Wonder women!

Enjoying the sunshine on Mothering Sunday gave me the time to think about all the wonderful women who have helped to shape my life, my career and my new business.

There's my mum, who doesn't really understand what I do but when I announced I wanted to be a journalist at the age of 12 she used her wages from a cleaning job to pay for shorthand and typing lessons - skills that I still use every day. And last year when I faced redundancy she encouraged me to seize the opportunity of working for myself rather than jump into another corporate job.

When I joined the NHS almost 20 years ago I was very lucky that my first CEO, Moira, gave me great opportunities to develop my knowledge and skills, from going on an exchange trip to America to project managing an organisational merger - something communication professionals don't usually get the opportunity to do.

Linda, my first line manager in the NHS, became my management role model. She expected - and got - great things from her team, but I always felt she was on my side, and she never left at the end of the day without thanking us for what we'd achieved.

I've been privileged to set up and develop great teams, many staffed with women that are stars in their own right - Jeanette, Jo, Adele, Kelly, Amanda, Marie, Clare, Sarah, Heather, Kathryn, Janine, Debi and Gill. They are wonderful women juggling homes, families and careers with talent, enthusiasm, common sense and good humour. We worked hard together, made a huge difference to the organisations and services we supported, and won national awards.

There's my close friends - Alison, Deb, Joan and Vanessa (who also happens to be my sister) - they've each had their own battles to fight but have also taken the time to be there for me when things got tough, with wise words, lots of laughter ... and some wine!

Sentry PR initially got off the ground because three women had faith in my skills. Mary, Susan and Kate were former colleagues in different organisations and when I set up the business they were not only supportive of this adventure I was embarking on, but also they recognised that they could use my skills and experience to support their own organisations.

I'm currently helping an NHS trust with a difficult communication issue - and again I'm having the privilege of working with a group of wonderful women. And when I go home I have the pleasure of the company of two young women starting to make their mark on the world - Lauren and Hannah - my creative talented daughters who will flourish in life because they too value the support they get from their own network of female friends.

Thankfully the supportive women I owe my career to outweigh the negative, neurotic, energy sapping women that I've also come across. We've all met women who try to make themselves look good by belittling other women and their achievements. Too often they are in senior roles but when I've come across them I've quickly escaped from their influence. Building a thriving company is one way of demonstrating to them that there is another - better - way of doing business.

So as I celebrate the successful first six months of Sentry PR I want to thank all the amazing women who have helped me so far - I couldn't have done it without you and I hope you know how special you are.

Of course it hasn't just been women who've supported me. There is also a network of brilliant men who have been a positive influence on my life, but I'll wait until Father's Day to salute them!

Caroline Parnell is the owner of Sentry PR - doing great work for great people. If you'd like to know more about how Sentry PR can help with your communication and marketing challenges call Caroline on 0780 7671728, email carpar@live.co.uk or check out the website www.sentrypr.co.uk