HOW TO MAKE IT THROUGH A CHALLENGE We spoke to five top entrepreneurs How did you pick yourself up again or how have about how they make it through you continued to rise above difficulties? challenges in business.
“I think having a business partner really helps to provide that support when things get tough. Bouncing ideas off each other ensures you don’t make too many rash decisions – it’s also important to have someone to high five when things do go well.” James, Bicycles Online, Co-Founder
“My life has been full of highs and lows. Meditation, time on my own to reflect, learn and grow, working on a project that I am passionate about, picking up a creative hobby, learning a new language and spending quality time with my family and friends has been instrumental in helping me get back up on my feet again.” Canna, SASS Financial and SugarMamma.TV, Founder “One of my favourite quotes is that “opportunity is a matter of perspective.” Choosing to play to your strengths and turning obstacles into opportunities is something we constantly try to do. Having a business partner that you trust and respect is so important when the rubber hits the road. We motivate each other, make up for each other’s shortcomings and often have different views on how we should approach situations, which helps us to see the bigger picture. We also have an amazing team.” Lindsay, Chello, Co-Founder and Director of Strategy “I always say to my team, it’s a marathon, not a sprint – and start-ups will knock you down. Our focus is on building a great team around us, to make sure that when one of us is on an emotional down, the others have the energy to bring them up. Having built two successful start-ups into multi-million dollar businesses in the past, I always turn to past experience when I need to.” Michael Rosenbaum, Spacer, Founder and CEO “With some of the difficulties that have come along there has always been a way out. Yes, a lot of hard work but also acknowledging and minimising risk where I can to avoid foreseeable hurdles. Also, always working within my means, being aware of my abilities and being able to say “no” when required.” Dan Yee, Artificer Specialty Coffee Bar & Roastery and Salvage Specialty
Visit our website to read more from these interviews! 38
LIVING LOCAL WINTER 2016
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