Kate Bordwell - Strategist

Kate Bordwell is a strategist for a large creative agency, a keen cyclist with an infectious giggle and a liking for yoga, and champagne cocktails. She's a deep thinker, has a cool head and is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. Let me introduce you...

Growing up I dreamed of being an actress and the UK's first Green prime minister. Perhaps it was from a combination of wanting to be listened to and to change the world – I've always been ambitious! At school I did science subjects and messed up my A-Levels because I was in a million after school clubs and was quite distracted by them – art, history and politics were really my thing. I ended up studying history at university which made my career options wide open when I graduated. I tried a few things out but settled on planning and strategy in agencies because it’s intellectually challenging, you get to do a lot of people watching, and it’s different every day.

My first job taught me that clients are very hard to please and so are the public. If you can do both, then perhaps you’re onto a winning formula, but it’s not actually that simple. Advertising or digital marketing or PR or whatever, it’s a creative business. Sometimes you’ve got to work out how to sell something the client doesn't like initially but you know will do their brand the world of good because it’s going to engage their customers in the right way.

The best advice I ever got was to play the game. Twenty years later I'm still not sure I've ever taken it though.  My dad gave me the advice, and I think he got the advice from his dad. I don’t think any of them actually took the advice. I'm not sure why I was given the advice, given the fact that it’s potentially not worked for three generations of my family, but I do have my own spin on it. It’s interesting to sit back and work out what the ‘games’ in your life actually are, who’s playing them and what the rules are. It often gives you the perspective you need if you’re thinking about your next move, what the best thing to do is.

Other people think that I am... I have no idea what other people think. I've been told that I seem quite calm and together which has to be a good thing, even if I'm more like a swan, gliding on the water and paddling like mad below the surface!

Change is good. 

I’d be lost without my family and friends. Pretty much everything else can be replaced.

My biggest challenge has been learning to be comfortable in my own skin. I guess most people find this as they ‘grow up’.

In the last year I have learned lots about babies. And become much more patient. I also appreciate my work a lot more than I did. Work-life balance takes on a new meaning when you are a parent because everything you do is suddenly for someone else, as well as for you.

My goal for the future is to keep on being happy in the Now. 

The achievement I am most proud of is my baby. But she did a lot of the work herself. I'm also proud of my education, which has been extremely rich and varied, challenged me, and given me lots of pointless things to think about and made me the person I am today. I'm from a family that takes education extremely seriously. You’re never alone with a good book.

If I could be someone else for the day I would be my daughter Lucy. It would be great to be that happy about simple things and for everything to be new and exciting again. I love seeing how curious she is about absolutely everything, the most mundane objects and situations fascinate her. Life is one big adventure waiting to be discovered, and I try to remember that!

In the public eye I believe that the female Olympians were a great role model for women because they showed what's possible if you believe in yourself and work hard. And that success isn't just about how you look. 

Got a question or comment for Kate? You'll find her on twitter @kbordwell or visit her blog here.

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Anna Devitt - Comedian and Actress

Anna Devitt is a funny girl, literally. An actress, comedian and winner of the Scottish Variety Awards Best New Scottish Comedian 2013, she has sold out gigs at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival and received five star reviews for her Edinburgh Fringe Show. Anna’s recent appearance with ‘Truffle’ on Britain’s Got Talent has taken her career to another level and to pinch her own phrase she’s now ‘more popular than Jimmy Choo’s on 50% off day.’ Let me introduce you …

Growing up in Glasgow I dreamed of being a teacher or an actress. I used to make all the kids in my street put on shows for the neighbours and I would host award ceremonies. This desire to perform and teach has continued into my adult life and I now run ‘Laughter Therapy’ workshops with fully qualified therapists to help children and teens boost their self-confidence and laugh their way to a better life.

