Biz Extra
Published: February 23, 2023 | Updated: 11th October 2023
Here’s where we shine the spotlight on a leading light in Dorset and ask them for answers to our part fun/part serious questionnaire.
This time…Her favourite smell is a fresh, clean, white sand beach; she looks for trust, kindness, creativity and ambition in a new employee and chooses Ringstead, up on the top of the hill, as her favourite place in Dorset.
Beth Gregory, Personal Brand Photographer, Folio Creative, takes the 20 Questions’ hot seat.
Question: What is your favourite TV show?
A: Friends, without a doubt. It is my go-to, and always gets me laughing. It just never gets old. If you are a Friends fan, I already like you!
Q: Who would you like to share a car with?
A: Roxie Nafousi, the most incredibly inspiring, manifesting and self love coach. I am currently obsessed with her book and can honestly say it’s changing my life. I never realised how such simple daily tasks, and the way in which you respond and react, can have so much influence.
Q: The best bit of my job is…?
A: Being able to make a difference and to be a little part of such incredible, authentic and personal journeys. Running a business or being a entrepreneur is HUGE. It is such an important part of your life and I love that I can provide the tools for women to be seen, to feel confident and to grow both their business and personal mindset. I am so grateful.
Q: And the worst?
A: I would probably say the pressure. The pressure and typical imposter syndrome that comes with running a small business and the dreaded comparison. It’s just too easy to do with social media being so accessible. Although I am aware a lot of that pressure, and the majority of the negative thoughts I experience, are just in my brain, and no one else’s. I am learning to be braver when it comes to showing up online and that, actually, people can think what they want… but it’s irrelevant. As long as the people in your tribe support you (which they will) then you are unstoppable.
Q: Who was your childhood hero?
A: This one is hard! All I remember watching as a kid was Teletubbies and Thomas the Tank Engine. I am going to go with Snow White, with her moral being that beauty is not what you look like, but who you are – real beauty comes from within. She shows that you can find and appeal to the goodness in everyone and everything. I actually remember having a Snow White dress that I would wear.
Q: What’s your favourite smell?
A: Ooo, I would have to say a fresh, clean, white sand beach. The sun on my face, salt in the air. I also love the smell of a sandalwood candle.
Q: Where’s your favourite place in Dorset?
A: Ooo this is also hard. I would probably have to say Ringstead, up on the top of the hill. It holds a special place in my heart as I have had great times there with our campervan all set up, having bbq’s with my partner and friends, with incredible sunset views.
Q: What advice would you give to anyone starting out on a career?
A: Oh my gosh I have so many. I am going to give a few and keep them short and simple. Just know that:
Q: What was your first record/CD?
A: I have no idea, but I do always remember having those ‘Now That’s What I Call Music 66’ CDs – because I was a cool kid like that!
Q: What gets you angry?
A: I am not an angry person. If I am angry, it tends to turn into tears, rather than anger. I hate confrontation. But I guess if I feel people aren’t being respectful, that would make me angry. I think it’s really important that people are understanding and take the time to listen to other opinions, even if you don’t agree or resonate.
Q: Do you have a favourite piece of music?
A: I am a lover of happy/chilled songs to be honest. I have a playlist called ‘Folio’s Tunes’. That’s my go-to which I play on photoshoots. It consists of well-known songs with an acoustic twist. I find it quite relaxing, cheerful and easy to listen to whilst working. However my road trip playlist is very different; a lot more upbeat and energising.
Q: What are the qualities you look for in a new employee?
A: Trust, kindness, creativity and ambition.
Q: What’s your favourite food or dish?
A: My favourite restaurant is definitely wagamama so I would say any stir fry or noodle dish. I also love a curry, with poppadoms, oh and mango chutney.
Q: Steamed sponge pudding and custard or a plate of melon?
A: A plate of melon – I love fruit and could eat it all day. When it comes to puddings, I am more of a cheesecake dessert person.
Q: Name the best thing about living/working in Dorset?
A: The beach, without a doubt. It is my happy place. I would spend every day at the beach if I could. Fresh air, salty hair, ice cream, a cuppa… it’s all a vibe for me.
Q: If you were Prime Minister for the day what would be the first thing you do?
A: I would make it a rule that you absolutely have to take a photograph every single day! Can that be a thing? We live in chaotic and non-stop lives and forget to capture memories and take in the mundane moments. We would certainly treasure those photographs in the future.
Q: What’s your biggest frustration?
A: Again this one is hard. I would probably just say myself! I put a huge amount of pressure on myself to succeed, and I went through a stage where I was certainly my own worst enemy. I am much better, more accepting and have a much more loving mindset now, which is SO important.
Q: Where’s your favourite holiday location?
A: My favourite holiday trip would be a road trip in our campervan, travelling the South Coast of France, or through the mountains of Switzerland; both beautiful in very different ways.
Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?
A: I am a huge lover of goal setting and visualisation so this is a good one. Although I have only visualised five years in advance so here goes…I would say that in ten years’ time I will be continuing to run my three business ventures (Folio Creative, Azura Gold Photography and Wonderfully Women) and all three will be blooming with love, I will have travelled to various countries and experienced many adventures and, most likely, living in Dorset with my family.
Q: What would you like to be remembered for?
A: Empowering women to feel COURAGEOUS, CONFIDENT and MINDFUL. Yes, the capitals are necessary. I want to be remembered for generally creating awareness that it is possible for women to turn their passion into a career, that they are courageous and brave, and most importantly that they can shine as their true selves…. Because WE CAN. If you can dream it, you can do it!
