Michelle Pascoe quickly realised that time spent at work was too much time spent away from her family, so she quit her job and decided to start her own business. Michelle knew she had a talent for typewriting, 110 words per minute is pretty impressive! She had no idea this gift would escalate into a successful business.
In 1994 Michelle founded Optimum Operating Procedures and Services Pty Ltd (OOPS). As one of Australia’s most respected training companies, OOPS provides mystery shopping, service benchmarking, staff training, leadership development and so much more! Michelle uses her experience to develop training courses and techniques to assist others in achieving business success.
Michelle’s career has given her the opportunity to travel across the world. She loves meeting new people, making connections and creating connections between others. Michelle finds it rewarding to connect people with others who can help them. She has grown an extensive network of recourses, clients and friends.
3 Pieces of Advice Michelle Wishes She Knew When She Started:
- Learn Finances
- Understand your Worth
- Get a Mentor and Ask for Help
Michelle’s Advice for Beginner Business Owners:
- Recognise your target audience
- Make your clients a commitment
- Look PROFESSIONAL – invest in a professional business card
“Choose the life you want, not the life others want for you.”
Michelle emphasises her passion for pursuing your dreams. However, she says that you shouldn’t be afraid to admit if it’s not working out.
“Don’t let your pride get in the way of you enjoying your life.”
Michelle’s favourite entrepreneurs are Tina Tower and Amy Porterfield. When it comes to bricks and mortar, Tina inspires Michelle to continuously grow. Tina’s program “Laptop Life” is Michelle’s guide for developing her online courses. Likewise, Michelle values and admires Amy Porterfield’s Online Marketing expertise and looks forward to attending her “Entrepreneur Experience” event.
Even in a business as strong as Michelle’s, she still sees room for development. She is starting to grow her face-to-face programs while developing complimentary online programs. Her goal is to grow into a multifaceted business.
During the next decade, Michelle will use her role as the Australian Ambassador for Global Speakers Federation to expand her professional speaking platforms.
Michelle joined the HerBusiness Network in the early years of her business, to gain guidance and mentor advise. The HerBusiness Network has been a constant reminder for Michelle to share her knowledge and support with others. The community pushes her to constantly learn and grow.
“In HerBusiness, there is support whether you’ve been in business 2 hours, 2 weeks, or 2 decades!”
Learn more about Michelle here.
This post was authored by Hannah Stanley. Hannah is completing a journalism internship at HerBusiness. She studies journalism and electronic media at the University of Tennessee in the United States.
