She was a finalist in the Apprentice and now counts Lord Sugar as a business partner, but Scarlett Allen-Horton isn’t stopping there.

Founder of Harper Fox Search Partners, her purpose is to change the face of STEM; placing more senior women and leaders from underrepresented communities into top positions.

From raising her two daughters to speaking  on global stages, in this ‘What A Woman’ we get to know the incredible Scarlett Allen-Horton…

It goes without saying that you are *quite* the woman! Tell us a bit about your business journey so far… 

Thank you :- ) Well I am often described as a highly accomplished Recruitment Leader, Business Partner to Lord Sugar, BBC Apprentice Finalist, innovative entrepreneur and founder of the multi-award winning Harper Fox Search Partners. A keynote speaker, business coach, board advisor and voluntary ambassador for numerous charitable and purpose driven organisations…oh and my most important role- mother to two wonderful daughters!

What inspired you to set up your business and what have been the most significant steps in growing it to where you have to date?

I always wanted to be my own boss!  However you realise that you are always accountable whether that be to stakeholders or customers.  My main purpose for doing so was to recruit and place senior females and ethnic minority leaders at the top across the STEM sectors!  And change the landscape of true board diversity and I’m delighted to say we have been very successful in doing so.  Also, the flexibility of dropping and collecting my daughters to and from school was a key element for me- the flexibility to do so.

Did you dive straight into entrepreneurial life, or did you take your time planning?

After working successfully in global corporate recruitment for 10 years, I took the plunge- it was something I’d thought about for years, but the opportunity came and I took it, with less than a month to generate revenue…it was intense!  However, I did it and in the last 6 years we have gone from strength to strength and never looked back.  However, the grounding of those first years in corporate was absolutely instrumental.

Business support comes in so many forms – accelerators, mentors, finance, and networking, to name a few. What support have you found the most significant in helping you to start and scale?

Interestingly I didn’t go down any of those routes initially, however after going on BBC The Apprentice two years into launching Harper Fox Partners, I secured investment for the business and a partnership with Lord Sugar, which really gave me the confidence to scale- since we have scaled, opened another office in the US and I have sought coaching, so I am a huge advocate of support and accountability!

What’s on your vision board this year?

Really pushing my speaking further, I have a vision to be speaking and engaging stages on a big scale- which scares me!  But a challenge is always what excites me!  Many other things too!

They say “if you don’t ask, you don’t get” so what’s the magic bullet that will help you scale and who do you need to make it happen?

You need a phenomenal team simply put- a team better than you.  As Steven says every business is a recruitment business and I couldn’t agree more- attracting incredible talent and looking after your team and valuing the people you work with properly = scalability and a very happy workplace.

Apparently, a founder’s morning routine says a lot about them. Talk us through yours…

Well currently I’m a 6am gym ‘girl’, make my bed, kiss my daughters, say thank you to God, go to the gym, train hard, listen to a podcast- for me it’s always focused on growth, healing, relationships, or business- bring my daughters to school, and into the office for first meetings!  My days are longer- but I’m ready to go!

What are your non-negotiables, in both business and life?

Passion, Purpose and Profit!  Mixed with kindness, laughter and ethical fairness.

As a successful founder, how easy do you actually find it trying to have work/life balance?

I don’t- there is always sacrifice.  But I choose this because I desire the outcomes, there are days I work until 10pm and days I do the school run, however as along as I have a very happy home and children and a business that is thriving with a happy team- I am happy.  I always focus on finding the Joy- because that is what life is really about :- )

Are there any go-to resources you’d recommend to fellow founders – be that books, podcasts, memberships, or something else entirely?

I am a massive podcast fan, my favs include Lewis Howes, Jay Shetty, Tom and Lisa Bilyeu.  I’m really into what makes people tick, the neuro-science and patterns that sit behind this and how to get the best from people too!

On the subject of advice, what’s the most BS advice you’ve ever received? Did you ignore it straight away or learn the hard way?

Well when I decided that my search firm would specialise in EDI, I had a client tell me to stay well clear…but it was my passion, experience and I felt it inside, so I continued forward and it was the best decision we made :- )  Plus giving me an opportunity to serve others and making positive change, which I value so highly!

Finally, we believe in the power of celebrating your wins. What are you most proud of?

More than anything I am so proud of creating such a happy home with my daughters and watching them grow into incredible women of colour. Aside from this growing my own businesses and having the self-belief (which has not come easy at all!) to do so.  I’m proud I took action and did it!

Find out more about Scarlett over on her website: scarlett-lily.com.

WHAT. A. WOMAN!

Do you know a founder that will inspire The 51% Club community?
Get in touch with us and tell us a bit about her story: girlpower@the51percent.club