I understanding this difference changed my life👇🏾 5 years ago today, at 27 years old the BBC called me and asked: "Do you want to become a Dragon on Dragon's Den". I was shocked. But I said, Yes. To me it’s not just an iconic show, it’s a culturally, economically and entrepreneurially important one. I was 28 when I entered the Den. About to sit in a chair I'd role-played myself in since I was 12. To my left: Peter Jones. There since episode one, 2005. To my right: Deborah Meaden. 19 years in that seat. Producer counts down: "30 seconds until the first entrepreneur." My hands are sweating?! Heart thumping in my ears! Not because I couldn't evaluate businesses. I'd built and sold companies and made investments - in fact my first ever investment was into a young Hyrum Cook for an idea he pitched me pre-launch called Adanola. But I'd never done it with cameras rolling and millions watching. For 15 years, I'd watched from my parents' sofa. Paused the TV as a child to give my verdict before the Dragons. Played businessman in my living room. Now I was.... inside the TV. In the actual Den. The lights really hot. The chair stiffer than expected and the silence before that lift opens, deafening. Here's what I learnt: Imposter syndrome isn't about incapability. It's about inexperience. Your brain literally can't tell the difference between: "I've never done this" and "I can't do this" Same signal. Same fear. Completely different realities. First entrepreneur walks in. Pitches. The Dragons turn to me. My mind goes blank for exactly one second. Then muscle memory kicks in. "Your customer acquisition costs across social media is 3x your lifetime value," I hear myself saying. "How do you fix that?" Peter nods. Deborah builds on my point. I belonged there. I just hadn't belonged there before. One pitch in, the nerves are gone. 10 pitches in and I forgot the cameras, 50 pitches in and that chair felt comfortable, 500 pitches later - I'm having fun, experimenting, pushing boundaries a little.

Self belief is built one step at a time, showing up and being consistent, no matter what you’re trying to achieve. I believe consistency is my super power, what’s yours?

We've been hit by an icy cold patch in the UK and it got me thinking about favorite seasons. I love the variety of the seasons but if you HAD to choose … would you rather (vote below)? ... and let me know why!

It’s not about speed. About strength. Not about forcing the path. It’s about trusting it. The horse reminds us to move forward with courage, not chaos. To feel before we push. To build partnership, not pressure. This year, choose progress that feels grounded. Confidence that grows quietly. And moments that remind you why you started in the first place. Steady beats rushed. Connection beats control. And you are more capable than you think. Happy Year of the Horse. 🐎

A very warm welcome to @Tove Sundgren Tove is from Uppsala Sweden and she is taking her very first step to creating a new business as a dog trainer and behaviourist. Tove is interested, like us all, in self belief - Tove you are in the right place!