BROUGHT up in the South Hams, I decided to venture afar and studied languages at Sheffield University which probably gave me the travel bug.

I went on to spend the early part of my career in teaching English overseas for the British Council before working in management, training, marketing, operations and business development in large corporate and SME organisations both in the UK and Europe, Africa, China and the Middle East.

Living and working overseas nurtured my desire to work with people.

I particularly loved being one of the experts on the Prime Minister's initiative overseas in Central Asia, South America and South East Asia, working with locals to develop projects and organisations. As a result last year I decided to do something that would challenge me personally and allow me to make a lasting difference.

Starting with the premise that I should use the skills and core competencies I had developed throughout my career I set up my own business and management coaching business in Exeter, Beacon Peninsula.

I not only get a real buzz from running my own business, but also from empowering other business owners to achieve their own goals and aspirations.

It is important to motivate people to set high goals which may involve going outside of their comfort zones to achieve success.

The life of a businesswoman, especially if she has children, is not a walk in the park.

Gender lines are drawn early on in our childhoods, with few girls growing up to believe that they are for the corporate world.

Even if they graduate and enter a profession, as soon as the children come along, women tend to bear the additional challenges of never having sufficient time, resources or energy.

It is tough for women in business, especially in the more male dominated industries but perhaps that just makes those of us who forge our own paths so much more resilient.

We tend to be aware of striking the right work/life balance. We are great networkers, our ability to multi-task is well documented, we are great listeners, adept at emotional intelligence and astute negotiators.

Increasing numbers of women in their middle years, when the children have left the nest, are taking up the entrepreneurial challenge.

My advice? Build on your feminine resourcefulness, put the gender issue to one side, show everyone what you can do and reach for your goals.