Natasha meets Britt Lintner, founder of Britt Lintner womenswear, partner to much-loved husband and mother of two.

Britt Lintner is an inspirational woman. This is indisputable. She set up her business from a sweat shop in her living room! Today she has an atelier in Holland Park, London, a loyal customer base, a growing brand, and her first retail concession in Harrods. By Natasha Claydon

What did you do this morning?

• The usual. I am woken up by my two boys around 6:30-7:00 am every single day! We watch a Disney film for a bit whilst we all thaw out in bed (the only TV I ever watch - seriously and sadly - I've given up on the list of movies I'd love to watch). By 7:45, it's downstairs to the kitchen to start making breakfast, fresh-squeezed orange juice and some mandatory espresso from my beloved Nespresso machine. I fantasize on a regular basis about lie-ins from days of old...

  Lately, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I'm desperately trying to get to our in-house gym at the GLG office by 7:30 for a 30-minute session with the personal trainers there (30 minutes is enough!). They've been on my case to take 'time out' for myself.

Who inspires you?

• Oprah Winfrey, Madonna and Coco Chanel to boot. I say good morning to Coco every day (I have a postcard of her on my refrigerator from my friend Susan Boster). I try to catch an Oprah episode or an O magazine whenever I can and I love Madonna.  For all the criticism she gets, I admire her drive and business sense. She doesn't give up. It sounds cheesy but I remember going to her 'Reinvention' show many years ago in Paris and at the very end, huge LCD screens closed and the words 'REINVENT YOURSELF' popped up. I thought to myself, 'God dammit, I'm going to', as I had been in a rut for a while.

How would you describe your earlier career?

• I worked like a dog in the finance world with 5:30 a.m. starts since I was 21 (through until I was 32), straight after graduating from university. My parents were traditional and wouldn't let me go back-packing around Europe or be a ski bum for a season.  They said I'd had enough fun. In hindsight, although I resented it then, I'm happy now because it enabled me to get a head start on life.

What has been your defining moment?

• You are going to think I'm nuts but I don't think I've experienced my defining moment yet, stay tuned.

  (I wonder, but don’t say, whether Britt's moment could have been that Madonna show in Paris.)

What makes this all worthwhile for you?

• Definitely not the money because it's close to impossible to make money in retail. It's about the ride, the people I meet, the experiences and the unbelievable education as a result.  I'm a hyper curious cat so I enjoy being busy.

What's your favourite item of clothing in your wardrobe?

• This is an impossible question. I can't remember a time not being completely absorbed by clothing and accessories.  I practically have OCD when it comes to my closet. I am tempted to buy myself horse blinders when I walk around Mayfair between GLG meetings to keep from looking in the shop windows (and buying!). Not stepping into at least one for a few minutes to feel inspired is a great feat in my day.

  (Remarkably I get Britt’s shortlist!)

  An off-white Chanel bag, a brown sable coat (yes, I'm a fur person), Matthew Williamson Egyptian looking platforms and lately my new Mother of Pearl (you must check this label out!) silk shirt from their SS11 collection (it has Grace Jones smoking a butt with her head in a bouquet of flowers, it sounds odd but it works).

  (Britt gives me the lookbooks! I look, I see, I want.)

Do you have a hidden talent?

• No, I wish I did.  I have those days where I feel the only thing I'm capable of, is washing windows.