What is more important, talent or drive?
Drive. I always hire my team around attitude and drive. I believe that you can train most people anything if they have passion, drive and a 'can-do attitude.

On a scale of one to ten, how significant a role does luck play when it comes to success?
Even with a well thought-out and planned strategy often being in the right place at the right time helps. With luck on your side, you have an advantage and often success breeds success. When things are going right then success continues, it's infectious.

Which is more critical, the idea or the execution?
Execution. Many people come up with great ideas but don't want to take the risks to follow through. I believe that in order to achieve your goal you have to execute your ideas. True business innovation relies more on hard work than a just a great idea.

Is it better to be passionate or objective?
Passionate. You need to be passionate to get you through the numerous knocks that you will encounter in business; you need passion to turn each 'no' into an opportunity and to continue to believe in yourself and follow your dreams. When one door closes, another opens.

What is most and least important? Please rank your priorities.

1. Drive
   Talent
   Organisational skills
   Relationship skills
   Confidence

What one trait has helped you most in business?
Drive - the unstoppable need to succeed and keep going no matter what.

What is the one trait that has hindered you most in business?
Organisation skills - but I have learned from this and make sure that I surround myself with a team to assist me in this weakness.

What is the hardest lesson you've learned and how did you learn it?
To work on your business and not in your business - step back from the day-to-day running of a SME in order to achieve your goals. I learned this by burning out, by getting too caught up in the small issues and not looking at the big picture. This is a tough lessen for many business owners, particularly if you have built your company from day one and love the control and dependence that you have created over the years.

What is the one piece of advice you would offer other women in business?
Be willing to change and change quickly. There are numerous opportunities but often we fail to see them. In today's tough economic times, being willing to adapt and diversify will be instrumental in continued success.

What are the biggest mistakes you see women making in business?
Don't try and be everything to everyone and get help with running the home. We would never neglect our business, but often we feel we are failing by outsourcing home help, but this gives back some quality time with your family and in particular for yourself.