Last updated at 14:53, Tuesday, 07 August 2012

KRISTINA Henshall, 34, is the owner of specialist confectioners Samovar in Ulverston’s Market Street.

DETERMINATION: Ukrainian Kristina Henshall outside her confectionery shop, Samovar, Market Street, Ulverston LINDSEY DICKINGS REF: 50034996B001

The Ukrainian shopkeeper has lived in several different countries, speaks a host of languages and in her spare time enjoys kitesurfing and playing chess.

What school did you go to?

I moved around a lot so I went to lots of different schools in different countries.

What was your favourite subject?

Geography.

What qualifications did you leave with?

I have an accountancy qualification. It was very boring.

Did you go onto further/higher education – if so, where and what to study?

No. I have no high school or university education.

What was the best advice/learning you got at school or college?

My dad told me to learn another language if I wanted to get a job. I speak Russian, Azerbaijani, Arabic, Spanish and English.

What was your ambition before you got your first job?

I just wanted a job, any job. I sat for three days at someone’s door to get a job. And I got the best job.

Did you have a role model you looked up to and why?

I had no role model. I just used my common sense.

What jobs had your family done in the past?

My dad was a jazz musician – he played the trumpet. My aunt was a piano player.

What was your first job?

I worked in the navy for three years – it was brilliant.

What has been your career path between your first job and the one you do today?

I built a business. We started with musical shops and DVD shops and then we were selling mobile phones. Then I left to do something different. I was a performance analyst for oil rigs working for BP – all with no university degree.

What's the best thing about your job?

I belong to myself – I am free. I am my own boss

What one thing would you change about your job if you could?

Nothing.

What advice would you give someone starting out today?

Never listen to advice, listen to information.

First published at 14:52, Tuesday, 07 August 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk