For anyone who has collaborated with me, you'll know my passion, enthusiasm and energy for our Region's Small Businesses has no limit. The inner workings and intricacies that make up the innovative, unique and brilliant businesses I've worked with over my career is what drives, motivates and inspires me. I’ve been immersed in the world of family business from my early years. I grew up my parents’ village newsagents, witnessing first hand the dedication and hard work it took to run that business, and to innovate in what we later learned was an industry destined for obsolescence.It was these early experiences that instilled in me the vital role all of our businesses play in our communities and its everchanging landscape. As I embarked on my own career, I stayed in the world of the small (and rapidly growing) family business, climbing the ranks while learning the ins and outs of running a successful manufacturing operation. I wore many hats getting stuck into sales and contract management; process and systems design, and supply chain management. This hands-on experience gave me invaluable insights that have shaped my mindset and skillset, making me the all-rounder I'm known for.Over the past two years, I’ve been privileged to deliver the National Help to Grow Programme at Huddersfield Business School, taking over 100 Kirklees’ businesses through 12 weeks of digging deep to explore their growth opportunities, and to share in a short but significant part of their journey.Help to Grow has let me explore my own creativity too, helping me develop my own communication style and highlighting my ability to create small meaningful communities where we can all grow further. I’ve thrived on the relationships built and these have informed my understanding of the challenges faced in the sector even more. From this I have tapped into my growing network to design and deliver four successful events, each addressing a different challenge/opportunity and each creating a wider, growing community. Being invited to Chair the Small Business Charter and Chartered Association of Business School’s recent Help to Grow Yorkshire and Humber Regional Event was a huge highlight for me, so much so I likened it to the headline slot on the Pyramid Stage. In addition to Help to Grow: Management, I write and deliver content on the University's Professional Manager and Senior Leadership programmes, covering topics that include interpersonal skills, using data to drive decisions, economic theory and finance.