Healthy success of a free spirit CUTTING EDGE

Jess Connarty fits any and all of the above perfectly. Yet it's difficult to pin a simple tag on her. She's unconventional, and yet she can be very conformist. She is very straightforward, but not above a little subterfuge to gain advantage in a male-dominated business world.

She does things her way, and cares little if some might think some of her ways bizarre. Like, for example, the fact that she uses astrology to help her recruit staff for Adam Hart Healthcare, the company she launched three years ago at the age of 45 in Airdrie with her redundancy money.

''Other people laugh - the Entrepreneurial Exchange think its hysterical - but I have always believed in it. I look at people's star signs, I believe a lot of your characteristics come through in your star sign. I think it is important that among the qualities I look for is whether someone is likely to be compatible with the people they will be working with.

''It is not the only factor I look at, but it is one of them and it is important. It hasn't let me down yet. As I say, it works for me.''

Connarty's own qualities come across powerfully. She sees challenges where others see problems, she is very shrewd, accutely intelligent and hard working. She's also a pragmatist in the search for success.

When she started Adam Hart Healthcare, she deliberately chose a male sounding name because the industry is still mainly male dominated. Her own name, Jess Connarty, often confuses new business contacts who think they are going to be meeting a man. She likes it that way. It means she can ''get a foot in the door''. Some business men are still more comfortable dealing with a man.

Her role model is David Murray, the multi-millionaire who fought back from a tragic accident to build a business empire which includes Rangers.

''I used to say if I was going to be made redundant, I would send him a dozen blue roses along with my CV. He's someone I would love to meet. I admire his courage and his ability.''

Connarty left school at 15, without qualifications. When she married, she spent 10 years at home raising her two children. Later she worked her way up through the ranks to become commercial manager of a healthcare firm. When it was sold, she decided to set up Adam Hart Healthcare, which produces ''aids for daily living''.

Turnover last year was #500,000, but next year it is expected to grow to #3m or #4m on the back of new branded products she hopes will deliver world-wide sales.

Jess Connarty, by the way, is a Scorpio.

What made you decide to set up your own company?

I had two children at university, no income and a mortgage, so it was a major decision. I was never afraid of failure. You would have to look at that kind of thing as a learning experience.

So if the company had gone down, would you have launched another?

I certainly would. Part of the problem in this country is that failure is always on people's minds. You need to be positive, think of how you can make a success of it. Then it takes away the fear and you can enjoy yourself.

Would going to university have made your career path easier?

No, not at that time. I think it would today. One of the main reasons I started my own business was that when I started looking around for a job after the firm I worked for was taken over, I found that in every single case they were looking for a graduate at the level I wanted to go in at.

Given that experience, would you recommend people go to university?

I would recommend that they go for further education, but not necessarily for a degree.

Can people still work their way to the top without a degree?

Most definitely, but you need to want to work and you need to have ambition, the desire to learn and to move yourself and your company forward.

That's what I look for, people who are ambitious and confident.

What other qualities do you seek?

I am looking for honesty, commitment, people with an open mind, people who are outspoken and unafraid to voice an opinion. They need to be able to take criticism without being upset, and they have to be able to work together as a team.

What mistakes do people make at interviews?

I don't think they are prepared. Most haven't taken the opportunity to do a bit of research on the business and its markets.

When you were looking for a job, how did you go about it?

I always go through an agency, because that's where the better companies go. I think it improves your chances of a good job. At one time I did clerical work for a whisky company, but you felt that no matter how much work you did, you were only a number there.

I went to an agency and told them I wanted to work for a small company where the owner was involved in the business. I wanted people to see what my worth was. If you are part of a multi-national that doesn't happen to the same extent.

Do you expect job applicants to dress well?

Yes, they need to be clean, but it depends on the job. I wouldn't expect a suit and tie and shiny shoes if they were coming to be a welder.

Would facial jewellery bother you?

I don't think it would, too much. I think it would show individuality.

Which traits in the Scots character are an advantage, and which are a disadvantage?

Scots have more disadvantages. We put ourselves down too much, we are too negative. We can be dull. Look at the clothes we wear, full of navy, black and brown. We should be bright and cheerful and promote ourselves more.

Scots have great skills, they are friendly and outgoing. Going into business allows you the freedom to express yourself. My staff know their opinion matters. If you ask someone's opinion, even if you disagree with it, it is important that you do not ridicule it, because it will never be offered again.

What guidance would you offer people starting out in life?

It is important to do what you want to do, no matter how long it takes. If you have a dream, keep going for it regardless of setbacks. It is so important to enjoy what you are doing because you will be doing it for the rest of your life. It makes life so much easier.

How important is learning languages?

Very. We are going abroad and looking for companies we can do business with. I think everyone is looking to export or even import now.

I am trying to learn myself. I have done a wee bit of French and German. I listen to languages tapes in the car when I am travelling. I was travelling abroad for some years as a commercial manager, and I realised how important it is.

What irritates you and what impresses you about people?

I hate unfairness. That upsets me most, and I also dislike falseness. Honesty and openness are what impresses me most, and people who are confident.

Final nuggets of advice?

Be yourself, and be true to yourself.