Sally Inkster, owner of Finding Brand You

What first drew you to starting your business?

I always thought I understood myself, but then came a time when I needed a coach to help me find the right direction, with what was then, a small styling business. During coaching I had to really investigate me, and low and behold (lightbulb moment) I found out who I was and where all my past experiences were taking me, EUREKA!

I finally found my personal brand that included all my past, my personality, my issues, and my passions.

I'm a lover of music theatre, food, colour and dogs. A housework hater but love interior design and sorting out. I don't do politics, religion or drama on social media. I believe in fairness, respect and loyalty, Compassion (this is where the helping comes in) and creativity are 2 of my strengths! I can't spell and filling in forms of any sort, panics me.

So how does that make a brand?

Knowing these things about yourself and how to put them over are the key to having a successful Personal Brand that people; like, trust and then buy into. Once I'd discovered how powerful that could be, I did the same for others

What is the best thing about being your own boss?

What I love most about my work is that breakthrough moment – the literal Goosebumps moment – when the (metaphorical) clouds part and my client gets that crystal clear clarity about their business, knowing who they are, what they stand for, who they serve – and how to attract their ideal clients.

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

I sat down in my 50’s and looked at my past career path, which has been a winding pathway, like lots of other peoples, but I wanted to examine it to see if there was a common thread, I had read somewhere that this was a great thing to do, I now encourage all my clients to do the same.

Figure out what you love, what you are good at and start from there.

What is your top tip for success?

What if I told you that no-one knows who you are until you’ve found, written and told your brand story".

Only when you are clear about who you are and what you do will you really connect with clients.

Tell us something about yourself we might not expect?

I was a registered nurse in my previous career.