Mandy is flying the flag for more business success

MANDY SCOTT has made flags to entertain millions.

Her company, AA Flags, in Consett, County Durham, is responsible for colourful displays for Royal celebrations and international sporting events.

It flags are used on The Mall, in London, and have adorned Wembley Stadium’s pitch and stands.

However, the satisfaction of seeing her company’s designs on show is matched by her passion for singing.

Ms Scott, who founded AA in 1992 from her dining room table with a sewing machine, a typewriter and telephone, is known in pubs and clubs across the region.

Her influences include the band Texas; though she jokes some of her performances are more akin to Smooth Radio’s timeless playlist.

A welcome distraction from work, she combines it with a love for watercolour painting and writing, which has seen her fictional work published and sold in Waterstones.

Her musical talent has also delivered extra benefits.

The company made a new standard for the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association, and members have asked her to sing at an event in Wallsend, North Tyneside.

She said: “I’ve been singing for about five years.

“Like everyone, I started off on the karaoke and built up from there.

“I was looking for something else to do.

“I’d been making flags for 22 years, and making them for another company too, but the time was right to look at another passion.

“I don’t want to do it for a living, but it’s a new avenue for me and a release.

“I really enjoy it and the times when you get to sing for a group like the Malaya association are great.”

Her company, which operates from South Industrial Estate, carries out work for hotels and corporate clients, and it is a favourite with football fans and the Ministry of Defence.

Last year, it played a key role in the London Olympic Games and the Queen’s diamond jubilee.

Ms Scott was also awarded a NatWest Everywoman Award, with judges hailing her as an inspirational female entrepreneur.

She added: “When I was made redundant, I started off at home with £500 borrowed from my dad and just started ringing around contacts.

“I loved the industry and knew there were markets I could target.

“Gradually, we got bigger and converted the cellar in the house as a little workshop, before I moved into a big Victorian house.

“We worked on the top two floors and lived on the bottom two.”

Five minutes with...Mandy Scott

Favourite North-East building?

I love the Sage, for the iconic design and the acoustics in Hall One. I’ve seen Beverley Knight and Paul Carrack there and it’s a great venue.

What was your first job?

My first job when I left school at 16 was an office junior for Youngs Rewinds in Newcastle.

Mr Young was my boss and Mrs Harrison was the office manager. They were lovely people and I’ve got great memories. I was employed on a Youth Training Scheme, and I think the wage was about £40 a week.

Your worst job?

When I was saving up for my first car, a shiny red Vauxhall Chevette, as well as my office job I had a part-time job as a waitress at the Three Mile Inn, in Gosforth. The public are very hard to please sometimes.

What would you cook for me for dinner?

The Chinese takeaway is on my speed dial. My hubby Neil does the cooking in our house, so if he cooked it would be fillet steak, rare.

What would your superpower be?

I would be Super Doc and be able to cure all the nasty diseases in the world.

Name four people, dead or alive, who would be at your perfect dinner party

My mother, who died when I was 18, Elvis Presley, Jeremy Clarkson, and Neil. I do very little without Neil; he’s the love of my life.

Most expensive thing you’ve bought, other than car or house, and how much?

I recently bought my first piece of art by Norman Cornish, one of the Pitmen Painters from Spennymoor.

It’s an old man walking his dog in the rain, all my friends hate it. It was £7,000. I had to tell my daughter it was valuable in case she takes it to the charity shop.

Who is the best person to follow on Twitter and why?

I’ve got a Twitter account, but I must admit to preferring Facebook. I’m a Facebook stalker; I observe but don’t comment much. I believe social networking is the ruin of modern society.

When did you last cry?

When Paul O’Grady was at Battersea Dogs home and a little black poodle called Noodles had to be put to sleep, I cried my eyes out.

What is your greatest achievement?

I’m not one to blow my own trumpet, but keeping a manufacturing company running in this economic climate is the biggest accomplishment so far in life.

Competition from overseas on textile goods is massive, so we’ve struggled to survive.

What’s the best piece of advice in business you’ve ever been given?

Take your blinkers off, listen to all the free advice out there, and take the odd risk, it’s exciting. Treat your staff with respect and you’ll get it back.

Favourite animal and why?

Dogs, I’ve always owned one. Bob, my little old Border Terrier, is always pleased to see me after a long day at work. He loves cuddles.

Last band you saw live?

Dust Town Dogs

Describe a perfect night in.

Jason Statham movie, expensive candles, new pyjamas, a bottle of Chateau Neuf De Pape and some hand-made chocolate liqueur cherries from The Chocolate Box, in Barnard Castle.

Snuggled up on the couch with the heating on full blast.

In another life I would be...

Sharleen Spiteri, from Texas.

I sing in pubs and clubs at weekends, but would love to be in a band. Unfortunately the only instrument I can play is tambourine.

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Sarah Millican, she’s hilarious.

What’s your secret talent?

I write short stories, and have had seven published in anthologies by Constable and Robinson. I paint watercolour pictures of animals, and I’m not a bad singer either. It’s important to have hobbies; mine are more like passions really. They take me away from work and all the important decisions of the day.