Deborah Meaden

I'm not going to be told that I shouldn't be doing anything, or behaving in any particular way at any age of my life.

My first paid job was leading pony rides along Minehead seafront when I was eight. I probably got paid sixpence - not much but I loved horses and it gave me a great chance to be near them.

I use my clothes to make my day better - for example, if it's a dull day, I'll wear something bright to cheer myself up.

I'm not great at taking compliments because I always find the thing I could do better.

I was never good at taking instructions.

Business doesn't cut you any slack because of your gender. You're either good at what you do or you're not.

If you're looking for investment you've got to think about what the investor gets from being involved with your business. A lot of people think about what they're getting from their point of view but not about what the investor gets out of a deal.

I won't get involved in businesses that I think cut across any kind of animal welfare issues.

It can be difficult to find investment for a new business, particularly one which is highly innovative or breaks new ground.

Running the country is like running one big business.

Dragons' Den' is about as close to real business as you can get on television.

I consider my position in the business world not as a woman but as a person.