Aycliffe Today Business #11 | Page 33

Bringing Aycliffe Business Park Together | 33 13. 12. 13. 10. 14. 7. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. What do you do? Managing director at Lox of Love Ltd, a specialist hair extension studio on Aycliffe Business Park, though we have also introduced a full hairdressing service this month so that we offer a range of hair related services to everyone. Who have you worked for in the past? My previous role was Marketing Manager for Baltic Training Services, also an Aycliffe-based company Best part of your job? All of it! I love what I do, our clients are fantastic and we are building a fabulous team at the Lox studio. What’s not to love? Is there anything about your job that you really don’t like? When Tamsin, my Marketing Manager, goes on holiday for ten days and I have to deal with the million and one things she does at the studio. It makes me really appreciate having her on board! Favourite thing about working on Aycliffe Business Park? There is a sense of community on the park which I really like. Even though it is a huge park, we have already made contact with several companies and will soon be offering a loyalty card to fellow business park workers. Which company/individual on the park do you do the most work with? It’s early days for us yet as we only opened our studio at the start of May, however we would love to work on some cross-promotion with complementary businesses on the park. 7. 8. 9. Who’s your tip for future success? Tamsin Edwards, our Retail and Marketing Associate. She was Lox of Love’s first employee and truly represents the passion and enthusiasm we have for what we do. Four famous people you’d love to have round for dinner and why? Russell Brand for his satire and cynicism; Jason Manford because he’s hilarious; Alan Sugar for his common sense, no-nonsense approach; and Gordon Ramsay for a colourfullyworded critique of my terrible cooking! If you could do something else in business, what would it be? When I was at uni I wrote a business plan for a fashion accessory rental business and won an environmental award for my efforts. I often wonder how well it would’ve worked! 10. Who’s your favourite Tweeter? 11. Russell Brand! Have you ever done anything really daring? I left a very good job in marketing to start a mobile hair extension business after being out of the hair and beauty industry for almost five years. Everyone thought I was completely crazy, especially having three children to support, but it was absolutely the best thing I ever did! I now have a studio, a business partner and two staff! 15. 16. 17. What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given? Eventually you have to stop planning and start doing! It’s far too easy to get caught up in forecasts and speculation. At some point you have to take that leap of faith and start putting your plans into action. It’s the scariest and most liberating experience. If money was no object, what would be your ideal car? I’d have a brand new Aston Martin Vanquish in black. Completely impractical and no room for the kids but looks beautiful! Money no object, your dream holiday would be? A few weeks travelling the USA… New York, Nashville and New Orleans as an absolute must, finished off with a nice relaxing beach holiday in Jamaica. Do you have a favourite band or type of music? I have very eclectic music tastes from country, to soul, funky house and hip hop, but my absolute all time hero is Bob Marley. What is your greatest achievement? I have three amazing children and they’re obviously my greatest achievement. They couldn’t be more perfect if they tried! How would you best describe yourself in four words? An ambitious, hardworking perfectionist… (My other half would say something different but it was too insulting to print) 18. Where do you see yourself in five years? As the Managing Director of a very successful and well run hair extension chain, with plenty of quality time and a healthy income to be able to enjoy more time with my family. The Aston Martin Vanquish would be very handy, though… 19. Who’s the most famous person you’ve ever met? Victoria Beckham’s sister lived round the corner from my parents for a while and I met her once at a summer barbeque. Though my daughter went to one of her parties once and fell over in front of Brooklyn Beckham, so I think her claim to fame is far more entertaining than mine. 20. Do you have any guilty pleasures? I know how to line dance and I love country music.