AN INTERVIEW WITH LINDA PLANT ON THE APPRENTICE & HER ACADEMY

Interview with Linda Plant Planting Seeds at Linda Plant Academy

Linda founded her international knitwear brand, Honeysuckle, selling her designs worldwide before selling the company for millions at aged 29. She later took back control of the influential fashion brand before becoming one of the first women to float a fashion brand on the London Stock Exchange. You may also recognise her as one of the interviewers on BBC 1’s ‘The Apprentice’, providing advice to Lord Sugar for over 5 series. Her passion for business and entrepreneurship has been recognised by several business awards and Linda is a panelist and judge, including top female entrepreneurs for HSBC’s Panel of Forward Ladies.

by Russ Turner, Director Business Digest Magazine

You have done extremely well for yourself, but life was not always so. Can you share what life was like for you growing up? Life for me growing up was a close family affair.

I was the only child of doting hardworking parents. My mother was a part time secretary in the local synagogue, my dad was a tailor in Montague Burtons, the founders of the Burton empire (you can research them for more info) which started with immigrant brothers owning a large tailoring factory in Leeds. Life was happy but we were poor. We took in a lodger to help make ends meet.

My mother eventually got a stall in Dewsbury market selling ladies hosiery.

The market was open Wednesday and Saturday, my joy and first taste of business was to work on that stall every Saturday.

That was truly the beginning for me and the start of a long love and lessons in trading. Working on a market stall gave me the foundation and platform to form my business life. My mum always worked out of necessity, that is how I grew up. I loved and respected my parents, and it gave me the foundation of who I became.

I did go on eventually to be one of the first women to take a business from a market stall to The London Stock Market!

Can you tell us about the Linda Plant Academy... what it is all about, who is it for and why should they join? Linda Plant Academy was born out of the first lockdown.

I had thought for a long while about writing a business course, and simply wanting to share my experience and my knowledge of a long and varied career in the business world.

Most of all to show people of all generations it is possible to achieve success without any formal qualifications. I am not saying to young people do not go on to university and do not forsake academic achievements, I am simply saying yes you can do it. You must have the right mind set.

The Academy has a range of options and is basically there to help everyone.

If you believe in yourself, you can achieve success. I want to connect directly with people who need guidance and advice.

I am overly excited about my latest venture which is part of my academy. Apprentice to CEO. I have collaborated with Cordell Jeffers who is an award winner of Princes Trust.

Cordell started life off from the wrong side, but he is a young man who is focused and determined. He has received an award from the Princes Trust and is a specialist in mindset coaching which is so important in today’s world.

I met him when I was giving an inspirational talk for Princes Trust. We decided to put our expertise together and we are offering mentorship, my blueprint course and mindset coaching. The beauty about The Academy is that it is for absolutely everyone.

If you are a start-up or if you have an existing business, we are there to help you.

Much more info can be found on www.lindaplant.com and the Apprentice to CEO website.

What challenges have you faced in business and how did you overcome them?

I have had a long business journey and have of course faced many challenges. From a three-day week, to a massively falling pound to the 2008 Banking crisis. Problems need solutions, solutions do not come with knee jerk reactions.

Personally, I have always recognised the importance of relationships, I would say my relationships played a major role in dealing with challenges. Also, it is vital in business to be commercial.

You have made several investments over the years, what has been you best & worst investments?

Throughout my journey I would say probably one of my best investments was buying a large building which was used initially as my head office and distribution centre for my fashion business. That building today houses 300 small apartments, and we are about to add a new 60 room hotel to that.

Obviously in my property business we have made other lucrative investments. My worst investment was the one I did not make. I was offered a share in Matalan, my £250000 would now be worth 250 million.

The perception of serial investors is that they are only looking to invest when they see a clear ROI opportunity. Is this true and what do you look for when deciding whether to invest in a business venture? When I am investigating a business obviously, we cannot disregard the ROI That is a given, but I look not only at the potential, but I also look at the scalability, the unforeseen angles, the people behind the business, the economies of scale, what is the USP.

Each investment may bring different and new opportunities.

Let us briefly touch on The Apprentice, what was your most memorable moment from the show? There have been many memorable moments on the Apprentice, however I think for me it must be Elizabeth with the flower business.

She got up to walk out during filming of the interview. She was a very tall angry lady.

Networking is a big thing in business, do you have a network of people you frequent with and if so, what value do you gain from networking with them?

I have a strong belief in Networking, I attach great importance in business life to relationships and team building.

I do not have a specific group of people I frequent; it is mostly related to what is specifically required. There is much to be said from, It is not what you know but who you know!

Although you are a successful businesswoman are there any other businesswomen you look up to in business

Today there are many women to be admired in business which is contrary to when I started. I would say one woman who must be greatly admired is:

Natalie Massanet, she founded

Net A Porter Internet fashion shopping from her flat.

Net A Porter went on to become a multibillion-pound business.

I probably relate to her achievements because of my own love of fashion.

When you die. what do you want to be remembered for?

I have no thoughts on death, but when I do pass if my children remember me, that will be sufficient.

What is the best advice you can give women who own their own businesses?

To Women who own their own business I would say if there were doubts or conflicting thoughts of can you be a good mum and run a business, the answer is Yes you can. If you give your kids quality time, they Will love and respect you. So, do not hesitate to go forward with confidence and remember you are helping lay foundations for your children’s future.

Lastly Linda what is next for Linda Plant?

Next for me and most exciting is my collaboration with Jeffers Cordell - Apprentice To CEO.