IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED
How long have you been in business?
This is an interesting question…Because I have dabbled in my head and out in the world for approx 3 years. But as my accountant said to me at the end of this financial year…This really is the first year in real, committed business. And she was right…So let’s call it two years.
What were you doing beforehand?
Before Catapult Your Business I was running a PTE- Private Tertiary Education. It was a private tech to study certificates and diplomas in Business, Travel and Hospitality. I was the Campus Manager and the careers advisor. I had a large team to run, alongside a 8 floor building and approx 600 students. Prior to that I was a tutor teaching a level 5 Diploma in Hospitality Management.
Is this the first business you've owned?
Ok…So this might take a while…Put the kettle on Polly!
I came back from a 6 year OE in Europe. As a young chef I thought I was the best thing since sliced bread and I had an ego just as freaking huge. I was so naive…And so I stepped into a business (blindly…OH SO BLIND!) I was a business partner for a cafe. We were beach front, funky and cranking. But I had no financial experience and neither did my biz partner…Basically we crashed and burned… I think of it like doing a Masters in Business!
So I became a business consultant for other cafe owners.
Then while I was managing the school I wanted to do my own thing…I always knew I had more inside. I knew I was a leader….It really is something you just know.
Catapult Your Career was born. I stepped out of my corporate job with some stepping stones, starting contracting to a few people in biz development. Then when I was ready (Brave enough!) I boldly cut all ties and stepped into full time biz. Basically in a nutshell….Catapult Your Career was my should business. It was the business I felt that was the most realistic, doable and would make everyone else happy business. Ironically I burnt out after 6 weeks and had made $45.00. I got lost in that internet dream of making millions while sipping pina coldas….Meanwhile I had women coming to me asking me to help them in their businesses…So I stopped flogging the dead horse and completely changed tactic.
Best thing EVER!
When was it that you realised you had a marketable skill?
Finally listening to all the feedback, compliments and intuitive feelings of knowing…Like really deeply accepting and appreciating all of the positiveness and choosing that. I believe that if people are always treating you as the go to person for the same theme, the same repeating advice…Then boom thats the skill. Often other people see us in our full potential.
What made you go into business?
I wanted to be part of the world on an inspirational level. Which was funny because at the time I felt like I had no real story. No real rags to riches kinda novel. I still don’t but I want to represent the women who have had a great life see that they too are worth being heard.
I wanted to prove to my self that I could create a profitable business.
What has been your biggest struggle so far?
It was self belief. I logically knew what to do. I had helped build other peoples businesses. But what I totally underestimated was that I didn’t know that I harboured self belief issues, money blocks and self doubt plagued me.
Now I teach the success mindset principles first because that was the ONLY thing that catapulted my biz. It wasn’t a fancy funnel, or marketing plan because if you don’t belief in yourself you execute NOTHING!
What is your biggest success?
Hitting 6 figures this last financial year.
Who is in your immediate family? I have a husband and two daughters aged 5 and 9. Oh and our dog Monty.
What do they think of your success? My husband thinks I have some kind of celebrity status…He really needs to get a grip ahah! Nah seriously he thinks all I do is sip lattes. My two girls think it is amazing that I get to empower women…This really was a pivotal point in my life being the mother to two girls.
What's your fondest memory?
Having my second daughter. She was a natural brith and I had done hypo birthing with her. It was the most present I have ever been and I mooed like a cow (according to my husband!) and fist pump and yelled “YES I did it!” Even before I asked what sex the babe was LOL!
Favourite thing to do?
I love to eat. Being in hospitality most of my life I adore amazing food. I am the biggest coffee snob around ( I actually drink long blacks, not the lattes!) This is my favourite thing to do because it usually involves being with people. I love connection. Then my next favourite is walking the dog on a stormy day…Bliss!
How do you sell?
I sell everyday. I use the philosophy that cafe does…And that is you show the menu and take the order. Never once do you walk into a cafe and they are just offering value…Damn it gimme my coffee! So that is how I treat my social media, website and newsletters. There will always be an offer or a call to action.
Why sales?
Sales brings you cash, which you need to survive. But mostly because it is the oxygen your business needs to grow. Sales is the final part in all the hard work you do…With out selling, and having a process you pretty much just have an expensive hobby. People know you are in business so it isn’t weird to sell…It is weird when you don’t!
Most successful platform for sales?
For me there isn’t one single platform it is bringing all your marketing together and being in front of your ideal client. Then asking for the sale. Instead of focussing on the platform I think it is all about having the right solution for people. That old saying about finding a hungry crowd when you are selling hamburgers….Hmm there is definitely a theme of food in the piece !