Lucy Long, franchsise business owner at WPA

What first drew you to starting your business?

My husband, who worked for Kent Police, got a hernia and was in agony and waited 7.5 MONTHS for treatment on the NHS when I realised we could have had a private health insurance cover for £15pm each and have an instant operation, I was so passionate I told everyone I knew about WPA and ended up buying a Franchise with them!

What is the best thing about being your own boss?

The WPA Franchise is fabulous, it is a lifestyle business, so I just do what I like, work whatever hours suit me and get lots of support if I want it, but at the same time, do my own thing. However, it’s the passion for helping individuals understand their health insurance so they get the cover they need/have the budget for, without the worries of their premiums quadrupling, especially when they need to use it.

What's your advice to other women going into business/entering your career?

Be authentic! Get someone like me to mentor you and understand you have 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason (I am still working on that…)

What is your top tip for success?

Get a mentor who will teach you, whilst letting you be your authentic self – don’t copy your mentor, you may have different strengths

Tell us something about yourself we might not expect?

I served in the RAF for 20 years, Broadcast media for another 10 and am now a private health consultant. I am also a breast cancer survivor with no children and would love to pass onto someone else what I have learnt before I retire.