Katy O'Regan is a local podcast host and radio presenter and alongside her partner, runs Arch Publications, a business directory that delivers across Mid-Cheshire.

This week, Katy answers our Ten Questions.

What is the best part of your job?

I am very fortunate that I get to meet so many interesting people at my job. These include our readers and community groups.

We run articles in magazines and have a podcast, which gives me an excuse to be nosey! Once you scratch the surface, everyone either has a fascinating story behind their business or something personal to share; I like to discover what makes people tick and why they do what they do.

What is the hardest part of your job?

There are two things I struggle with, and they are probably related: imposter syndrome and social settings. I can come across as confident, but on the inside, that is not the case.

I really must build up my confidence to go into group situations like networking events, as I know getting to know people is important for our business.

I worked as a radio presenter for 20 years and this is the case with many people who have done that as a career because in radio you are often alone, in a room with a mic and no one can see you.

I have been working on this with Mike Holland from a business based in Congleton called Mind being You – he has been a great help in teaching me techniques and adjusting my mindset, so hopefully one day I won't be as anxious.

Favourite place in Cheshire?

Holmes Chapel, without a doubt. My family is here, my parents live four doors down from us, we have some lovely bars and restaurants, we are a community who look out for each other, and I love to walk around the village saying hello to people I know.

I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

What keeps you motivated?

My family. I work with my husband Matt, and we see each other all the time, apart from when we are sleeping! Matt is very talented; he looks after everything behind the scenes and without him, I would struggle.

Also, he is very accustomed to me expecting my ideas to be put into place YESTERDAY! If there is something we need and want to do in the business but are not sure how to do, Matt will research it and learn very quickly, to keep up with me.

So, it is essential that I do my share and that as a team we work on being successful. However, our son Archie is why we get out of bed every day – both Matt and I want to be positive role models and be able to provide for him to give him the best grounding for his future.

What was your first job?

My first job was as a paper girl; however, I got chased by a large dog so my mum used to drive around with me with the newspapers in the boot of her car – so it wasn't a long-lasting career! My first real job was doing the 'Flying Eye', which involved going in a light aircraft twice a day and flying over West Yorkshire towns and presenting the travel news to two commercial radio stations, Viking FM in Hull, and Hallam FM in Sheffield.

I absolutely loved this job, and it was the start of a long radio presenting career. The only downside was that it was often a bumpy ride and I had terrible travel sickness most days!

Prime Minister for the day, what would you do?

I would provide better support for drug users to get help. I was a police officer in my 20s (I know, a massive contrast to being a magazine owner and radio presenter!) and I would deal with many people who had fallen into Class A drug use because of difficult childhoods and mental health issues.

If we dealt with these problems in a better way earlier on, we could prevent people from self-medicating to escape from their realities, and they might not have to turn to crime to support their habits.

What is on your bucket list?

I would love to travel more and experience the world. I have made plans to take my son to Vietnam over the summer with my friend and her son.

Just the four of us, using the train and staying in hostels. This would be a real adventure and something Archie will hopefully remember forever.

Best piece of business advice you've been given?

When I started my first business ten years ago, I had a coach, and I remember our first-ever meeting. Before I had opened my mouth to speak, he said, 'You need to charge more.' I thought this was very odd because, at this point, he had no idea of our costs and what we were charging.

However, this didn't matter because he was correct. Many businesses start this way – they don't value what they do or their time and so they undercharge.

I have the utmost respect for businesses who understand the importance of not underselling themselves, and ten years on I will never forget that conversation and how right he was!

Do you have a daily routine?

My daily routine can be all over the place. I am not an early riser because doing nearly 20 years of breakfast radio and having to get up at 4 am every day means I appreciate my alarm not going off before 7.30 am.

I also like to work in various locations other than a home; we often work from the Wheelock Business Hub in Middlewich, the community centre in Holmes Chapel, various coffee shops across Cheshire or at Halton Farms in Rode Health.

Karen and Tom, the farmers are close friends, and they have a desk we can work from too.

What has been your proudest moment in business?

Taking over the magazines for Holmes Chapel and Middlewich in 2017, growing them to what we have today and launching our Congleton and Sandbach magazines have all been moments I have been very proud of.

If you want to feature in Ten Questions, then email [email protected]

Got a business story? Email [email protected]

Follow Cheshire Business Nub on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn