Nest will be 25 years old next year and that will be a huge milestone, not just for me, but for my children and for my incredible staff who have come with me on every step of this wonderful journey with me. To be in the world of gifting is a huge privilege and one that I love every day. Whilst it is no hardship to being part of this industry there are so many challenges, from personal challenges to those that are far removed from our control and that as an industry we often feel on the rough end of.

The challenges, however large or small they are, tend to be the challenge in itself as they are mine, and mine only, and a responsibility for me to navigate. Whilst Nest’s staff are incredibly supportive the burden of responsibility is a huge cross to bear sometimes, but also the trust that people put in you to deliver the correct outcome is huge, and that is never underestimated- and sometimes makes it harder!

I think my biggest challenge, and yet by far my proudest moments have come from doing this as a single parent and without doubt, one of the hardest things I have ever done. Equally I am so proud of my children who, when they were very little, had to cope with me working evenings, weekends, at soft play, at the zoo- literally wherever I could to make sure they were happy and I was working!

I am also hugely proud of living, loving and breathing in the industry so much so I now have the privilege of being asked to judge, mentor, comment and be respected for Nests achievements- for which I am always so grateful to be able to do. As a very young female in this industry when I first started, I have seen so many positive changes in it over the last two and a half decades, and that is testament to many females before me, and beside me, in a world I will be forever passionate about.

Find out more about Nest here - https://www.nestgifts.co.uk/