Currently...

I am now running http://www.yull.co.uk/" rel="nofollow">Yull Ltd where I design and sell ladies' shoes through stockists and through my online store. I am also studying Business Management at Westminster University.

On a day-to-day basis this requires me to process the orders, handle the PR of the company, deal with the stockists, design the shoes and the future of the business, and look after stock control, whilst keeping up good relations with my suppliers.

Before I escaped...

Before this I was working in a chemical company in the aroma side of the business. I did on the road sells to customers in the UK. This consisted of keeping up good relations and also offering new prices and products.

I also sourced new and existing products from suppliers, dealt with imports and exports to a certain extent and helped oversee the stock control. I did this for a year and a half and when I had earnt enough money to pursue my start-up I decided to follow my dream.

My moment of truth...

I have dreamt of starting my own business ever since I was a little girl; ever since I left school this is what I wanted to do. However, I needed to work first to save up the cash to pursue this dream.

The moment I realised that I was actually going to do this was when my sample pieces were displayed on the catwalk at a charity fashion show in London - this was the day after I left my job.

Planning for it...

I funded the business from my savings of just over £10,000. I planned the business for about 2 years before I had enough money.

I had all my samples and designs ready whilst I was still working. I also had a business plan and all company branding done before I left my job.

The worst and best bits...

The best thing about making this happen was seeing the samples - seeing a pair of shoes with my logo on and how they were exactly what I had in mind. Another best bit was when my website was finished and people were able to buy the shoes. That to me was when my dream finally became a reality!

The worst parts are when people make horrid comments on news articles about you and the business; another is when you don't have any sales for a while and you begin to think to yourself "why am I doing this?".

Another hard part is when no one gets back to you on things such as getting into a store or a magazine; the amount of press releases and look-books that I have sent out and received nothing back...

Best advice...

The best advice that I have recieved is from my friend who runs an online business called http://www.cobwebknits.co.uk/" rel="nofollow">cobwebknits. She helped me with so much and I think that it helps to know people who are doing the same sort of thing as you. They will be there for you in terms of promotion and there for you when you need advice on business issue.

However the best advice is don't give up and be persistent with people.

Useful resources and information...

• Good advice from Su Cowell (http://www.cobwebknits.co.uk" rel="nofollow">www.cobwebknits.co.uk)
• http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/home" rel="nofollow">Business Link online for business advice
• A very talented fashion designer that I went to school with: http://www.manueladack.com" rel="nofollow">Manuela Dack