I'd always been really interested in sport - I was a champion gymnast and thought I'd be a PE teacher one day. University was the natural path after school so I applied for a PE teaching course and began my studies.
I was working part-time at Domino's while I was at uni. I'd been a customer for several years and loved the product and the buzz there always seemed to be in the store so getting a job there was fantastic. I really loved being at Domino's - so much so, that after a few months, I began to question whether the uni course I'd signed myself up for was the right thing for me.
Six months into university, I'd made my mind up. I wanted a career that I loved and the PE course wasn't turning out how I'd expected. I just couldn't get enough of Domino's though and loved going into work! I saw the potential there and the career path available - both in terms of working in the store and also becoming a franchisee and owning my own stores.
It was a tough decision to make but not as hard as having to tell my parents! They tried to convince me to stay on at uni but I just knew it wasn't the right thing for me to do. PE was a hard course to get into but I'd made my mind up and left university. The views of my parents just made me even more determined to really make a success of myself at Domino's.
I joined Domino's full time and worked my way up through the ranks. At 19 years old became a store manager. A couple of years later I won Domino's Manager of the Year Award for the UK and Ireland. It was at this point I decided that I wanted to keep on pushing myself and own my own store. I bought my first store when I was 23 and today, I have six under my belt, all located in Scotland.
These days, my parents couldn't be more proud of what I have achieved (and they do love to pop in for a pizza regularly too!). It was tough being a young female going into business - especially going to the bank with my business plan and getting the funding together - but I felt so passionately (and still do) about what I do and it made me work even harder to succeed.
I really appreciate being able to do a job I love every day. It was tough decision to make but I've never looked back. I'm really fortunate too that my job has put me in a position to do other things which I love including talking to young people and encouraging them to consider running their own businesses. I've even been asked to speak at Scottish Parliament!
Leaving Uni is not something I'd recommend to everyone but, at the same time, I'd definitely suggest looking carefully at all of your options before making a decision. I was very fortunate to be working for a brand such as Domino's which not only offered a clear career path but also gave opportunities to become franchisees too. My part-time job has turned into me owning my own business and I'm so pleased to be doing a job I love every single day.
I was delighted to be shortlisted for the NatWest everywoman Awards this year. These prestigious awards recognise top businesswomen and have included the likes of Hilary Devey and Jo Malone MBE as past winners so I'm really honoured to be chosen as a finalist. I'm certainly in great company!