The best advice I ever got was ‘Enjoy Life’. This pearl of wisdom was written in my Primary 7 dictionary by Miss Maud, my teacher at Barsail Primary School. The other piece of advice that sticks with me was given by my Aunt Denise, ‘Be true to yourself’. Sadly she died when I was 19, taking her own life after a long fight with bi-polar disorder.

Other people think that I am bolshie, go getting and opinionated. This is probably quite true but I’m also a really caring person and I do enjoy hearing more about good things happening to other people than talking about myself all the time!

Change is scary, but the only way to move forward in life. I am currently in a phase of change as I have relocated to London from Glasgow and am starting a new chapter. I perform gigs up and down the country and often find myself in unfamiliar places and situations but that’s goes with the territory of being a comedian, and it’s an exciting step up the career ladder.

I’d be lost without my close friends, both the girl ones and the guys. Friendship is something I place a high value on.

My biggest challenge in my younger years was finding career opportunities due to my lack of high school education. My biggest challenge now is to continue growing as a comic and continue to overcome my fears.

In the last year I have learned that life changes really quickly and that the people who really love and care for you will stand by you whether you’re wrong or right. I really believe that life is way too short to waste doing things you don't enjoy.

The achievement I am most proud of is the first ever show my company, Direct Devitt, produced called "Mammy". It was written by my Aunt Cathie and I got to star alongside my best friends Sharon Rooney and Katrina Lamont and my sister Kathryn. It sold out and went to the Edinburgh and Henley Fringe in 2011 and received five star reviews from the audience. Skinny Mag gave it 3 stars and that incredible response marked a turning point in my career.

My ambition for the future is to inspire young people to go after for their dreams regardless of the start they had in life. My own dream is to have my own talk show, similar to Graham Norton’s but with politicians. I would ask them direct questions without them having preparation time, solely to see them panic. I feel it would get a more honest response. I would also have a section interviewing sellers of the Big Issue because they genuinely are the most interesting people I have ever met. I like real people; they have the stories worth listening to. 

In the public eye I believe Dawn French is a great role model for women because she's from an ordinary background, worked her way up and leads a reasonably normal life. She seems very down to earth and comfortable in her own skin. She's an amazing comedian and writer and she works very hard.

Got a question for Anna? You’ll occasionally find her on twitter @DirectDevitt or contact her via her website.  

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Image (C) Malcolm Cochrane Photography

Leah Hutcheon - founder of Appointedd

Leah Hutcheon, founder of software salon management system Appointedd, is a force to be reckoned with. She is a colourful, bubbly, erudite woman who lights up the room with her energy and takes life in her stride. An ex journalist and magazine editor she has an inquisitive mind and is the only person I know who uses the word ‘Golly’. She’s fun, she’s brave and she’s going places. Let me introduce you…..

My first job was dressing up as Mr Blobby on Central Pier in Blackpool to have my photo taken with kids. I have always had a job, ever since I was about 14 and the more random jobs often provided the best experiences.

The best advice I ever got was ‘You have to work hard to get what you want’. My mum and dad are tremendously hard workers, so I’ve never shied away from a good graft!

My favourite saying is… The mantra of #GoDo was drilled into me during my time at Entrepreneurial Spark. It was like a lightbulb moment when I realised if I just got on with stuff without over-thinking it then, nine times out of 10, good things happen. There’s nothing more damaging to a startup than inactivity.

Other people think that I am ….. I featured in BBC2 documentary ‘The Entrepreneurs’ and received lots of lovely emails afterwards. I was told I came across as a savvy and confident business woman, which is miles away from how I feel most of the time. I have a massive case of imposter syndrome!

Change is a really good thing. I believe that you should always be moving forward.

I’d be lost without my husband, Hutchie. I met him while at university and he’s my absolute rock. There have been some big ups and downs on my journey with Appointedd, but it’s always alright because I have Hutchie to come home to.

