Joanna Harbottle

Broadoaks Country House
Windermere, Lake District, UK

At what point in your career did you make the decision to become self-employed?

A belief from the age of 16 that it was my destiny ...

What was the driving force behind that decision?

When I could no longer take orders from incompetent bosses for whom I had little respect or a desire to impress.

Describe the greatest challenges you faced when making the transition.

My first business was a coffee shop and later we transitioned into a wine bar. So location was key. Challenges included finding the perfect business partner and raising the capital as I had no experience nor any assets on which to borrow against ..and the banks were as pleasant as they are today ....!!

Which skills did you need to develop in order to become effective in your role as an entrepreneur?

Product perfection, Customer Service and the ability to listen .

Which networking groups do you belong to?

None

What is the best business book you have ever read?

Seriously, I have never read a book about business ...

What does the future hold for your industry?

Little ....I'm afraid which is why after 16 very successful years with the coffee shop and the wine bar I have changed direction. Sadly due to the saturation of big high street chains like Starbucks who have driven up the rents and rates we have found it more and more difficult to compete with them. Business is business and and although it was a tough decision I felt it was time to move on and take my time, energy and talents into a young and growing business which I have done recently as a co-owner of Broadoaks Country House. I  find it extremely rewarding and am helping to drive a new venture onwards and upwards in the Hotel Industry specialising in Country house Weddings which are proving to have that elusive quality of being recession proof ...

How do you feel about the current status of women in the workforce in Canada?

I don't know about Canada I'm afraid .

When you are featured on the cover of Time magazine, what will be the headline?

The Tycoon lives on to fight another day ......