What was your first job and what did your responsibilities include?

My first job was helping my parents to run their bar and restaurants in Torre Del Mar, Malaga. It was chaotic but fun. We never had a dull moment whether it was the morning rush or the sleepless nights trying to work out how to pay the suppliers in winter.

My first real paid job was as a barista working for AMT Espresso at the carts on Westgate and Cornmarket in Oxford. The company was just starting and my duties included cleaning, stocktaking and serving coffee.

How much was in your first pay packet and what did you spend it on?

My parents let us have the tips from the restaurant which at the time funded my school books and the odd pair of designer jeans. On a good summer month we probably got £100 a month.

Describe how you career developed to the present day.

When I was a teenager I was seduced by travel and discovering other cultures so I went to university to study tourism. But then I made the life changing decision to come to Oxford as an au pair for nine months and more than 20 years later I am still here.

I decided to go to Oxford Brookes University and ended up doing a business degree — it was the only one that still had places available. My plan was to swap courses but I stayed. In my final year I had a work placement with Oxford Innovation, before I got a real job offer setting up the Begbroke Innovation Centre at the Begbroke Science Park.

After Begbroke I helped an angel investment network and from that I started a career based on business support, mentoring and coaching. I then became involved in mentoring Oxford entrepreneurs and took other volunteer roles, the most significant now being as a director of Oxfordshire Business First Two years ago I became partnership manager for Bicester Vision where I bring together all major stakeholders key to the economic growth of Bicester.

What are the key responsibilities in your position?

It is guided by where Bicester will be in the short and mid-term future.

I am looking at plans for growth in the area in terms of housing and job creation and bringing any concerns the private sector might have about this to the attention of local government.

I am in the process of putting together a whole new marketing plan for the area to attract inward investment and promote it as the place to establish and grow a business.

Most importantly I am strongly active in supporting local enterprises looking at their business plans, recruitment needs and by acting as a sounding board.

Who/what have been the biggest influences on your career?

Firstly my parents, Ino and Lola. They did not have much of an education themselves and struggled financially to put me through university. For that I will be eternally grateful.

Also, Anna Proudfoot, a tutor who convinced me not to change my course at Oxford Brookes. I remember her telling me that I was born to be in business. I do not think I really understood what she meant then but I do now.

What has been your best decision?

Leaving Spain, coming to Oxford as an au pair and then going to Oxford Brookes.

And your worst?

I am a great believer that there are no bad decisions but accidents in life you survive and learn from.

What is the secret of good management?

Having grown up in a family business, I think the secret is listening to employees, suppliers and other parties that are critical to the business.

Do you have a good work/life balance?

I do not think I have. I get too passionate about the work I do — but these are exciting times for businesses in Oxfordshire.

What are the biggest challenges facing your business today?

Ensuring all partners are talking to each other and collaborating for the benefit of the area.

Is there anything in business that really irritates you?

People who go to a networking event for the sake of doing so as a ‘tick-box’ exercise.

How do you see your company developing over the next five years?

Doubling the size of the partnership and being the port of call for all businesses for information about support, labour, premises, local government and other businesses in Bicester.

What has been your most satisfying moment?

On a personal level, the day my son was born. Professionally, the first time I helped a start-up secure its first round of funding.

How much do you use social media and how effective is it?

I manage a number of Twitter accounts and LinkedIn is extremely useful. I keep Facebook for friends and family.

What is your attitude to the environment and do you have any green policies in place?

I take recycling really seriously and a few years ago I became fascinated with clean and green technologies and their benefits to the environment.

What do you do to motivate your workforce?

I do not have much of a workforce — but instead I try to encourage our partners to work together and I bring enthusiasm to my board.

Is there any other job you would like to have done and why?

I would have loved to go into international development.

What would you like to do when you retire?

I would go back home to southern Spain for half of the year, spend as much time as possible with friends and family and maybe take up writing. For the other half I would still like to volunteer as a mentor or advisor to new generations of entrepreneurs.