Just 18% of companies in the UK are led by women, and while data suggests female entrepreneurs are on the rise, men still receive more funding and are entrusted with higher average loans to get them started.In an eight-part series every Tuesday, Money blog reporter Jess Sharp speaks to women who are bossing it in their respective fields - hearing their stories, struggles and advice for those who want to follow in their footsteps. This week, she has spoken to Teresa Payne, the managing partner of law firm Parfitt Cresswell...Teresa Payne's route to success was far from traditional.Now the owner of the successful Parfitt and Cresswell, with offices in London, Berkshire, Surrey, Sussex and Kent, Teresa's journey started in a small mining town in south Wales.Growing up in a working class family, she left school at 16 with no qualifications, and "low expectations" for her future.A few years later, in 1987, while in her early 20s, she gave birth to her son and got married.It wasn't until aro...
