Wiggle’s success was possible because, hand in hand with the founders, we built a team to make the most of the opportunity. Trailblazing throws up problems to solve without the luxury of someone to copy. What a joy to solve problems working with friends.

I’d taken the business as far as it could go without external investment. I thought my only options were to carry on as before or to sell the company and disappear, until I met Livingbridge. They gave me the backing I needed to take the business to a completely new level, while holding onto majority control.

We could have external investment but still remain in the company, with majority control. I didn’t want to exit just yet and still had things I wanted to do and prove.