My Bottom Line: Eileen Gittins, Blurb

Eileen Gittens is the founder of make-your-own book company Blurb. She says the risk of starting a company is very personal because of all of the costs involved.

She spent the first year and a half building her company until it could be financed.

Eileen says when you convince people to come and work for your company and it has not yet taken off, you worry about each of those people and their families.

The pressure to continue to build a business, she adds, is not only personal but it becomes communal.

Eileen appeared on The Bottom Line which is broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service. Listen again via the download or watch it on the BBC News Channel.

Find more business wisdom from other chief executives on the My Bottom Line website.