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Karren Brady provides profession recommendation — from establishing your individual enterprise to dealing with bullying claims

APPRENTICE star and West Ham FC Vice President Karren Brady answers all of your career questions.

Today she gives advice to a 25-year-old who wants to start her own consulting company. Karren also advises a humiliated employee who faces an HR investigation on allegations of bullying her colleague.

Fabulous Bossing It columnist Karren Brady answers your career questions

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Fabulous Bossing It columnist Karren Brady answers your career questionsImage Credit: Lancton – Fabulous

Q) I graduated from business studies three years ago and have since worked for some large companies which I enjoyed and have already been promoted three times.

Now I really want to start my own consulting company and work for myself. My problem is that I am afraid that I will not be taken seriously because of my age – I am only 25. What do you think?

How, by email

A) Mark Zuckerberg started Facebook at 19, Daniel Ek founded Spotify at 23, and Whitney Wolfe Herd became the world’s youngest self-made billionaire after developing the dating app Bumble at 25. Age does not mean success and the world is listening more and more when young people have something valuable to say.

At West Ham United FC, we have set up a reverse mentoring program as we recognize the value and insight that younger employees bring to our company.

Make your age a positive, not an obstacle. People will take you seriously if you are professional, trustworthy, and reliable. Once you start building your customer base, use their testimonials to validate your skills and offer.

While you have the security of full-time employment, you should start creating your business plan. Organizations like The Prince’s Trust not only provide loans to people aged 18-30 to start a business, they also offer great educational opportunities.

I would also suggest that you find a mentor who can guide, advise and train you in any area that you have no experience in. Looking forward to seeing your name on a list of 30 under 30!

Be a boss

Bossing It is Fabulous’ series about common women who started incredible businesses.

It aims to inspire other women and show that if these women can do it, so can you!

Read more at Thesun.co.uk/topic/bossing-it.

Q) I have been accused of bullying a colleague and I am ashamed. I really don’t think I acted badly towards her, but now I’m starting to question everything.

We never really got along because our personalities are so different, and even when I try to help by explaining a faster, more efficient way to get a task done, it seems offended. I mentioned this when asked for my comments on her for 360 degree feedback, although I did mention some positive points as well.

Now HR is involved and I’m scared of losing my job. What should I do?

Elli, by email

A) Bullying is a very serious allegation, so it is good that the human resources department is involved – to protect both the accuser and you. In addition to documenting incidents, HR is there to help you learn what led to the complaint and what you can do in the future to improve things.

Make sure to ask them for help and put everything in writing so that you have it documented. As a colleague of this person – not their manager – be careful not to overstep the target as this could lead to a power struggle.

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You may think you’re helping by trying to explain a more efficient method to her, but she may see you telling her that the way she works isn’t good enough.

If she asks you for help with something, try asking her questions so she can figure it out on her own. This style of coaching will help her achieve the same result, but she will feel part of the process and understand things better.

Working with different personalities can be difficult, but also positive because you can learn from each other.

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Compiled by: Claire Frost

Karren cannot answer emails personally. The content is intended as a general guide only and does not constitute legal advice.