Role Models
Beccy Owen
Beccy Owen is a Welsh born singer-songwriter now living in Tyne and Wear whose musical influences include Dylan Thomas and her all-time hero, Nina Simone. Released on her own record label, Fairy Snuff records, Beccy's first full-length recording 'The Sweetest of Tales from the Bitterest Edge' was released in early 2002 and she has been a favourite on the live circuit ever since. Setting up her own business was easy as long as she followed her strong motto: “Believe in yourself because you are completely unique, but above all define what success means for you and don’t lose sight of that path. This is your adventure and no-one else’s – so enjoy it!” Beccy Owen – Fairy Snuff Records www.beccyowen.com
Jocelyn Maxfield
Jocelyn is group director and co-founder of Tom’s Companies, which include Seaham Hall Hotel and the Serenity Spa, and one of Newcastle’s top restaurants, the Fisherman’s Lodge. With these ventures, Tom and Jocelyn hoped to create genuine excellence and originality inspired by their unique and personal vision of what hospitality really should be. Jocelyn is also the chairwoman of The Percy Hedley Foundation and a board member of The British International Spa Association. Jocelyn’s words of advice are: “Be confident, feel good about yourself and look every challenge in the eye. Most importantly, always remember that most people will help you if you ask them.” Jocelyn Maxfield – Tom’s Companies www.tomscompanies.com
Judith Mathias
Judith’s business, Home Scents, is based in Hexham where she started up just 14 months ago from her kitchen table with help from her husband John. Together they develop and manufacture eco-friendly naturally fragrant cleaning products. Judith strongly believes that women should network and encourage each other in their business endeavours, especially in ethical businesses, and wisely suggests: “Always approach building your own business with passion, honesty and the enthusiasm of youth” – good words of advice for young women in the region. Judith Mathias - Home Scents www.homescents.co.uk
Kari Owers
Kari Owers started her own PR agency in Newcastle, O Communications, only four months after having her second child, to create a better work-life balance. Prior to starting-up she spent more than ten years in public relations all over the North East getting the necessary experience, and has now moved from a freelance operator to a team of four in less than two years. Kari is a member of North East Publicity Association and a specialist marketing mentor and seminar speaker for The Prince’s Trust. She believes: “If more young women were to realise the benefits of working for themselves, we would have not only a more vibrant business community in the North East, but would go a long way to guaranteeing our future prosperity for the region as a whole.” Kari Owers - O Communications www.o-communications.co.uk
Lisa Aynsley
Lisa started up her own recruitment consultant business, AM Associates, in order to achieve a better work-life balance so she could spend more time with her daughter. The business, which places candidates in permanent, interim or temporary positions across a variety of sectors, is blossoming in a very competitive marketplace. Lisa loves being her own boss, and now only two years on says: “Starting up my own business is one of the best things I have ever done, just go for it 100%, I have never looked back!” Lisa Aynsley - AM Associates www.amassociates.co.uk
Nickie Gott
Nickie is a working mum, which means that she not only has to juggle the demands of work and motherhood, but is the managing director of her own event management company; She’s Gott It! The company is based in Durham and currently employs 5 people, specialising in event management, marketing and PR. Nickie’s motivation to start her own business was triggered by her experience as a voluntary worker; she “wanted to inspire others with creative ideas and turn them in to reality”. Nickie Gott - She's Gott It! www.shesgottit.com
Ross Cooney
Ross started his business, Rozmic Wireless, in 2005. Rozmic Wireless is a software development company working in the spam, virus and instant messaging fields. Ross is the Technical Director/Linux Programmer of the business and has been at the forefront of spam and virus research for more than a decade. The Irish Internet Association has nominated Ross for a Net Visionary Award in the Internet Entrepreneur category. Ross’s words of advice are: “If it doesn’t work first time then you just need to try another way. Persistence pays.” Ross Cooney - Rozmic www.rozmicwireless.com
Ross Linnett
Ross is from Stanley in County Durham, and is a world class athlete as well as a businessman. He took up athletics at the age of 15, and three years later he was ranked within the top ten 100 metre runners in the UK. Ross used his passion for athletics and his experience of being president of the students union at Northumbria University to start a business providing adaptable websites to clients in the sports and education sectors called UKC. Since then he has received regional awards and travelled to Boston in the US representing British Business. Ross Linnett - UKC
