I’m regularly asked how I became managing director of £10m-turnover ICT Reverse, and people are often surprised by my answer.
I wasn’t very academic at school and couldn’t wait to leave at the age of 16.
I went to college but quickly realised I hated it, so I left to work at a holiday park in Longridge at 17.
I then moved to a holiday park in Norfolk, where I spent a season working as a barmaid.
At 19, I landed my dream job at the Safeway in Longridge as a cashier.
I don’t know why, but I’d always wanted to work on a checkout – and I loved it.
It was a great environment to work in, and I’d gone to school with a few of my colleagues.
A series of promotions followed, and I became a duty manager.
In 2006, I went to the University of Lancashire to study accounting and business, combining my studies with working as a bookkeeper for a local garage.
In 2009, I left university and applied for lots of jobs without success.
I was close to giving up, but then serendipity intervened.
Unbeknown to me, my future husband Paul sent my CV to a company called ICT Reverse for a purchase ledger role.
ICT Reverse is an asset management company based in Lancashire that specialises in secure data erasure. The company also recycles goods and has a zero per cent landfill policy.
I went for an interview more in hope than expectation, but they needed someone to do payroll – so I got the job.
Fast forward to 2024, and I was appointed managing director.
We’ve grown the business to £10m turnover and 80 staff.
The moral of the story is this: not everyone’s journey is the same.
Looking back, every decision I made was the right one for me at the time.
It was the right decision to leave college at 17 and become a barmaid.
It was the right decision to join Safeway, where I learned so much without even realising it.
Every step I took led me to ICT Reverse and becoming MD of a £10m-turnover business.
When I think back, the jobs I’ve enjoyed most have been because of the environment and the people.
That’s why I try to create a happy working environment at ICT Reverse.
Try not to compare your journey with others – their path might not be right for you.