My article today in Women’s Agenda covers 7 female entrepreneurs across 7 different sectors… and what they’ve learned on their entrepreneurial journey. I had great fun facilitating panel discussions with these women at the Women World Changers conference in Sydney and Melbourne last week. This is why I love what I do!
Here’s an extract of my article, first published on Women’s Agenda, based on the wisdom of this fabulous crowd:
- Just take the first step. Kim Liddell, founder and CEO of Non-Destructive Excavations, says there’s no such thing as perfect preparation, no such thing as perfect pathways. Just take the first step, then worry about the second, then the third, and then keep going. If you wait to be perfectly prepared, your journey will never begin.
- Be bolder than you think. Gen George was just 21 years of age when she founded OneShift, an online talent marketplace that instantly connects over 660,000 local candidates to 39,000 local businesses. In the early days her goals were modest, her expectations measured. After all, she was new to the job market herself. With the benefit of hindsight and experience – and $5million investment in the business – she says she could have aimed higher, pushed harder. And that’s just what she’s doing now in her second venture skilld.
- When the rules don’t make sense, then change them. Since Ronni Kahn founded OzHarvest in 2004, the social venture has rescued and redistributed 53 million meals to women, children and men in need. Yet in the early days it was hard for business to donate food due to the legal liability in place. By securing pro bono legal support to have the laws changed, Ronni was able to open up a whole supply chain of food to nourish those in need.
- Accept your vulnerabilities. Serial entrepreneur Melissa Browne leads a portfolio of businesses that keep her challenged and motivated. And sometimes awake at night. Encouraged by a coach to open up to her team on her challenges and occasional feelings of overwhelm, Melissa created a real sense of trust and camaraderie with her teams and a shared commitment to working through those challenges together.
- Failure can be your best friend. Sadhana Smiles had two failed businesses under her belt before she took the helm as CEO of Harcourts Group Victoria and what she learned along the way is to focus on the learnings. Realizing she works best and creates more value in a corporate environment than the start up scene, her move back onto the payroll has been rewarded with a string of awards and accolades.
- Turn your weakness into a strength. As Investment Director of venture capital firm Blue Sky Funds, Elaine Stead is frequently the only woman at the table. Rather than be intimidated, she sees this as an opportunity to stand out, be memorable, and attract female founders.
- Everything is about people, no matter what business you’re in. Even in a technology business. Michelle Melbourne attributes the success of Intelledox over the past 25 years not to building the best technical capability, but to an ongoing relentless commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of their customers; and to cultivating a culture in which her people feel supported and empowered to contribute fully.
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