My biggest challenge has been…well, I totally underestimated the timescales involved in building cutting edge software. I was quite naive really, but looking back I’m glad I didn’t know how hard it would be or I may never have started the project. They say ignorance is bliss, and I certainly wouldn’t have been so ambitious about what we could create had I known more about software development. But it’s just meant I’ve had a steep learning curve and had to raise my game! I have been lucky enough to hire talented people to plug the gaps in my knowledge and together we make a strong team.

The achievement I am most proud of is winning £30k from the Scottish EDGE Award. Being awarded the cheque by John Swinney MSP was one of the proudest moments of my life. I was also being filmed for the BBC documentary at that time so it was caught on camera for posterity.

In the last year I have learned what it’s like to be a wife and what it’s like to be an employer. So far, so good on both counts...

My goal for the future is to roll out our software into other industries to enable as many small businesses as possible to take bookings online. I'm confident we can do it.

In the public eye there are so many women I admire, from Michelle Obama to JK Rowling, but I have to say I probably most admire Karen Hanton. She was the founder of Top Table and really pioneered the online booking space. From one female solo tech founder to another, I know how hard that must have been for her.

If I could be someone else for the day I would be Shirley Bassey. How amazing would it be to belt out tunes like she does?

Got a question for Leah? You can get in touch with her via twitter @LeahHutcheon or by visiting the Appointedd.com website. 

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Jo Macsween, Haggis aficionado and Author

In this week’s feature the woman in my life is Edinburgh based Jo Macsween. Often described as creative and energetic this well-spoken, ‘tweed-with-a-twist’ wearing lady has a passion for life beyond Scotland’s food and drink industry. My favourite thing about Jo is that she never fails to surprise and impress me, with recent adventures including writing a book, competing in a triathlon and dancing the foxtrot. Let me introduce you….

My first job was teaching English as a second language in Budapest.  It was 1991, the Russian tanks had not long departed and the outside of my flat was riddled with the scars of bullet holes…..an exciting time for a young green graduate!

The best advice I ever got was ‘sleep is under rated, make sure you get plenty’. Most of us live under the illusion that one day our work will be done, but the truth is it won’t, so it’s a good idea to go home and catch up on some of that precious sleep.

My favourite saying is …well…. I have a few! ‘You can’t make diamonds without pressure’ ‘Nothing succeeds like success’ and ‘Whether you think you can or you think you cannot, you are right!’ All three make valid points.

I’d be lost without a Moleskin notebook and my favourite pen. By writing notes I connect and make sense of my thoughts and ideas.  I have the equivalent of a ‘giant Moleskin’ on my office wall in the form of a whiteboard about 3m x 2m.  It’s great for team meetings to progress projects and ideas.

In the last year I have learned how valuable instincts are. Trust intuitions and listen, even if the hard data seems to point in a different direction. 

My biggest challenge has been growing our business, Macsween Haggis, during the recession. Increasingly this growth will be delivered by managing a team I never had before so I need to learn to be a coach and mentor and deliver the vision with them. You need a brilliant team to achieve success.

The achievement I am most proud of is the relationship I have with my husband, Roger.

My goal for the future is to ensure Macsween is a leading edge, best in class business that remains true to its core values as it grows.

If I could be someone else for the day I would be Baroness Jane Campbell (Baroness Campbell of Surbiton) a cross-bench party peer and campaigner for equality for disabled people.  She herself was told that she would never reach adulthood.  She gets up every day with fire in her belly to make life better for so many other people and rejoices that she is alive to do so.  I think it would be an honour to be in her shoes for a day.

In the public eye I believe that Dame Joan Bakewell is a great role model for women because she is vibrant, intelligent and sassy. Let’s have more wise and mature woman visible in the media please!

Got a question for Jo? You can get in touch with her on twitter @JoMacsween #WomenInMyLife or via the Macsween Haggis website. 

Subscribe to this blog by adding your email to the relevant box on the right hand side or follow on twitter @AnnieBeee and search for the hashtag #WomenInMyLife.