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" Every week, Jo Glynn-Smith interviews a successful woman to find out how she made it to the top, and get tips on maintaining a successful work-life balance. This week, she meets Libby Hart, CEO of women\u2019s workwear label Libby London. Describe your job \u201CI am the founder of Libby London. We make beautiful and affordable, 100% British-made dresses and separates for the modern, professional woman.\u201D Briefly detail your career path \u201CAfter university and no less than five summer internships, I went straight into the bond markets. I spent eight years on the trading floor selling asset-backed bonds, working my way up to become a director in structured finance. After many years of struggling to dress well for work I decided to create the perfect professional wardrobe myself.\u201D What is the most rewarding aspect of what you do? \u201CThe unique, entrepreneurial life of risk and adventure is tough, but so rewarding when you see how a beautiful dress can positively impact a woman\u2019s confidence. I believe confidence is the biggest key to success and I love that we play a part in helping women feel better about themselves.\u201D What is the one piece of business advice you would pass on? \u201CBe nice to people, it costs you nothing. I don\u2019t subscribe to the belief that you have to be cut-throat to be successful in business.\u201D Do you have a mentor or someone who inspired you? \u201CIn a big corporate organisation you need a champion to help you progress, but you have to earn their support. In every job I\u2019ve had I have actively looked for someone who might be willing to champion me and help guide me through the corporate jungle. I\u2019ve been very lucky to have some truly brilliant bosses.\u00A0 People who do their job \u2013 big or small \u2013 really, really well, have always inspired me.\u00A0 I sought them out as mentors and I now seek them out as employees.\u201D Describe your work style \u201CUsually chic, smart dresses and if I need a true confidence boost, the highest heels possible. For meetings this reliable formula never fails me. I also think a good collection of statement necklaces is a professional wardrobe staple. I struggle with casual; smart feels safer!\u201D Favourite brands \u201CI wear Libby London during the week with Rupert Sanderson shoes and handbags from The Row and Sophie Hulme. For occasion wear I love Roksanda\u2019s stand out silhouettes.\u201D What is your favourite\u2026 \u2026form of exercise? \u201CRunning up and down the stairs with rolls of fabric is about as close as I get to exercising.\u201D \u2026way to relax? \u201CI love listening to TED talks. I download them on my phone and listen to them in the car on the way to the office. Current favourites include \u2018What\u2019s next in 3D printing?\u2019 by Avi Reichental and \u2018How to live passionately \u2013 no matter what your age\u2019 by Isabel Allende.\u201D \u2026beauty treatment? \u201CThe Bliss triple oxygen facial and microdermabrasion actually makes you look different. I\u2019m not keen on having a treatment purely for relaxation.\u201D \u2026beauty product? \u201CEve Lom\u2019s Cleanser and hot cloths \u2013 pricey but a pot lasts for ages.\u201D \u2026tech product? \u201CMy iPhone and my MacBook Air \u2013 although my husband would like to set them alight.\u201D \u2026restaurant? \u201COttolenghi for breakfast or lunch and Pitt Cue co on Newburgh Street in Soho for dinner. My family are farmers and supply the rare-breed Mangalitza pork they slow roast to perfection \u2013 I like knowing where the food has been born and bred.\u201D \u2026dry cleaners? \u201CLewis &amp;amp;amp; Wayne on Elystan Street. I even trusted them with my wedding dress earlier this year.\u201D \u2026alterations company? \u201CDe Mennato tailors. Joe is not only an alterations genius but also an incredibly nice man.\u201D \u2026cobbler? \u201CRompski\u2019s in Fulham repair shoes whilst you wait which is great for impatient people like me.\u201D \u2026service you can&amp;#039;t live without? \u201COur cleaner \u2013 life is too short to live without one.\u201D \u2026guilty pleasure? \u201CCoffee from my beloved Nespresso machine.\u00A0 It\u2019s a proper crisis if we run out of capsules at the studio.\u201D Visit libbylondon.com for more information *** MORE WORK IT OUT Quintessentially founder Caroline HurleyDivorce coach Sara DavidsonGoodwood marketing director Tracey Greaves "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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