the imports with local smoothies. The tourists loved them and he was left with a more sustainable and profitable business.
What advice would you offer women just starting out in business?
Be clear why you?re going into business, think what you?re prepared to sacrifice, do your research and take advice from mentors with different skills. You can also list the six ways your business could fail. If you can identify them you can take action against them.
How do you encourage women in your business to develop?
We do all the standard levels of HR training you would expect but also lots of motivational and confidence building. Confidence plays a big role in success.
How are you contributing to Womens Ambassadors?
I am really passionate about Womens Ambassadors and supporting women into business. I promote Ambassadors everywhere I go; I am even talking about it in Beverley Hills this month. I give motivational speeches, host networking events and have an education unit working with schools to encourage everyone to be enterprising and imagine what they can do if they are not afraid to do it.Labels: Government Business Ambassador
