MEET THE BOARD: KARI OWERS

Kari Owers joined the Forum Board in early 2020 - she is the Founder and Managing Director of O agency in Newcastle, who specialise in integrated creative communications across PR, branded content and digital media.

1. Describe your entrepreneurial journey in 3 words.

Never stops changing.

2. If you had one extra hour of free time every day how would you use it?

I’d walk in nature with my dog.

3. What makes you feel like you’ve had a successful day?

If my team are buzzing, laughing and celebrating success.

4. Who would you like to play you in a movie of your life?

Maggie Gyllenhaal - just for her wardrobe mainly!

5. Who’s the most inspiring speaker you’ve heard at a Forum event?

John Hays - I attended a Focus a dinner at Seaham Hall and he was wonderfully inspiring and generous with his advice. It was memorable too because there was a power cut after dinner and everyone had to walk back to our cars by candlelight!

6. What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?

Be prepared to park it. i.e. don’t try to bring every idea you have to life - difficult for a creative brain like mine, but very valuable and has always stayed with me.

7. Who was your childhood hero and why?

Anita Roddick - I had never seen a women entrepreneur like her on TV until she came on the scene. She was passionate about her values as well as being commercially successful.

8. Name one thing you’re looking forward to in the next 6 months.

A bit more predictability!

9. Tell us about your pets.

Beau is a black lab, he’s 11 and a big hit at the office, he’s very chilled.

10. Which Forum event will you be at next?

The Together We Can Take on the World autumn Conference - always a great event, and a chance to meet new faces.

“DON’T TRY TO BRING “Being a positive, EVERY IDEA YOU HAVE passionate role model TO LIFE - DIFFICULT at work is vital to FOR A CREATIVE BRAIN ensure that the LIKE MINE, BUT VERY team are behind VALUABLE AND HAS you and supporting ALWAYS STAYED your vision” WITH ME.”