Michelle Pollard, Spider
Spotlight on Michelle Pollard, Spider
By her mid-to-late twenties, Michelle was holding senior roles, firstly in traditional recruitment agencies, and later in global online job boards.
After the birth of her daughter, Michelle decided to set up her first business, a traditional recruitment agency. However, after a very painful experience with a business partner, she had to liquidate her company. Not to be defeated she launched Spider in 2013 from her kitchen table with only a £5k credit card. It is a decision she has never regretted.
Michelle is super proud to not only own a business in the area, but also to support the local community. As well as being Chair of Suffolk Skills and Careers Festival, she is a Board Member of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce in Greater Ipswich and Suffolk Businesswomen Group.
Describe yourself in three words? Resilient, loyal and passionate.
What was your first job? I worked in a Printed Circuit Board factory as an Assembly Worker on a line. I earnt £45 for a 50-hour week and it resulted in the poor eyesight which I still have today.
What frustrates you? When people don’t do what they say they are going to.
How do you spend your leisure time? My daughter plays Rugby at Club and Regional level so much of my spare time is spent shivering from the side-lines cheering the Sudbury and Eastern Counties teams along. I also love music, festivals, holidays and camping.
What’s your favourite television programme? Complete opposites…I love ‘The Durrells’, but also ‘Peaky Blinders’ is unmissable.
What’s your favourite food? Anything savoury…I don’t have a sweet tooth, but keep me away from the cheeseboard, dips, olives and a well-cooked rib-eye.
What food do you hate? Mayonnaise and baked beans, other than that I’m good to go.
What is your biggest weakness? The fear of failure.
Where are you happiest? With positive people who support each other, my cup is always half full.
What was the first record you bought? Feelings by Morris Albert. I still remember the angst I felt when I bought it as a broken-hearted girl. I couldn’t have been more than 10 years old!
At school, what were you good at? Talking…
What one material thing could you not do without? Does gin count?
You’d go to a fancy-dress party as? Wonder Woman
What poster did you have on your bedroom wall as a child? Elvis, Elvis and more Elvis…I am a massive Elvis fan!
How many attempts before you passed your driving test? I passed first time despite my first instructor telling me that perhaps driving wasn’t for me. However, it’s a standing joke in my family as I had about 60 lessons ….as I said earlier, I hate to fail so I thought this was a clever way of passing first time!
