What is your morning routine?

I really like to structure my day, so I rise at 6:30 – I check emails for overnight messages from the US and snooze my alarm

7:15 – I’m up and make sure my two boys are getting ready for school.

8:00 – I’m in the car and take my youngest son to school, that’s a good time for a conversation and opportunity to set his day up with laughter.

I attend the gym every other day to keep my energy levels up and keep fit (as I love my food).

Then I am back at my desk – coffee at hand, and I have to listen to background music (we have the best company playlist on Spotify) and I’m ready to start my meetings for the day.

How did you become involved with the fashion industry?

I applied and got the job! Lol! I always make a list of who I would like to work with and apply or I have been headhunted specifically.

What was your journey that led to your current role?

My love of fashion has always been there – but my actual love is working with all creative companies that want to create great places to work.  So, I’ve worked across many industries including software, tech, retail, and shopping centre management.

My childhood dream was to work in TV and film (I wanted to be a TV presenter – smh).   So, it’s great to celebrate that a large proportion of my clients come from the entertainment industries. I’ve always wanted to build a company of like-minded people. I just thought it would be via a retail business. I love the fact that I’m able to use my experience to confidently support multiple organisations with great HR practices versus just one.

What is your main responsibility?

As the MD I am the one setting the ‘The Small HR Company’ work DNA, the tone in the way we communicate with our clients and how as a team we interact with each other. So, I’m responsible for leading my team, business development, networking, and modelling behaviours that I want to see moving forward.

What is your typical day/week like?

From a work perspective I mange my time with four days solid working from my home office and one day in Central London if I’m lucky. I take calls from prospective clients and write proposals whilst constantly talking to my team about current or upcoming projects; as well as reviewing the capacity we have for new opportunities.

Being the mother of two young men, I am constantly spinning many plates supporting their school life, running the home schedule but most importantly being present and listening to what is going on in their world.

I’m also lucky to have a supportive husband who understands the high pressure and demands of running a business.This year I’m trying to add a social life to the mix. I have a very tight knit group of friends that help me to let my hair down.

What’s the best part of being the MD of your own company?

The best part of my role is the fact that I have an amazing team that are just as committed as I am to making a positive difference in the workplace.

The fact that I can have open honest conversations with our clients about change and difference in the workplace, also makes me happy.

My mission is for TSHRC to become the global number one company used to supply the creative industries with HR and training, whilst building a network of HR professional that want to do the same.

HR can accomplish so much for companies large and small! More and more, companies are recognising changes they need to make or implement: game-changing diversity training, opportunities for employees to grow and develop, modern and effective HR data and metrics, changes to company cultures that empower people to be open and transparent.

Now’s is the time for modern HR. Clients recognise this, which is why they’re coming to us to deliver those progressive services and solutions.

What’s the worst part of your job?

There are not enough hours in the day!

Also, I find that many leaders underestimate the value of good HR practises and it’s frustrating.  Understanding what makes your workforce tick and then aligning that with your company goals is what HR can support with.  I wish leaders would prioritise giving their teams the best chance at success by providing them with development and opportunities to grow.

Hiring correctly and giving your team the best onboarding is half the battle won.So much time, effort and money goes into sourcing the best talent; it baffles me that companies then choose not to invest everything they can into the same people they have chosen to make their business successful. I always ask clients where they want to spend their money: up-front or at the end – it often raises a smile.

What is / are your most memorable work moment?

Winning my first client was monumental, they gave me the confidence to believe what others had told me for years.

They trusted that my approach to HR was exactly what they needed, and my non-traditional approach worked well with their view on business.What advice would you give to anyone interested in the same profession?

Understand your own ‘why’, find people who inspire you and connect with them.  Identify where you want to work and approach them.

Never underestimate the importance of networking and building your own network as you grow in your career.