Tag: entrepreneurship - Page 6

Growing up in rural township, Charters Towers, has its positives and negatives. Firstly, with so much time on your hands, you really do have time to think, and dream.

The negatives, believe it or not, I forgot. But my journey back as an adult, the ‘small town syndrome’ hit me firmly straight in the face, knocked me back a few steps and as I was about to trip, I somehow found my feet and continued.

Challenges that we face today, are the making of us tomorrow. How we cope under extreme pressure and instability, really acts only as an indicator of how well we can weather a storm. 

No business in the world has smooth sailing every day. It may look like some do, but they don't - I can assure you of that.

I am in a privileged position these days, as I work 'on' the business and not 'in' the business. I have changed from being a business owner from 25 years of age to 30, then an entrepreneur from 30 to 41 years of age, and now I am definitely an innovator. Our direction is ahead of the curve, and at the forefront of marketing globally. We don't look at our own backyard as our competitive landscape, but instead a global market that continually changes and with that, we need to adapt and forge ahead with new ways in which to do business.

Yesterday was the 8 September 2016. It was a day that I will remember for a very long time.

As an entrepreneur, I work really hard to ensure that my business meets its goals and provides a rewarding workplace for the employees who tirelessly work to ensure that our clients receive an exceptional service.

It's taken 10 years plus to be successful to a point that I can actually look at the company and see that as a team we have achieved something that is unique.

It's 2 a.m. in the morning. I lay awake having just flown in the day before from Los Angeles. My eye's are sore, and somewhat tired, but my mind is wide awake. I can't seem to get back to sleep. I get up and get a drink from the fridge.

I'd be lying if I said that there weren't quite a few things that have held me back as an entrepreneur, and been the catalyst to 'not being an overnight success story'. 

After 17 years in business, I have created my dream job. I work for no-one. I answer to no-one. I go to work everyday with enthusiasm because I don't have to go to work - I just love every single bit about my job.

Next week is a big one. I will be speaking at the most esteemed women's conference in Australia, the inaugural Inspiring Rare Birds Con, founded by serial entrepreneur and mentor to many, the beautiful Jo Burston. 

We are taught to do so many things in business; how to hire people, how to inspire teams, how to make money, how to get sales in the door, how to increase your profits. The list is endless, and somewhat exhausting. How, as an entrepreneur, can we get it all right?

Never stretch yourself so far that when the rope can't take it any more, it springs back so far that there is far too many creases to fix. The business person who has the most ideas, doesn't always win, unless of course, they have a team of people who have learned that while they may have great ideas, they are terrible at execution.

Sometimes I think I have it all sorted. Things will be normal, or at the very least, my version thereof.

Many of us crave stability in our lives, yet when something becomes too stable, we reject it or think that something is wrong.

Every year we speak to hundreds of entrepreneurs, all seeking to grow their businesses.

Some are able to achieve this successfully, as they have a business plan and marketing strategy in place, and they have invested in all the tools to gear them up to achieve their business goals.