Nadine Hill, aka The Dream PA, is UK Ambassador for Women Enterprise.  She tells TheNextWomen about her new role:
If you are a woman in her mid 30’s like me, you may remember a chocolate advert from the 1990’s where the Ambassador had many Receptions, noted in Society!  As an Ambassador for Enterprise UK, I’m happy to report that I have been to many Receptions, but unfortunately, there has never been chocolate on offer!

My most recent escapade was a trip to Downing Street where I was invited to attend a Reception to celebrate the success of Britain’s small and medium sized businesses!  The Downing Street events team had heard about me through Enterprise UK, and along I went with around 50 other business people, to the event where I met one of my business heroes, Lord Alan Sugar!

Female Ambassadors Program

Another newsworthy event in my Ambassadorial role was when I represented the UK and flew to Stockholm in October 2009 to speak at the launch of a Europe wide Female Ambassadors Program.  There, I told the delegates about my role and how it has helped other people to start a business or become more enterprising.  The event inaugurated 150 new Ambassadors to the campaign for enterprise, and feedback I got afterwards was that I had really helped them to see what they could each do in their local areas, to help inspire other people towards enterprise.  It helps to hear how a woman like them has embraced and run with her role.

Visits to a Women's Prison and my Former Highschool

But it hasn’t all been glamorous Receptions at the Prime Minister’s house or trips to Europe!  I’ve been to a women’s prison to give a speech to the ladies there, watching their faces turn from boredom to interest as they realize what they could start to achieve upon their release. I’ve re-visited my former High School and handed out the certificates on prize giving night, after telling the young students about my journey from their seat to my own business via a stint in London where I had a glamorous career in fashion PR!

I’ve sat on ‘Dragons Den’ style panels to judge business ideas at colleges and at a local council event.  I’ve also spoken to people who have been made redundant and are thinking about setting up their own business, answering their questions about the peaks and pitfalls.

Being an Ambassador is a voluntary role which means I’ve taken time out of my business and personal time to fulfill it, but I’ve gained more than I’ve lost.  It is fulfilling to know you have made a difference to just one person, and I know this as I get people coming to speak to me after the speeches.  Plus there are often some great PR opportunities that come from working with a company, college or council!  It also gets my business name in front of new audiences – you never know who will need a Virtual Receptionist in the future!
I plan to be an Ambassador for many years to come, having made some great friends through this experience.  I’d encourage anyone with a story to tell to consider being an enterprise Ambassador, and don’t worry if you feel you have nothing to say! If you have created a business from nothing, that is a story in itself!  In terms of the opportunities that I get to share my enthusiasm and inspire others, I’d have to say that “Enterprise UK is really spoiling us?!” (said in a European accent!)

About Enterprise UK:
Enterprise UK is the national campaign to unlock the UK’s enterprise potential, giving people in the UK the confidence, skills and ambition to be enterprising. They were founded in 2004 by the British Chamber of Commerce, the Confederation of British Industry, the Institute of Directors and the Federation of Small Businesses, funded mostly by what is now called the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills.

About Nadine Hill:
"My small business is called The Dream PA.  I am a Virtual Assistant specializing in offering a Virtual Receptionist service to the UK’s small and medium sized businesses so they don’t lose business through missed phone calls.  I juggle my company and my home life, and I have two children, so the local campaign head thought I’d be a good representative for the Girls Make Your Mark project - a special strand of the campaign in 2006 when I became an Ambassador.  This project aimed to show young girls that they can achieve whatever they want in life, and I was proud to be part of that message. You can follow me on http://www.twitter.com/businessmum