It just takes hard work and commitment!

Entrepreneur Jane Dickson describes how she got started. I was working as an IT Manager for a small publishing company $($in fact, I was standing $(1)$ for the actual manager while she was away on maternity leave$)$ when the company was taken $(2)$ by a large multinational media organisation. It was in the depths of the recession, and initially our new owners promised to see our small company $(3).$ the hard times. Things got worse, though, and they finally backed $(4)$ of their agreement. Our company closed $(5).$ We were all made redundant $-$ it was horrible!

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do next. I $(6)$ down several offers of work as I didn't want to rush into anything. Then, one day, I woke up and thought: $\text{'}$I$\text{'}$m going to set $(7)$ my own business!$\text{'}$ At first it was tough. I had to $(8)$ to everything myself $-$ I was the only employee! $-$ but I set $(9)$ It with dedication and refused to give up$,$ whatever happened. Over the last five years, as the company's grown, I've taken more and more staff. Dickson's now employs over five hundred people! I set $(11)$ to be successful, and I've managed it$.$ I feel very lucky, although, to be honest, luck has nothing to do with it$.$ II just takes hard work and commitment. I don't feel satisfied yet, though. We're bringing $(12)$ new products all the time, and I want to continue doing that. I also want to speed $(13)$ make it more efficient. I$\text{'}$m not planning to slow $(14)$ our production process to any time soon!