Catch Up....

Well first up apologies for such a gap between posts, this last week has been a bit manic so am having a well earned (and needed) rest! Last Thursday was the Entrepreneurs forum annual conference and dinner, as a finalist I got to go to both and what a privilege it was, with speakers ranging from the founder of DFS, an interesting talk from Dennis Turner from HSBC (he made finance funny!) to Jo Elgin Editor of Glamour Magazine (unfortunately she didn't stay I had a bank of questions for her). I think the thing I found most strange was that people who I didn't know, knew who I was and have been reading my blog (as hopefully this) and background, this was most evident when Guy Browning as all the finalists to stand up for a round of applause (I was in my wheelchair for those who don't know) and those around me looked and got indignant at the choice of words on my behalf, I appreciate it but to me it was just a phrase so I don't feel left out.

As for the dinner, it gave me a chance to meet most of the other finalists, all of whom are deserving winners and delightful dinner companions. The Hilton provided an amazing meal and fantastic service, in fact from a business perspective there was only 4 issues I would pick them up on, although 1 of those requires major changes, the other 3 could be implemented immediately.

After such a long day I was exhausted and ended up leaving early so I missed out on the fish and chips midnight snack. I leant 2 major lessons from the day as well as lots of minor ones which I won't bore you with. The first is that I need to go home between conference and dinner for a few hours next time, the second is that even sitting down all day I can no longer sport statement heels for 16 hours! this isn't the good old days.

I would like to thank the photographers from the event, as a finalist I had a photo call at lunchtime and vanity prevailed and I insisted that I would be standing (with my crutches) for the photos with my chair in the background, but for this to be possible they only had a 3 minute window before I needed to sit back down, and they did it. I'm not sure where the photos are going to be used and haven't seen them yet but I feel confident that I will like them.

After the excitement of the day on Thursday, next up was some fun on Friday evening, off with the kids to see the Dr.Who exhibition at the Centre for life Newcastle! We got to see it before the big launch on Saturday as we have a yearly pass and I definitely recommend you go and see it, watch out for the cybermen.

Next up was a glorious summer weekend, but no rest for the wicked, it was up bright and early to go and look at a new house and then out to do lunch to finalise some wedding plans and get some shopping in. We got the house so attempted a start a sorting some rooms on Sunday, hence my rest day today.

So much has happened in the last week it really doesn't feel like that conference was only 4 days ago, the winners will be announced before we know it! Hope you've voted and I'll stop boring you now, till my next post anyhow!

The Story so far.......

Well to be honest it all still seems like a bit of a dream. I'm guessing if your reading this then you have seen my profile so know a bit about my business ideas, therefore I'll skip that bit and talk about the challenge.

I was a late entry, and submitted my application 1hr before the finish. I left it so late because I wasn't sure if I should enter or not, convinced that all the other entrants would be so much better than me and I wouldn't get a look in (laughable now and proof that if you have an opportunity just go for it!) So deciding I had nothing to loose at 11pm on Bank Holiday Monday I submitted my application and thought nothing else of it.

Then just 2 days later (while still in bed ...... it was early honest) Hazel rang to tell me that I had made it to the final five and would be required on Monday (10th) to face the 'Pick your brains' Panel and get some photos taken. I was told countless times that this was a very informal grouping and nothing like Dragons Den so no need to worry!

As Monday dawned I was feeling ready to face the panel and not particularly nervous, partly due to the support that I had received from the IWCYC team but mostly due to the fact that things had all moved so quickly it still felt like a dream. The Panel when I met with them for my 20min grilling were as previously described - the complete opposite to dragons and my 20min question time flew by. Once I had left the panel with an enormous amount of ideas and guidance the fear hit, it was that time Photos and a Video interview!

Tom who was in control and asking the questions was lovely. I just freeze when put in front of a camera and would therefore like to apologise now for the bizarre faces I am no doubt pulling, it is something I am working on and slowly getting used to. (I am also planning on sending in some new pic's!).

So that was that, nothing left but to wait 'til I got a phone call to let me know my fate. That call came on Tues (although I had to keep quiet till Thurs) and it was Victoria this time who called to thank me for attending the panel and let me know the decision. I was convinced that my journey had come to an end for she was talking about how much they all liked me and thanking me for attending, then she dropped the bombshell, I had made it to the final two!

So I've known for a few days now and to be honest I'm still in dreamland, but I have work ahead of me over the next four weeks to canvass for votes so that I can win, because if the advice I got in the 20 Min panel is anything to go buy winning this will allow me to take on the world and win!

I'll stop waffling now and leave you with two things:

1: Please vote for me

2: If you have voted for me Thank You.

Welcome to my blog

Welcome to my blog - more posts soon!