“Every business owner needs trusted people around them who understand the unique challenges we face and constantly help us push past them”
Therese Ravell of Impact HR Consulting started her business when returning from maternity leave and considering options for returning to work. In her corporate life, Therese was responsible for Asia Pacific and travelled regularly, often with little notice. Therese needed an option that allowed her to spend the time she wanted with her daughter, while continuing her career and adding value to others.
While talking to friends with small businesses, they explained to Therese that she was running a business already. Therese was providing much-needed HR advice to business owners who were sick of trying to navigate the complex HR laws in Australia. Unfortunately, at that point they were paying her in dinners and red wine.
Therese started to research the business idea, put together a plan and 2 months later founded Impact HR. It ticked all the boxes. The business allowed Therese to spend time with her children and be involved in their lives. It gave Therese the mental and career challenge that she needed to be her best self. It allowed Therese to help others and take the stress out of their life. And over time, it allowed Therese to offer the same choices to other amazing professional women faced with the choice that led to Impact HR being started 15 years ago.
Therese loves learning about her clients’ businesses and experiencing their passion for their clients first hand. No two days are the same.
Therese loves working with the Impact HR team. She says “I couldn’t ask for a better team who are always going above and beyond to make life easier for our clients. It fills me with so much pride to see how they are helping.“
Therese has been a member of the HerBusiness Network for 5 years now and says that HerBusiness is one of her inspirations and safe zones. Therese says “Every business owner needs trusted people around them who understand the unique challenges we face and constantly help us push past them. Within the HerBusiness network I get to see examples every day of amazing women who get me to realise that ‘if it is possible for her, it is possible for me. It is just a matter of how’.”
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
There are so many inspiring entrepreneurs that it is hard to choose a favourite. I love hearing Suzi’s story and how she from an early age invested in herself so that she could achieve her dreams.
However, as a HR specialist, one of the most inspiring people is Sir Richard Branson. I’ve seen him sitting on a panel with other experts, hear something interesting and lean in, pull out his notebook and start writing points down. Always respectful, always learning and always role modeling the behaviour and culture he wants in his many organisations.
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
My first child was almost 1 and I was considering options for returning to work. In my corporate life, I was responsible for Asia Pacific and travelled regularly, often with little notice. I needed an option that allowed me to spend the time I wanted with my daughter, while continuing my career and adding value to others.
While talking to friends with small businesses, they explained I was running a business already. I was providing much needed HR advice to business owners who were sick of trying to navigate the complex HR laws in Australia. Unfortunately, at that point they were paying me in dinners and red wine.
I started to research the business idea, put together a plan and 2 months later founded Impact HR. It ticked all my boxes. The business allowed me to spend time with my children and be involved in their lives. It gave me the mental and career challenge that I needed to be my best self. It allowed me to help others and take the stress out of their life. And over time it allowed me to offer the same choices to other amazing professional women, faced with the choice that lend to Impact HR being started in the first place.
I still can’t believe that was 15 years ago!
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
I love learning about our clients’ businesses and experiencing their passion for their clients first hand. No two days are the same.
I love working with the Impact HR team. I couldn’t ask for a better team who are always going above and beyond to make life easier for our clients. It fills me with so much pride to see how they are helping.
I love the opportunity to learn and challenge myself daily.
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- Marketing and paid marketing will help you grow. Invest early and consistently. It’s OK to start small, but do it regularly.
- Start the hiring process before you think you need the resource. If the pipeline is filling up, think about who is going to deliver the work. Working harder and longer hours is not a business strategy.
- Simple systems give you freedom. We now have a “Freedom Framework” for everything in the business. Simple steps or videos so that it is easier to repeat.
- Every client is different and needs a process to be tailored to them, but it is still a system and needs to be documented if you are going to do it more than once.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
- It takes a community to grow a business. You don’t have to do it all yourself. Fellow business owners want to see you thrive. Reach out and we would love to support you to be successful too.
- Be clear about what you want from your business. Put goals and plans on paper. Put those somewhere you can see them regularly.
- Spend time looking back on what you have created so you can see your progress. When your vision feels out of reach, looking back reminds you of what you have already overcome and gives you the confidence to take the next step.
- BE BOLD. Take the next step.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
Leadership – even when you are a solo business owner, you are leading your broader team of people. Think VAs, accountant/bookkeeper, social media marketer etc. In addition, you are leading your clients. So the most valuable investment you make is in developing your leadership skills.
Feedback skills – the ability to communicate effectively and especially provide feedback (both good and bad) is essential. So often we share the good feedback from the rooftops and say nothing about areas of focus or development. Your business will never achieve your dreams if your team don’t understand how they can do better.
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
My ideal business has at least 4 revenue streams all exceeding target through my dream team delivering the work.
My role will transition to one of thought and team leadership. This will ensure that we are always front of mind and the first place potential clients come for the HR support that they need.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
HerBusiness is one of my inspirations and safe zones.
Every business owner needs trusted people around them who understand the unique challenges we face and constantly help us push past them.
Within the HerBusiness network I get to see examples every day of amazing women who get me to realise that “if it is possible for her, it is possible for me. It is just a matter of how.”
Learn more about Therese and Impact HR Consulting.
