Sheila Smith
A feature in which business people discuss their motivation, ambition, experience - and themselves. This month, Northamptonshire Business Expo organiser Sheila Smith.
Sheila Smith is an experienced events manager and the organiser behind the Northamptonshire Business Expo, the latest of which took place at thre Holiday Inn Corby last month. She has also organised and hosted networking events across Northamptonshire for more than a decade.
What was your first job?
I’ve had a very expensive horse habit to fund for more than 50 years. As a teenager in the mid-1970s I was at work in a hairdressing salon, taking booking calls in a taxi office, cleaning, babysitting, doing whatever I had to do to give my naughty pony a life of luxury.
Quite an achievement to juggle all those little after-school jobs given that we were in the midst of a deep economic recession, a time of power cuts, street riots and workers on strike… unemployment was running at the highest rate since the end of the Second World War too.
Why did you choose your particular career?
My career in sales chose me. I’m entirely self-taught and have worked at almost every level and although the industries and products/services have changed over the years, the process remains the same.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Forty or so years in business has seen so many highs – of countless deals struck, the glittering prizes and all – but I wouldn’t be much of a sales professional if I didn’t believe that the best is yet to come.
…and the low point?
Allowing myself to be bullied out of a job I loved. I grieved for that job for years after but that was over 20 years ago and HR processes are much more robust now, thankfully.
What’s the best advice you’ve received in business?
As a regional sales manager, I once found myself with the highest turnover of staff in the company and I couldn’t work out why. I’d hired ‘good’ people with bright, shiny CVs but none of them were actually up to the mark.
My sales director nailed it when he sat me down and advised me to put away the CV when interviewing, focus on the person in front of me and seek out your shared values because that’s the person you’ll be working with, not the CV version.
Absolute game changer. My region closed that year with a seven-figure turnover and 100 per cent staff retention.
Who in business do you respect the most?
Oh, Gary Neville – no contest. He made the best of being an extremely average but determined footballer with Manchester United and England, going on to be a business hero with a compelling work ethic that has me hooked. In business, we all need to be a bit more ‘Gary’.
What annoys you the most in business?
Folk who don’t keep their word. I might forgive you but I’ll never forget such a big transgression.
What’s your career ambition?
At my great age, it is time for giving back and inspiring the next wave of intrepid business champions. I love the work I have been doing with the students for Leicester College in recent years and 40 of those students came to my Leicester Business Expo to volunteer for a day at work with me.
We all learned a lot from that.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Salford City FC. I’ve been following for about four years now and have been a season ticket holder for the past two seasons. Originally, gripped by the Class of 92 Sky TV documentary because it reminded me of home – I’m from the north – I went to my first match when Salford played Brackley Town in January 2018 and that was that.
The fans and staff at Salford are incredibly warm and welcoming. They make me feel like I’ve been part of the club since forever.
…and your life ambition?
To save all the animals. I’ve been involved with the rescue and rehoming of 11 dogs from Bulgaria in the past year, I want to do more of that and I’ve also started delivering equine therapy sessions with Follyfoot Healing With Horses,
I’ve had a few wow moments there observing how horses bond with people and, indeed, how horses choose their people. They have a very incisive strategy and move quickly to steal your heart away.
How do you relax?
Not sure I ever really do but if I did, it would mostly be around the animals or on my yoga mat.
What’s your most treasured possession?
A gold watch. My lovely Dad was coming up to his 30-year long service award when he worked at ICI in 1970.
On the awards night he was presented with the watch which he immediately gave to my Mum as he’d actually chosen a ladies watch for her instead.
I love that story. I was so blessed with those two as parents.
Tell us something you regret.
Everyone I meet says that I should write a book about my life so I’ve started it. I’ve written great stuff, it’s brilliant, you’d love it but I can’t find the spark within to finish it. I’ll keep you posted on that…
Tell us a secret about yourself.
I declined a marriage proposal over afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan in September 1986… Those were the days.
What are the first 3 things on your bucket list?
- To fly in a hot air balloon.
- To return to Singapore – what a fascinating place.
- To spend a whole summer on the Cote d’Azur.
