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By Dani Saveker, September 6, 2011 5:40 pm

We’ve just spent the weekend with our best friends – helping to prepare for and then celebrate their marriage. We are so lucky to have them as part of our lives – and as godparents to our children. What an absolute privilege it was to be part of such an amazing thing.

Obviously getting married is amazing in itself but every day holds the opportunity of  seeing amazing outcomes, meeting amazing people, holding amazing conversations, sharing stories and achievements.

Since the wedding, our baby girl started infants school and tomorrow sees our middle son begin secondary school. Our eldest boy is now in year 9 with size UK 9  feet – also truly amazing!

Of course there are days of disappointment, sadness and frustration but the story of the bride and groom meeting – and indeed the journey of events that led to them now starting their lives together as Mr & Mrs Hurst –  just reminded me that even bad things can lead to something magical. My husband was honored to be best man for Mr Hurst and in his speech he told the story of how the chap that introduced them came into their lives – after a bout of glandular fever. Had he not had this he wouldn’t have delayed his studies and ended up sharing a house with Mrs Hurst. Whether you believe in luck, destiny, religion or fact – this is their story.

Today they set off for their honeymoon and a life together that I have no doubt will be full of amazing things – but we all hold to the chance to do something amazing even if it’s just to smile at a stranger or hold a door open.

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By Dani Saveker, May 30, 2011 10:21 pm

I’m really not sure how we’ve arrived at at the end of May already? Where on earth did the first half of 2011 go?

…well I guess it’s flown by due to the fast pace of life and all that’s been thrown at us.

From a personal stance, the last 5 months have included our oldest son making great progress at his secondary school and further developing his passion for literature and English, our middle son has secured a place at a secondary school in September and continues to love books and reading while our little lady never stops amazing us.

Our life would be hectic if this was all that filled our time but we’ve never been a family to simply do ‘hectic’! Our professional lives are also  full of drama, excitement, ambition, determination and responsibility.  As a couple we often pass each other rather like a tag team but it works – not sure how but it does.

During the last few months I also had my personal guarantee finally discharged, which was linked to the family business I placed into administration 2 years ago. This was a burden I had to quietly carry with me  - but was so freeing when lifted.  It allowed me to reflect once again at what had happened and what lessons it taught me.

Along the way I have seen friends come and go – some that stand solidly by your side and others that seem to disappear with haste. Relationships are the basis of everything, and certainly business,  but I feel that I learn more about how fragile they can be as time goes on. Just as you think you have them figured out they change. The reason is simple – we are very basic creatures and ultimately we are all here to protect ourselves and our families. This basic instinct means that our paths cross and we make friends and associates – they serve a purpose for a given time and then often they fizzle out. It can be upsetting but it’s no one’s fault, it’s who we are. Families, timing, locations, work and responsibilities often get in the way but it’s part of life.

Occasionally paths may cross at another point – and that can be pretty amazing. I owe Facebook a great deal for several paths crossing again after a long time.

Some people are more able to juggle their time and effort for others – and some are more inwardly focused but if we can take something positive away from each encounter and relationship it helps us to have empathy and passion for the relationships we will go on to make in the future. I’ve been blessed to know some amazing people in my life and I look forward to those I’m yet to meet.

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By Dani Saveker, January 9, 2011 5:27 pm

I’ve sent numerous “happy New Year” messages to friends, family and colleagues. When seeing people for the first time this year there’s always a very polite exchange of good wishes for 2011… but what does this all really mean?

For my colleagues and business associates I certainly hope that the next 12 months includes success and progress for them – both personally and for their businesses. I  wish them clients that are pleasant to deal with, that will pay on time and appreciate their efforts. I would also wish them suppliers that follow the specification,  that do their best to provide an outstanding service at the best price, help when things don’t go to plan and are also good fun to deal with. For those that face more trying times within their business or career this year, I wish them strength and the ability to know that they will overcome whatever is thrown at them.

For my family and closest friends I wish them the best possible health, the ability to follow their hearts and have good humour. Of course it would be wonderful if they all won the Lottery but I think that health and happiness have far more value. I would also hope that they can share their difficult times and find help when needed as well as share the laughter and happiness with those closest to them. To have unconditional love and support.

For those that have hurt me or my loved ones, let us down intentionally, been mean, untrustworthy or malicious – I go back to what my mother always said “what goes around comes around” – end of.

For everyone else, we all go into the New Year with  our own set of hopes and dreams – but even if these don’t quite work out I send a hope of being able to embrace whatever life throws your way and to know sometimes the horrible stuff in life is just part of the journey to happiness.

To you all… I wish you well and that you move forward during this year, learn much and be a happier and better person than you were during last year.

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By Dani Saveker, November 28, 2010 12:19 am

I received a pleasant but slightly odd message this week from an old business contact..it started with  ”You sound great…”.

