Running a business is consuming work, and it can be hard to keep on top of everything. We asked some of the 2017 Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame inductees how they manage to stay motivated and up-to-date with their businesses.
Adina Jacobs of STM Brands has found the give and take of business support communities helpful.
“Whether it’s linking people up, sharing my experiences or exchanging ideas, I find it all beneficial.”
Roslyn Campbell, Director of social enterprise Tsuno, is happy to be a part of “a network of really open, caring women who are really generous with sharing information, advice and contacts” on Facebook.
Liz Courtney is the Director of Unboxed Media. She has found mentors extremely useful in helping her set her course, stay focused, build leaderships skills, network, keep her dream alive and join several associations in her field. She also has found the support and guidance from business associations to be essential for building relationships and business opportunities, meeting key influences and building out her profile.
Mary Retallack, of Retallack Viticulture Pty Ltd, uses online courses, post-graduate studies, seminars, books and webinars to keep current on information she needs to run her business.
Wild Child’s Leanne Preston has found mentors to be very useful in her business.
“One of the things that I took very seriously from day one was that I needed to access expertise and experience that I didn’t have. To counter that, I formed a board that had expertise in areas such as corporate governance, law, finance, science, and marketing. It wasn’t an easy thing for a start-up company to do, but I consider myself very lucky, and have formed a great relationship and respect for my board members.”
Kelly Jamieson, of Edible Blooms, found mentoring incredibly helpful as she was growing out her business. “I was really fortunate to have the guidance of an amazing mentor early in the growth of Edible Blooms. She was always asking me questions that guided me forward (one of those clever people who seemed to always be a few steps ahead of where I was).” She also enjoys being on an advisory board where she can confidentially share her challenges and opportunities with other business leaders in group discussion.
“Being the leader of a business is lonely, so the more like-minded people you can surround yourself with, the better.”
Kim Liddell of Non Destructive Excavation Australia has had a series of mentors throughout the years. “They keep me focused, accountable and assist me to keep pushing the boundaries.” She also belongs to several business groups that challenge, educate, and encourage her to be a better person and a better leader.
Marie Piccone is the Managing Director of Manbulloo mangoes. Over the years, she’s found that mentors helped keep her on top of running her business. Her mentors “all provided amazing insights and experiences that have provided me with great guidance and knowledge. When times have been really tough, they have believed in me and the future of the business and have also given me honest and relevant feedback when I’ve needed it most.” Marie firmly believes that her business would not be in as strong a position if not for the mentors she’s had over the years.
“There are a few situations that I wonder whether Manbulloo would have survived without mentors.”
