Want to start a business? Are you MAD?

What was it Martin Luther King said? ‘I have a dream.’ Well, I too had a dream - although I’m ashamed to say my dream wasn’t anywhere near as selfless and worthy as his.

My dream was to run a successful business. To wear nice suits, to employ people and treat them well, to treat customers with respect and spoil them with service, to throw big parties when results suggested I could, to allow myself time to be with my young children and not so young husband, to one day treat myself to a navy-blue helicopter…

Attainment of my dream would be easy - a walk in the park compared to Mr King’s continued battle. I’d plan well, get advice, work hard, gain support from my family and friends and market the new business with finesse. One day I’d appear as junior dragon next to Peter Jones (isn’t he handsome?) and maybe write a book titled ‘Everyone can do it’.

Two years down the line and I’m now well aware that I must have watched too many episodes of Dallas when I was a child. Running a business is definitely not all glamour, deep-pile carpets and walnut desks. On the contrary - it’s puffy eyes from too little sleep and waking up with dried cornflake on your cheek where you slumped at the kitchen table you didn’t have time to clean.

You’ll be so attached to your computer your partner will think you’ve run off with someone called ‘Google’, you’ll offer Pro-plus to other mums at the school gate rather than Wrigleys, you’ll smile calmly to disguise unadulterated panic.

The rather amazing news is that, after more graft than I ever thought I had in me, I’m still going strong. It’s not easy. It seems it hardly ever is, particularly if you’re a woman with other pressures biting from your domestic life. I’m a long, long way from buying my helicopter but I am on my path to fulfil my dream and, despite the hard work, the extra wrinkles and the lack of a decent desk I am ridiculously happy. Famous German philosopher, Goethe, wrote something that I keep pinned to my fridge. “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genuis, power and magic in it. Begin it now.” How glad I am that I took his advice.

My blog that will follow every fortnight from here will take you through the massive highs and the god-awful lows. Hold on tight - it’s going to be a bumpy ride…