I assumed that he was referring to how content I am with life and my career, but it turned out to be literal. The interview I gave in April of this year was being repeated on Radio 4 and a mutual friend had heard it and told him to tune in. You can listen to the interview by clicking here

Despite the time that has now passed since I placed Savekers Ltd in administration, back in March 2009, it clearly remains a relevant story to many. The interview covers a very personal journey for myself, my family and those employed and involved with the company – but the story isn’t just ours. Since the broadcast this week, I have been inundated with emails and messages from people that have shared similar situations and stories, people that used to work for Savekers years ago (and remember when I was born!) and others that have simply been moved by my account.

The support  and emotions shown by those that have contacted me since March 2009 are simply overwhelming and mean more to me than I can express. I’m often told that the honesty shown when recalling what happened is refreshing – it’s the only I knew how to deal with it. I continue to hope that the very painful times we went through can at least serve to help others.

I wanted to share a few of the comments I have received:

“…Good luck to you Dani; I have no doubt that your Grandfather and Great Grandfather are looking down on you with enormous pride and big smiles…”

“…Saveker’s was a very special family business and all the staff and workers belonged to that family…As I listened to you speak on the radio I too remembered the big green doors and the stone steps up to the offices. Mr Ron’s at one end and reception at the other. I have such fond memories of those happy days of employment.”

“…But I am so impressed with your website and blog and the way you battled on and dealt with practical and emotional issues with such bravery. I am full of admiration for you and my heart goes out to you”

“…just finished listening to your story on radio 4..I was absolutely transfixed and forbade anyone to talk on my school run! – It was so moving and really felt for the anguish you and many others were going through..a bereavement almost. Looks like you are doing other things, but hoping you can take the positives about the experience, and also keeping in check the weight you must feel concerning all ‘the others’ that had to look for other jobs etc.
- I could almost feel myself the weight of emotions you had to bear in having to let all these ‘friends and family’ go, and see the family tradition changing”

“…the feelings that you talk so clearly about, really reminded me of when I had to put a company into receivership ..for a moment I was transported back to being 28, … I remembered how it felt to let everyone down. Years later I realise that you cant buy that experience…I hope that neither you or I have to face it again…”

“…I truly understand what you went through, pain, raw fear, despair…. but life goes on and you recover stonger..”

“…through all this you are an inspiration to others. to me you are always an inspiration xx”

A very big thank you to all those that have taken the time to share their thoughts and feelings – and given such amazing support. The future is looking extremely happy for us now .

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By Dani Saveker, September 2, 2010 12:14 pm

I’m used to being the strong one and the girl that always carries on regardless… KEEP CALM & CARRY ON may as well be my mantre.

I quite often tell people that when you’re the Managing Director or CEO, the main thing you need to do is be able to act. Regardless of your views and feelings you have to just smile and get on with the job at hand. You really have no choice – and that’s as it should be. If you crumble then everything and everyone around you will too.

But let me give you a little insight into my world.

During all three pregnancies I worked in a wheelchair in constant pain and unable to take medication, I had daily injections of Clexane to prevent blood clots, hardly slept due to chronic pelvic pain (this was all down to SPD, a condition caused by hormones relaxing the pelvic ligaments) and ran a business. When each child was born by c-section I wasn’t able to have maternity leave, the babies came with me and I carried on from when they were a couple of weeks old. People saw me carrying on but in reality it was hell and I hate that I couldn’t have time with each child during their early years.

When I carried out an MBO, restructured the Board, made my uncle and cousin redundant, became MD, acquired 2 businesses, recovered from a major fire which wiped out production, created a new management team and set up a new manufacturing site I also happened to get divorced, be a single mum and move house – all in the same year we celebrated 100 years of the family business. No one saw the tears when I had to get rid of my family members or the sleepless nights, the holiday I spent awake 24hours a day to negotiate a deal, the fall outs in the family due to shareholdings etc.

My workforce would never have wanted to know about the times we weren’t paid or the house and car that we lost as the company failed. They wouldn’t want to know about the personal guarantee that remains hanging over us.

The day I signed the paperwork for the company’s administration in 2009 and addressed my workforce to tell them this news will stay with me forever. I was a lost and lonely little girl and it was possibly the only time the exterior cracked a little – but not for long. The next day was business as usual and my job was to rally the troops and get on with finding a buyer and trading through administration.

As much as I am proud of being able to hold it together, I often wish people could understand that things are never quite what they seem. I am not someone that looks for sympathy and I can’t abide people that choose to play “victim” but occasionally it would be nice to be allowed to hurt and cry. My husband is the only person that has seen the pain close up, especially as the company closed and I tried to find a way through the darkness. I am often accused of not asking for help – well it’s not in my makeup. I simply can’t ask even when it’s needed and so those that offer unconditional help and support are even more appreciated.

I was with one of my oldest and most trusted friends yesterday and I have never appreciated people like her as much as I do now.

When time’s are tough it filters out people that are genuinely on your side – the rest show their true colours and so as my time comes back around I will not forget those I could rely on and what really matters.