Trish Stretton thought someone was pulling her leg when she was told her firm People face2face was the UK’s fifth fastest-growing small business run by a woman.

“I got the email and I thought it was a wind up,” said the learning and development company boss, who lives in Whitstable. “I didn’t take any notice until the Department for Education, Women and Equalities rang up to interview me.”

With 78.1% growth over the last three years, her company eased into the Fortuna 50 index compiled by the Centre for Entrepreneurs and DueDil to celebrate International Women’s Day.

The list was launched last year with the backing of the Prime Minister and measures companies which have single or majority women listed as founding directors, with turnover above £100,000 but not exceeding £5m.

“I knew we had grown but we never thought anything like this would happen,” said Mrs Stretton, who works from a log cabin office in her garden.

Her company gives training courses aimed at changing staff attitudes and behaviour. She uses a team of about eight experts.

However, her growth has come after shifting focus towards bigger fish, with clients including ITV, William Hill and Vector Aerospace.

She said: “We are still competitively priced but instead of one or two people on a course with a small business, a big customer puts through 10. In terms of volume it is a much faster return.”

Mrs Stretton set up People face2face in 2002, originally from her home in Chatham before she moved to Whitstable 10 years ago.

She had worked as head of organisational development for a financial services business but took redundancy when it relocated.

What does it mean to you to be on the Fortuna 50 index?

“It’s inspirational for women. Just have a go and keep trying. Being an entrepreneur has been hard work – this is a chips or caviar business but what’s important is dedication, hard work, perseverance and self belief.”

Why do companies come to you for training?

“They want their people to develop competence and confidence in working with others. We do an apprentice programme for Vector Aerospace which is about developing the right attitude for employability.”

Why do corporate firms use a small business like yours for training?

“We have got big clients and they say they want to work with organisations which are boutique because they are more flexible and really focused on value for money. We are customer service and quality driven.”

How did you find setting up a business?

“It was hard. Being a qualified trainer in development, the change to being a business owner has taken a long time. I have had to learn what skills I need to run a business and what is best to outsource, like accounts and IT.”

Have you got any tips you would like to pass on to other female entrepreneurs?

“I want to understand everything in my business but I don’t want to be an expert in it.
That is the trouble with some businesses. The owner tries to do it all. I read the E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber which explains why most small businesses don’t work. There is a difference between a technician, a manager and an entrepreneur, who does the creative, strategic visionary stuff. It really helped me define those roles and spend time on making them work.”

What are the common mistakes companies make when sending staff on training?

“Sometimes it’s remedial. Companies put problem people on courses and hope the training will fix it, which is wrong. Sometimes there is not a clear enough brief about the outcomes they want. Training should be integrated. We shouldn’t come in and do a day and leave. A trainer should sit down with the company and find out what they want to achieve so they can design something fit for purpose.”

CV

Born: 29/11/54

Lives: Whitstable

Grew up: Leicester and Cornwall

Family: Married to John Butler with four children between them and five grandchildren

First job: Telex operator in the RAF

First wage: £11 a week

Salary now: “Happy.”

Car: Audi A3 Sport

Favourite book: The Lord of The Rings

Film: Home Alone

Music: “I was weaned on Motown.”

Gadget: Hairdryer

Last holiday: “Cornwall with all the kids and grandchildren.”

Charity: Kent Air Ambulance and Great Ormond Street Hospital

Typical day

Trish Stretton admits she “keeps her slippers on” in the office at her home where she designs courses for firms.

She is usually in by 9am, or a little earlier if she “has a lot on” and will finish her day at about 5pm. “I’m a real believer in managing my energy rather than my time.”

On a typical training day, she will visit a company and work with 10 to 15 adults. “I’m more a facilitator than a trainer,” she said.

Trish has recently begun wing walking, which she said had been on her bucket list for some time.

She loves jive dancing and is a cooking demonstrator for Thermomix, where she goes to people’s houses. She enjoys painting.