Ali Fowler spent a successful twenty years in business and climbed to the top of her field, twice – only to realise from the summit that she wanted something more. She decided to make her own business out of giving back to the business world, and World Project Partners was born. Ali helps other entrepreneurs run far with their ideas by building the engine rooms for their projects.
“My ideal client is women who aren’t done yet, women who know there is more for them to be and do in their lives. I help them figure that out, then I create really simple pathways.”
Before she started her journey up a different business mountain, there are three things Ali wishes she had known:
- The importance of her own voice – people buy the person, not the product
- The simplest set up is best – don’t make the business more complicated than it needs to be
- It was going to take longer than she thought – you have to hang in there
For anyone about to start their own climb, this is Ali’s advice:
- Start before you’re ready, because you have to get in the game.
- There’s more than one business model you can start out with. Don’t be afraid to explore!
- Find your minimum viable product, the smallest thing you can start with, and start with that.
- Once you’ve started, find a new way to get the word out about your business every month.
Ali knows that all business owners have to have courage. They have to know how to own their time and make their own decisions.
“Once the decision’s made, you have to enjoy it.”
Ali loves owning her own business, because she can travel, work, and collaborate with others on her own terms.
“I’m a freedom seeker, so this is a freedom move.”
Ali’s ideal business would never make her feel overcommitted. It can be crunched into four days of work, so she can spend the other three writing and taking time for herself. To Ali, the ideal business is a feeling.
“It would feel like it was feeding my wellness, giving back to me and making me healthier and healthier.”
Ali’s favourite entrepreneur is Suzanne Hall, founder of Be Intent in Auckland.
“She is a mentor of mine, and she’s phenomenal because she has taught me to stick to your vision and stay connected to the dream at all times.”
Why does Ali love HerBusiness?
“It’s that feeling that you’re not alone. I’ve been in and out of HerBusiness, but I’ve never wanted to give it up. It gives me new information all the time; it’s a very progressive network to be a part of. It helped me build my network.”
This post was authored by Sophie Grosserode. Sophie is completing a journalism internship at HerBusiness. She studies journalism and media at the University of Tennessee in the United States.
