One of Britain’s most famous female entrepreneurs, Ruth Badger has come along way since winning over the nation’s hearts as the straight-talking sales manager from Wolverhampton. Now with three flourishing businesses, and another waiting in the wings until the economy recovers, it’s no surprise that her new Academy – with lectures from the woman herself – has been an instant hit.

Last issue you predicted by the end of this year the lenders’ appetite would start to return and property prices will stabilise, do you still believe that?
No, I’m in the financial industry and not one person thought it was going to be as bad as it has been. Although property prices went up earlier in the year, it’s not sustainable, the appetite isn’t going to come back even though the government has spent millions and millions in bank bail-outs; the liquidity just hasn’t come back into the market, so it hasn’t washed through. The government is hypocritical, look at the banks that have been nationalised; the rates haven’t been passed on to the customers.

How do you think the government is coping with it?
I don’t think they are. It’s absolutely disgusting how the government are dealing with everything – I mean how much money was pumped into all the security for the G20 summit? It really does increase my blood pressure when you look at all the expenses. I know there’s an element of propaganda from the media but it’s a fact that every single politician has got their snout in the trough – from the Chancellor to the Home Secretary, it’s so wrong. To make matters worse Labour is meant to protect the working class and enable a good, equal level of lifestyle. The Inland Revenue is putting more and more small businesses into administration because they can’t pay their fees and then they’re going through and making sure they pay every pence of tax, while the government and their employees can claim whatever they want. They need to get into the real world. The long and short of it is everybody needs to cut the cloth accordingly and I think that needs to start at Downing Street.

Do you think we’ll return to that period of ready money, have we learnt our lesson?
No, I don’t think we’ve learnt our lesson. The problem with the market is not the fact we’ve stopped demanding, it’s the fact the supply has gone, the moment the supply returns we’ll be back up there. We’ve been educated on free credit for the last 12 years. I still know people who are using their credit cards and companies that are giving credit cards out. There’s a fundamental issue that no one’s been talking about at the moment, which is all the people that have been made redundant were the people supporting the system. The whole benefit system is going to collapse, and nobody is pressing that issue, we’re all too busy talking about bank bail-outs. It’s an absolute mess.

Would you consider going into politics?
I would absolutely love to be Prime Minister of this country and I can assure you one thing; this country wouldn’t be in the bloody mess that it is. The only reason I haven’t is because there isn’t a party that represents my view. I certainly couldn’t join Labour because I’m far too honest and sensible, and I’m not in it for myself. I couldn’t join the Conservatives because I don’t think they’ve got any clear direction on what they’re actually proposing and the Liberal Democrats are a waste of space.

How are your businesses going?
I’ve got three businesses now, the Ruth Badger Consultancy, which is going from strength to strength – we saved 100 businesses from going bust in September, a letting agent and I’ve recently launched The Ruth Badger Academy (http://www.ruthbadgeracademy.com). This offers solutions in regard to training – so important for businesses because if you get people up to skill level you save cost on recruitment and redundancy, and you increase business performance. We’re currently working with people who have been made redundant and getting them back into work and we’ve got a 100% success rate at the moment, we’re teaching them to think how employers think. I also have a financial brokerage, but it’s dormant at the moment, just while I wait for the economy to recover.

What advice would you give to people who have just been made redundant?
Work out what you want, don’t just apply for anything because it’s a de-motivator. Go on my website and see if we can help because the important thing is to understand where your transferable skills are. If you apply for a job that’s lower or higher than your skills, you won’t get it and you’ll feel even more de-motivated. Look for a stepping-stone and most importantly sell yourself on your CV.

Obviously it’s not easy for employers to make those people redundant, what advice would you give them?
The most important thing is to look that you’re cutting the right cost in the business, don’t make a knee-jerk reaction. You need to work out your cost base and what is required. Employers need to make sure they’ve got the right people on board with objectives, and that they’re actually motivating and performing. No business can afford to carry dead wood, but I wouldn’t slash people just to cut costs.

Is there anything you wish you’d known when you first started in business?
Yes but no, because by the errors you make you actually learn with strength. I do wish I’d known more of the pitfalls though, you have to expect the unexpected, if you live like that you’re always prepared.

Do you think there’s a characteristic that successful businesswomen share?
Yes there are two, they are a decision-makers and a doers. There are a lot of talkers out there, and I’m fed up of meeting them.