Keep pushing doors
At 26, Liz Jackson founded Great Guns Marketing in her living room in Basingstoke. During her first year of business, a degenerative eyesight condition left her completely blind. But that didn’t stop her… these days, the company is turning over £3m, in six UK branches with around 130 staff.
Liz spoke to Looking at life about being in a career that suits her down to the ground.
Liz, why would you say you are suited to your job?
It’s all about people and communication, I love working with people and talking with people, I would say I have good people skills. But also I love goals and targets. Selling is thrilling to me; it’s like a hunting thing. I don’t like standing still for too long and this work is really fast moving; it changes a lot. We have a 45% a year growth, you know, so it’s a really dynamic environment, we’re always punching above our weight; there’s plenty of risk taking.
Tell us a bit about your story… how did you get to where you are now?
I started the business in 1998. I had no capital, so I approached The Princes Trust and got a grant. It started in a home, moved to a bigger home, and then into commercial premises. Now we have 130 people working at Great guns, and several offices across the UK – there are 60 staff just in Basingstoke.
Did you always know that you wanted to go into business?
No, not at all. I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I left school. My first job was as an office junior, and part of that work involved telephone calls, which I loved. I began to focus more and more on that aspect, and built my career around telemarketing. At the age of 25 I decided I didn’t want to work for that company. It was my boss who suggested I set up my own business in telemarketing, he said why not, and we’ll be your first clients. He gave me the seed of an idea and it grew from there.
Obviously you’ve been very successful and enjoyed fantastic growth… has it been easy?
There have always been loads of ups and downs. It’s quite scary when you put your own house as security against a business overdraft, or you have times when clients don’t pay in but you still have salaries going out. It’s all part of it; you have to keep going through the pain barriers.
Now that the business has grown, is it difficult to keep a balance between work and your home life?
Oh no, it’s so much easier. I only work 2 and a half days a week as I have a little girl now. I find work easier, being out of it a bit means that I can be more visionary, working on the business not just in it. I think success is where I am now; I have two babies - my business and my daughter.
Being a mum is so much harder than running a business. If you can be a successful parent, business is a piece of cake! You have to tackle toddler groups, and make friends with people you wouldn’t usually connect with. You have to be an entrepreneur, making up new games to keep them entertained.
Have you found that being blind is more of a problem for you now, then?
Yes, being blind is more challenging in parenting than business. It didn’t really affect my work that much. But my daughter likes exploring and adventures, she’s a real livewire. I have to be on my toes constantly, listening out all the time, and on limited sleep. Being a parent is ten times more challenging. I think there’s a real lack of respect in this country for stay at home mums.
Do you have any advice for people just starting out in their careers?
Don’t sit around doing nothing, keep pushing doors. Find out what it is you like, and do everything excellently. Don’t be satisfied with doing a naff job for anyone. I did my job to the best of my ability and it was recognized, I climbed the ladder from there. I see work as a blessing; I think it’s something that we’re supposed to enjoy. Love the people in your workplace. Do your best and see where it goes.
Do you believe in your dreams? Read this inspiring article from Rob Parsons.
Looking for a new challenge? Check out this checklist for job hunters.
Also, discover a tool to help you Find your Potential.
Written by Becky Williams.
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