WELL-TRAVELLED Jessica Houghton is the managing director of Liverpool-based language services firm, Expert Language Solutions.

Jessica, 28, used the experience of working in several countries to set up on her own two years ago. This was her working day:

7am:I wake up and head straight out for a run around The Mystery Park, in Wavertree. After a good 40 minutes, I get ready for work and have some hearty muesli for breakfast, all set for another challenging day ahead.

8.30am:I like to be in the office before nine o’clock strikes when the phone starts ringing and emails for the day from European-based clients start coming through.

First on my agenda is responding to any enquiries that arrive in my inbox overnight from overseas clients. We do considerable work with journalists located all around the world, from Uruguay to Ukraine. We communicate with these clients on a daily basis and commission the transcription and translation of numerous interviews to our in-country transcribers.

9am:My assistant manager arrives at my office, so we make sure all current commissioned work is up to date and set the agenda for the day ahead.

9.30am:I like to dedicate one hour every morning to finding new business opportunities. This involves researching appropriate contacts, writing sales pitch letters and calling potential clients from, mainly, the private sector, such as legal firms and SMEs with international operations or intentions to embark upon overseas trade.

10.30am:I head out for a couple of meetings with existing and potential clients to discuss ways we can work together.

1pm:Although years of living in Spain and Latin America have encouraged me to take an afternoon siesta after a generous serving of paella, I take a light salad lunch to fight any lethargy so I can get back to some productive work at my desk.

3.30pm: I liaise with my accountant to ensure our team is paid on time. I then meet with my tender management consultant for a couple of hours to draw up objectives for winning public and private sector contracts.

6pm:I head out to a networking event to meet like-minded entrepreneurs who are also keen to generate new professional leads and support other local businesses in their efforts to grow successfully.

8pm: I arrive home and cook to relax and unwind after a thought-provoking day of work. I like to check my emails briefly after dinner, since I like to respond as promptly as possible to any enquiries.

While I listen to some music in the background, I post an article on Expert Languages’ blog and contribute expert advice in translation industry forums.

11pm:Satisfied with another enjoyable and productive day of work, I’m off to bed, eager to grow the business a little bit more tomorrow.