My career path has been quite unusual. I started out on my dream career which was working in bookshops. I love learning, reading and selling books, especially in specialist areas. It made sense therefore that I started out in a foreign language bookshop in London while studying French. I then moved to work at the Royal Institute of British Architects before what was certainly a significant shift in my career.

Around when I was 27 or 28, I met an architect who invited me out to Tripoli to explore some of the work they were carrying out. At the time, Libya was re-entering the international geopolitical scene. My time out there unearthed an exciting opportunity and so I started building up my expertise around architectural books. I undertook a project that involved establishing a creative arts library for young people in Tripoli. I then started my own business to source and secure 250,000 books for the library, but when the Libyan revolution happened, all my clients disappeared.

Returning to London, I ran my own specialist bookshop in Chelsea, that focused on interior design and decorative arts. It was a dream, but it became unviable due to high costs, business rates, and the move to digital platforms like Pinterest reducing the demand for physical books. So I shifted focus again.

Being fluent in French, I eventually landed a role at the French Chamber of Great Britain, helping French businesses establish and grow in the UK. I became deeply involved with French startups, which eventually led me to Maddyness, where I’ve been for about five years as a journalist and editor.

Networking has been crucial to opening doors for me throughout my career. The people you connect with along the way become part of your story and journey, and good relationships and professional connections can unlock opportunities you might not have considered. Whether through LinkedIn or personal connections, keeping in touch with people you enjoy working with can be invaluable.