Her Story

During Lynn Scott’s 30s, business began with a struggle; she learnt management by the school of hard knocks and the business careered from crisis to crises.

The furniture manufacturing business, Creative by Design was successfully franchised around Australia, but any manufacturing business has constant challenges. By her 40s, Lynn had it together and the small business expanded and started to make serious progress.

“Success was more pleasurable than the roller coaster of the previous ten years,” Lynn says.

Her role in the wardrobe and furniture company and recognition by peer groups added to her success in achieving numerous awards, including NSW Telstra Small Business Woman of the Year, International Woman’s Hall of Fame and the Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame.

When Lynn Scott reached her 50s, reality struck and brought a focus on building a retirement option that was achieved through the business success.

“Options in life are so much more enjoyable than no choice. Now in my 60s, I never envisaged I would still be in the creative business,” Lynn says.

The global financial crisis impacted the retail market for kitchens and wardrobes dramatically. It was at this time that the franchise group needed strong, directional leadership and a time to abandon the business to managers.

“Each day, I wake up driven by the same desire for a sound business, partly for the many team members, who’s family depend on our leadership and partly to support the pursuit of my interests outside the business. Every day I celebrate the success of our business that gives me a life choice.”

Lynn’s success of the business is a measure of commitment, energy, focus and willingness to make the tough, as well as the fun, decisions. One key learning lesson of her career that she would pass onto others is to work hard in the first years of the business, give it your all, but have a plan to enjoy what a successful business can bring.

“As a woman, I love our business, but I love the freedom it gives me to pursue my other passions in life.”

Strategies for Success

1. Be able to balance the nurturing, motivational role with holding people accountable for performance.
2. Fiscal leadership is paramount- Run the business as though you were in a recession every day:
3. Never ask the bank for an overdraft- make the business perform.
4. Know what business culture you want- Find team members doing the right thing and share their successes
5. Find time for yourself- pursue interests out side the business; balance in life is essential.