National Sickie Day? Not on our watch!

‘I have a cracking job and I think you can always stay ambitious within a role that you are already in. Jobs can get stale if you’re not challenging yourself. In this job I have other opportunities, to help charities and to speak – it’s a great platform and it’s a job that allows me to have more than one role.’ – Carol Malia of BBC Look North

‘It’s actually non-stop – at the moment I’m working from around 8am–10pm – so my work/life balance is a bit out of whack! But I also feel like it’s not work, because I really enjoy it. I’ve been in positions before where it’s been relentless, whereas Saint Belle doesn’t feel like that. It feels like I would be doing something like this anyway. Whether or not I’d have set up the business, I’d still be researching the same things, looking for inspiration, I’d still be drawing and sketching, that wouldn’t change for me. So although I do work crazy days, I love it.’ – Isabella Dryden of Saint Belle

‘I love art! I do a lot of art at home and it brings me a lot of joy – and it also brings joy to my work to make things look beautiful. I really enjoy doing it and like that my products are a bit different from the norm. Of course, it would be easier and quicker as a business owner to make a product without that finesse, but I think that’s what makes Studio 28 special.’ – Naomi Longfield of Studio 28 Patisserie

‘I love the community of businesses I get to speak to with my job. Working with all these amazing people in the North East – all the little independents, the makers and artists – it’s just incredible.’ – Molly Ashby of High Life North

‘No day is ever the same, as you can imagine! Taking artists and their fantastic imaginations and trying to insert them into a living, breathing city means you’re really thinking on your feet. But you come into contact with a really wide range of people, which is what I love about my job. And working in Durham is fantastic. It’s a beautiful city with amazing people who love the festival and want to be a part of it. It’s a real privilege to bring Lumiere to life there.’ – Kate Harvey of Artichoke

‘What is so important to us is our team – who are like a family – our customers and our suppliers. Without all of these lovely people, we would be nothing. When I walk into the shop on a busy Saturday and see happy customers and hear their amazing comments about the team and the shop, it gives me such a buzz.’ – Jennifer Horton of The Corbridge Larder

‘It was hugely exciting to build another business in lockdown, especially when the world seemed to have slowed to a halt and every part of normal life seemed completely uncertain. Having been there before with Unwritten, I was confident that we could make it happen, and it gave us the focus and drive we needed through what was a very tough time.’ – Lisa Eaton, Fabric Marketing Academy

‘When people first meet me, they always assume I do something creative and arty for a living. They always seem a tad disappointed when I tell them I’m in finance. I’ve no idea why either, I think it’s thrilling! I’m not even joking, I find the world of finance so interesting and entertaining and I love what I do. In fact, I’ve never been more passionate and enthusiastic about my job and the difference I can make to people’s lives.’ – Katie Crosby of KC Mortgage and Protection

‘I’ve supported individuals through depression, helped them explore their anxiety, provided relief around loss. I’ve guided people through narcissistic relationships, travelled with them through trauma healing and inspired and motivated others to start businesses. I really do adore the work I do in my sessions and I’m yearning to run some retreats again this year, so I’m just keeping my fingers crossed!’ Jasmine Dawes of Jasmine Dawes Healing

‘I always cry when I do a staff review, because it’s so nice to hear how much they’re enjoying their work. We give them a lot of training and personal development, and if they’re having a tough time we like to have a chat with them about it. We want this to be a safe place to work and without those failures beforehand we wouldn’t have the knowledge to be able to run it this way.’ – Kimberley Cattin of West Barn Co.

‘Acting for someone during a divorce is so fundamental. In many cases, you’re fighting for a person to keep their home or their business, and to ensure that they have the requisite financial resources to, essentially, start a new life. I meet people at their absolute lowest point, but then I have the privilege of supporting them through to the next chapter in their lives. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions for them  – and often for me too!’ – Sarah Ward of Samuel Phillips Law

‘There’s a real independent business community in Newcastle, and we just kept meeting people along the way who’ve joined us. I feel as if we’ve accidentally created a lovely micro-culture. We didn’t set out with the sole purpose to do that, but the sellers – or our ‘Fleas’, as we call them – are a wonderful group and we’ve become such a good team. Real, lifelong friendships have been made and sellers support each other 100%.’ – Jessica Penrose of Flea Circus

‘The biggest achievement in my career has been starting my own business and leaving a pretty secure job to give me the opportunity to help and support those that had done exactly the same – those who had chosen to create a business around their life, instead of a life around somebody else’s business. Now it’s on my terms.’ – Kirsty Holden, online business manager

‘One of the things I love most about my role is seeing my clients succeed. If I can help them achieve their goals, grow their business, or help them launch something that they never thought they’d have the time or the skills to do, that gives me so much satisfaction.’ – Michelle Stead of SRM Virtual Admin

‘I get to learn something new every day with my job, which is amazing. I love being able to chat to so many different people from different backgrounds, who are all so passionate about what they do. It really inspires me and pushes me to keep giving my best.’ – Becky Hardy of High Life North

‘I feel incredibly privileged to do my job. Aside from the health correspondent role, I do quite a lot for the network because I work weekends and have done stuff for the 6, 10 and 1 o’clock news and the Today Program. I think I’m in quite a lucky position to be able to be really solid here in the North East but also work for the networks. As long as I can keep getting network access and show off our region and its amazing people, then I’ll be happy.’ – Sharon Barbour of BBC Look North