Recently Business Chicks posted on its FaceBook page an open invitation 'what would you ask an entrepreneur if you had the chance?' Well that is para phrasing really... but I thought I would tak on answer the questions posed.
Q: Sarah Louise What is the one piece of advice you were given as you were starting out that you would pass onto others?
A: Hi Sarah, the one piece advise - or the one question I ask anybody who is starting out is 'Why?' be really clear about why you do what you do... and no one will be able to slow you down.
Q: Jillian Kingsford Smith How do you manage to fit it all in?" ie life, work, fitness & family?
A: Hi Jillian, Who said we fit it all in... my kids probably think I'm a lousy mother, my dog definitely claims he is neglected... (Janine Allis told us that her husband claimed she was a 'laptop' dancer.) Even if I don't have a lot of time... I do make sure I am focused on what I am doing at the time, and really listening to whoever I am with. There is no point yearning to be somewhere else or playing the guilt game. We too are muddling through the best we can. My personal motto is 'if it is meant to be it is up to me' - so there is no point making the blame game. Work out what is really important, what you are best at, and get help with the rest. (I'd like to outsource fitness quit frankly - but apparently there are some things we do have to do ourselves.)
Q: Toni Bramley After being screwed by 3 different website designers I would ask Naomi what's the 2 most important questions to ask when choosing a design firm
A: Hi Toni, Web development and design can be tricky... I am not much help here. I had a similar frustration with external consultants in my early days. So I had to bring it in house. A web developer was the first hire at RedBalloon. We now have a whole bunch of professionals completely dedicated to design, database, architecture, User Interface, programming and other things I did not even know existed. The RedBalloon website (have you seen the latest version) is so critical to who we are - we wanted to have these very precious people in house. Sorry not much help here really.
Q: Fran Blake What do u believe ur #1 personality trait is that has helped u succeed?
A: Hi Fran, I'd say my #1 trait is persistence, resilience and naivety... (is that one?) I truly believed in what we do, I never ever doubted it, and I had fabulous support. Maybe my best trait is gathering an amazing team.. and aligning them to the vision
Q: Angela Sedran What's the most cost-effective way to get your brand out there?
A: Hi Angela, The best way to get 'it' out there, cost effectively, is to deliver an exceptional customer experience. The cheapest and most authentic marketing is having other people talk about you. And they will in spades if they have something worth talking about.
Quite happy to answer any questions... so do keep them coming
Fit to be an entrepreneur.
I’m no spring chicken, and I was alarmed recently to discover a few aches and pains. Fitness has never been a natural thing for me. I have really had to work very hard to discipline myself to get out and go for a run, turn up to the gym, or do a yoga practice.
Instead of just telling myself ‘to grow old gracefully’, I decided I needed an insight into my overall health; a snapshot of how old my body is – not just how old it feels. I discovered that my body is considered to be six years younger than I actually am. Needless to say I was thrilled. (This snapshot assessment is now a RedBalloon experience – and probably a perfect gift to give that ‘fabulous father’ who keeps telling you how young he is.)
The naturopath gave me a printed report and said with just a few alterations to my lifestyle – I could feel amazing – and keep my body even younger.
So I have taken on drinking much more water. And for a month I am ‘detoxing’ which means: no dairy, wheat, alcohol, sugar; and increasing my fish oil and magnesium. Only a week has passed and I feel like a new woman. And I know it is working because the kids are telling me ‘you are soooo embarrassing’ full of the joys of life.
Worth a try – and I am going to stop referring to myself as ‘the old chook’ and start acting like a spring chicken.
I was at my gym this morning (Vision Drummoyne) and one of the quotes on the wall was... "If you want to make your dreams come true - first you must wake up"... kind of cute.
(I suppose sharing this with everyone - will help hold me to account - my detox is due to finish 21 September - and I am keeping a food diary so I can see what I do eat - which is equally tough.)