Some words of wisdom about being a business owner..

I had these inspiring pieces of advice written up to share at rural women’s event recently so thought I would share them here.

How do you start a new business and what things do you think you need to be successful?

I think the most important thing about starting a new business is passion. Business can be tough and without the passion when things get challenging you will be more likely to quit. I am also a big believer that anyone can turn their passions into an income and this is the most fulfilling way to live life if you ask me. Passion is also related to your why and your why is the reason you do anything. I talk a lot about clients why’s when it comes to health and fitness, I get them to dig deep on why they want to achieve what they say they want. Developing a why that is deeper than the surface level why like “I want to lose 10kgs” or “I want to start x business” is important because the deeper your why the more emotion attached thus the more committed you'll be. When you think about your why with business, dig 5 or 7 layers deep - for example why do I want to start this business, what will this mean to me, why is that feeling important, how will that improve my life.

How do you scale your business? Often people are working in other full time roles, and are building up a business on the side. How do you know when it’s time to take the leap?

Be willing to make sacrifices this is sort of answering the previous question but I think when you are starting a business in the beginning and still working in a full time role, something has to give, mine at the time was horses, I was building and personal training but I had taken a break from horses at the time, you cannot do everything all at once.

Knowing when to take the leap is only something you can be make the decision with, noone else.

For me it started with working as a PT before and after working as a builder so days where longer but I knew it wouldn’t be forever.

When I got too many clients to make that work I was fortunate enough to be building for my dads business at the time working with a crew of very supportive guys who were happy for me to be flexible with my hours as long as they knew and when I was building, I was fully committed to the task at hand. So I was in the gym morning and evening, starting late and finishing early on the building site. I do understand that not all people have the opportunity to be this flexible but I also think that most business owners and people generally want to see you succeed and do something you are passionate about so talk to your current boss or work mates, see If you can be more flexible, the answer will always be no if you never ask.

Then when I got too busy to make both work I knew It was time to stop building, when the gym work was bringing more satisfaction than building, I had survived my first 3 months as PT and was thriving something that stats show most don’t do. People think being a PT is an easy option but I can assure its not.

So make sacrifices, be willing to hustle at the start, reach out for support and trust that you know when the time is right

Make sacrifices in the beginning so you are less likely to have to later down the track

The best advice I was given when I first started my business?

Very related to my industry but it was told to me many times by other PTs who wanted to see me succeed that the majority of Pts quit after 3 months because it gets too hard or isn’t what they thought it would be, don’t quit, keep going, if its something that you are passionate about you will find a way for it to work.

Who I have sought out to help grow my business?

When I first started - other PTs, utilise the generosity of others free advice where you can, most people are willing to help if you just ask. Seek out those who you admire and have been in similar shoes. Ask them questions, what worked what didn’t work, biggest lessons, what would they do differently.

Other coaches - my current training and nutrition coach - I continue to work with her even when I could coach myself because I will never know everything and I can always learn something from her.

Business and mindset coaches - I believe you should always be aiming to improve your mind so when I can I am always up skilling. Business coaches, mindset coaches, nutrition and training courses.

Probably spent more income on improving myself and by business than actually making the money. Which I wouldn’t say is the best advice but I do believe some portion of income should always be spent on giving back to your business which for me as a coach is mostly about improving myself and expanding my knowledge.

One thing I am doing in business that I am super proud of to pass onto the next generation...

I get super pumped when clients have kids and they tell me about how their kids are now doing little workouts with them, going out for walks while they do or even eating a more balanced diet. I help women regain control of their food choices, fuel themselves better and improve their strength but knowing that their kids are watching them and seeing them grow such healthy habits is exciting for me. I worry about the next generation and their health due to the cost of nutritious food, the ease of access to low nutrient foods and what I see as a lack of movement or even exposure to the outdoors, obviously farm kids aren’t as subjected to this but its still a concern so if I can help just one mother improve their exercise and eating habits I know I am also helping the next generation too.

The most influential person in your career and how they influenced me?

I would probably have to say my parents here. They have both always just been so damn supportive of any decisions I make. Dad has always been a great role model in terms of a business owner, he has owned his own building business for the whole time I have been alive, I’ve seen the highs and the lows, well the mild versions of them anyway I'd say but I've always seen him rise from the lows and grow more resilient from the harder times in business.

A skill that I didn’t have when I went into business, that I wish I’d learnt before I did?

There are so many things that would have made things easier and business possibly grow quicker, things like communication, marketing, social media, sales, website design but I think the biggest lesson for me to give anyone is that it's okay to ask for help, it's okay to outsource things to other people who are experts in whatever that thing is. While its very satisfying being able to learn the new skill you need to make whatever it is work in your business and as a new business owner its easy to feel like you need to wear all of the hats and do all of the things, in the end you are likely to save so much time and energy if you just ask for help. Not all of it even has to be paid help some people are willing to do certain things for free. The ability to ask for help and outsource is the biggest skill I wish I had of learnt earlier.