Currently...

Working on http://www.designmynight.com/" rel="nofollow">www.designmynight.com the first ever price comparison site for nightlife. We help users find their perfect night out in London, no matter what their budget, big or small. We provide a search engine facility, as well as a booking system and unique deals and vouchers at some of the best night spots in London.

Days are spent on marketing, sales, web development, design, finance and pretty much anything else you can imagine!

Before I escaped...

I worked at Accenture for four years, mainly at retail and investment banking clients, consulting on projects ranging from operating models to credit card platforms and outsourcing. This was never for me; hours were long and people are rewarded mainly for face time, not for value.

I looked at senior management, saw how tired and uninpsired they were and realised I didn't want to go that way. I was prepared to work like a dog but only for my own business and something I cared for passionately.

I always wanted to start my own business up - I was selling plums in my local village as a 14 year old!

My moment of truth...

Nick and I were travelling in New York and came across an article in The New York Times about a cool internet start up company for nightlife. We thought we could spin it and do something better and here we are!

I think seeing the first designs of our website was the big moment of realisation.

Planning for it...

We did a transition - Nick went full time from the start and I did some freelance consultancy work to help the funds coming in at the start. This worked really well and then when things got busy, I then joined Nick full time.

The worst and best bits...

Best bits:

• Freedom and creativity of ideas, and to see these in action quickly
• The buzz you get when explaining to someone your business and them feeling it
• Feedback from our users

Worst bits:

• Lack of sleep and worry
• Cashflow issues
• People who only respond to you if you are an established brand

Best advice...

Launch on a local scale, test it out, trial and error, and you will then tweak your concept to a perfect state ready for the big league. You will make mistakes and going big from the start will spell trouble.

Useful resources and information...

Twitter is such a good tool. Use it wisely and you will have a constant flow of intelligence at your finger tips for free!