Sophie Mirman was thrown in at the deep end when – at the age of 13 – she was in a car accident with her parents. They were both badly injured and, a few years later, Sophie felt she had to find a way to help the family finances. She started as a very junior secretary in M&S, applied for jobs she says she wasn’t qualified for, and went on to hold the top jobs at Tie Rack, SockShop and Trotters. She discusses the all-consuming nature of expanding outside the UK and how her more cautious approach these days is, ultimately, more enjoyable. Producer: Sally Abrahams
Editor: Matt Willis
Sound: Jackie Margerum 
Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison(Image: Sophie Mirman. Credit: Pylewell)

Sophie Mirman was thrown in at the deep end when – at the age of 13 – she was in a car accident with her parents. They were both badly injured and, a few years later, Sophie felt she had to find a way to help the family finances. She started as a very junior secretary in M&S, applied for jobs she says she wasn’t qualified for, and went on to hold the top jobs at Tie Rack, SockShop and Trotters. She discusses the all-consuming nature of expanding outside the UK and how her more cautious approach these days is, ultimately, more enjoyable. Producer: Sally Abrahams Editor: Matt Willis Sound: Jackie Margerum Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison (Image: Sophie Mirman. Credit: Pylewell)

Sophie Mirman was thrown in at the deep end when – at the age of 13 – she was in a car accident with her parents. They were both badly injured and, a few years later, Sophie felt she had to find a way to help the family finances. She started as a very junior secretary in M&amp;S, applied for jobs she says she wasn’t qualified for, and went on to hold the top jobs at Tie Rack, SockShop and Trotters. She discusses the all-consuming nature of expanding outside the UK and how her more cautious approach these days is, ultimately, more enjoyable. Producer: Sally Abrahams
Editor: Matt Willis
Sound: Jackie Margerum 
Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison(Image: Sophie Mirman. Credit: Pylewell)

The Decisions That Made Me: Sophie Mirman

The definitive business podcast from the BBC. Each week, the BBC's Evan Davis is joined by bosses, entrepreneurs and industry experts, to lift the lid on how their businesses work, and what it’s like to be in charge. They discuss a big issue, a big challenge, or a big question facing their industry. From managing AI to managing millennials, from supermarkets to supercharging a new product.And our guests will share their stories of success and failure along the way.  Podcasts are published every Thursday. And as well as being a podcast, we are also available every Thursday afternoon and Tuesday evening on BBC Radio 4. You can now also listen to The Bottom Line on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play The Bottom Line”. It works on most smart speakers.The Bottom Line has published a spin off series - Decisions That Made Me - where Evan asks entrepreneurs and business leaders about the most crucial moments in their lives and careers. You can watch these episodes here: https://t.ly/oJ8lW. Got a question or a comment? Get in touch with Evan and the team on email at bottomline@bbc.co.uk.The Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University and is an EcoAudio certified production.

Society & Culture

Business

Personal Journals

The definitive business podcast from the BBC. Each week, the BBC's Evan Davis is joined by bosses, entrepreneurs and industry experts, to lift the lid on how their businesses work, and what it’s like to be in charge. They discuss a big issue, a big challenge, or a big question facing their industry. From managing AI to managing millennials, from supermarkets to supercharging a new product. And our guests will share their stories of success and failure along the way. Podcasts are published every Thursday. And as well as being a podcast, we are also available every Thursday afternoon and Tuesday evening on BBC Radio 4. You can now also listen to The Bottom Line on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play The Bottom Line”. It works on most smart speakers. The Bottom Line has published a spin off series - Decisions That Made Me - where Evan asks entrepreneurs and business leaders about the most crucial moments in their lives and careers. You can watch these episodes here: https://t.ly/oJ8lW. Got a question or a comment? Get in touch with Evan and the team on email at bottomline@bbc.co.uk. The Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University and is an EcoAudio certified production.

The definitive business podcast from the BBC. Each week, the BBC's Evan Davis is joined by bosses, entrepreneurs and industry experts, to lift the lid on how their businesses work, and what it’s like to be in charge.&nbsp;They discuss a big issue, a big challenge, or a big question facing their industry. From managing AI to managing millennials, from supermarkets to supercharging a new product.And our guests will share their stories of success and failure along the way. &nbsp;Podcasts are published every Thursday. And as well as being a podcast, we are also available every Thursday afternoon and Tuesday evening on BBC Radio 4.&nbsp;You can now also listen to The Bottom Line on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play The Bottom Line”. It works on most smart speakers.The Bottom Line has published a spin off series - Decisions That Made Me - where Evan asks entrepreneurs and business leaders about the most crucial moments in their lives and careers.&nbsp;You can watch these episodes here: https://t.ly/oJ8lW. Got a question or a comment? Get in touch with Evan and the team on email at bottomline@bbc.co.uk.The Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University and is an EcoAudio certified production.

Share The Decisions That Made Me: Sophie Mirman

Sign up to save your podcasts

The Decisions That Made Me: Sophie Mirman

The Decisions That Made Me: Sophie Mirman

More shows like The Bottom Line

Global News Podcast

From Our Own Correspondent

More or Less

Newshour

Wake Up to Money

Money Box

In Our Time

The Documentary Podcast

6 Minute English

Learning English Conversations

Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4

The Infinite Monkey Cage

F1: Chequered Flag

Moral Maze

The Life Scientific

The Briefing Room

Political Thinking with Nick Robinson

Newscast

Sliced Bread

You're Dead to Me

Cyber Hack

The Rest Is Politics

The Rest Is Politics: Leading

The Rest Is Money

Radical with Amol Rajan