Entrepreneur Olivia Lockey is owner of Northumberland's luxury wedding venue and glamping site, Northside Farm in Horsley.
Having successfully built the business from scratch with husband Ralph since 2012 and juggling motherhood all by the age of 30, she offers her advice to all other budding entrepreneurs to show you that with a little guidance, you can do anything that you set your mind to.
I read a quote that really struck a chord with me; There is no such thing as a ‘self-made’ man (or woman). We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success.’
This was written by George Matthew Adams who coincidently was a newspaper columnist who went on to set up his own newspaper service. It seems rather fitting to use this when this is my first ever published column.
This quote really stuck with me because it is so true. I am a 30 year old businesswoman, a mother of three girls and I often get asked how do you do it?’
In all honesty it has been hard work and a lot of commitment however I cannot deny every person who has supported me, after all without people there would be no business. This includes all the words of encouragement, the faith that clients put in me when I first started out, the people who liked and shared my business on social media and I am grateful for each and every one of those people.
That is one of the main lessons in business I have learned, is that you cannot do it all on your own. You need other people – whether it is friends helping out with childcare or receiving help to set up your payroll there are countless people that have helped me to get to where I am today. However much experience you have in your line of business you will never stop learning from others as there is a first for everything. There was once a point when you didn’t know what you know now and there was someone there to teach you or show you the way. I try and view all people as teachers, knowing that I will learn something new from every person I meet. I employ teachers, my clients are teachers, friends and family and even my children are my teachers and I am not frightened to ask them for advice or their opinion as I truly value their views and that’s how I continue to learn and therefore run a happy workplace. So look after the people that help you get to where you are and where you want to be whether it’s your office cleaner, a client or your business partner, as without them, where would you be?