What was your first-ever job? As trainee journalist on the Gateshead Post.

What’s been your worst job interview? My second-ever job, when I managed to get completely lost in a strange city and arrive 45 minutes late. This was before the days of mobile phones so I arrived, unannounced, at 6pm, to find that the interviewers had waited for me. Amazingly, I got the job.

What was the first music single you bought? I bought Baby I Love You by the Ramones and At The Edge by Stiff Little Fingers on the same day.

How do you describe your job to your mates? Where do I start? They clearly think co-founder Richard Furze and I are both slightly mad to give up proper jobs to start our own business, but they humour me!

What is the most rewarding part of your job? When we hear of a new listing and we manage to convince a buyer we are different from the other popcorns on the market.

What is the least rewarding part? Trying to get our voice heard above the marketing spin of big brands.

What is your motto in life? It has to be ‘don’t give up’.

What’s your nickname? I haven’t got one that I know about!

If you were allowed one dream perk what would it be? A salary every month!

What’s your favourite movie and why? I am famous (or infamous) in our family for my ability to sleep through every movie I have ever been to see.

What’s been the most embarrassing moment in your life? Sitting next to former England manager Bobby Robson on a plane and not realising who he was, even when the hostess referred to him by name. I had interviewed him years earlier when I was a reporter, so I had no excuse.

Do you have any phobias? I am not especially keen on injections.

If you could pick a celebrity to join your staff who would it be and why? I wouldn’t mind the publicity having Mary Portas on the staff for a few days would bring.

If you could change one thing in grocery what would it be? To make the industry more accessible for small companies like ours, which don’t have a huge marketing budget.

What luxury would you have on your desert island? Good coffee.

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