Top tips for women in business

SHE Means Business events, in association with HSBC, are inspiring women to become their own bosses

The second SHE means Business event was an important date in the business diary, following on from the huge success of the first event back in May. See highlights from the event in our video and get top tips from successful women in business - including one woman who was so inspired by the first event, she went straight out and started her own business!

 

 

 

Top tips from inspiring women speakers at SHE Means Business

 

Gill Brown

With 25 years experience in PR, at QBO before setting up Band & Brown, Gill now works on The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) promoting the Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).

The most useful book I have ever read was 'Business Stripped Bare' by Richard Branson (Virgin, £7.99) because it normalises setbacks, while describing how to move on from them.

 

 

The best business networking website is Linked In (www.linkedin.com). I don't use it regularly, but my colleagues rave about it, having picked up some great new business leads from it.

The best advice I've ever been given is "You can't leap a chasm in two bounds," which my business partner Nick Band said to me. If you're working in business, you can't do anything half-heartedly or too cautiously - because if you do, you'll fail.

I wish I'd known that if you have a team that becomes too independent, with their own client power base, you are vulnerable to them breaking away - which happened to us.

What you should never do when you're starting out is to think too small. You're a business - not a bunch of freelancers - and you must never lose sight of that.

What I am most proud of is my staff - they are the best team we have ever had. As time goes on you get better at spotting and nurturing winners.

 

Sahar Hashimi

Sahar, a lawyer-turned-businesswoman, founded Coffee Republic with her brother in 1995. After selling her shares, she recently launched a new project, Skinny Candy, nationwide.

The most useful book I have ever read is 'The Financial Times Guide to Business Start Up 2009' by Sara Williams (Prentice Hall, £19.99) - a practical guide that tells you all you need to know.

 

 

The best business advice I have ever been given is that it's all in the detail. It was as true for me when I was setting up Coffee Republic nearly 15 years ago as it is for Skinny Candy.

Before starting out, I wish I'd known that I would get there... eventually. Rome wasn't built in a day - and sometimes it's useful to remember that.

The one quality you need to succeed in business is the ability to press either the ‘mute' or ‘delete' button on your fears. You also need the capacity to work harder than you've ever worked before in your life.

When you're starting out you should never doubt yourself, with the result that you try to get reassurance from outside. Keep your doubts to yourself, under the radar.

What I'm most proud of is my book 'Anyone Can Do It' (Capstone, £8.99) because before I wrote it, I couldn't even scribe a decent thank you letter, let alone an entire book!

 

Lynne Franks

At just 21, Lynne launched her internationally recognised PR business. She is also the founder of SEED (Sustainable Enterprise and Empowerment Dynamics), which provides learning and coaching on empowerment and business practices for women.

I wrote 'The Seed Handbook: The Feminine Way to Create Business' (Hay House, £10.99) nearly 10 years ago, the first business book ever written for women.

 

www.seednetworkingforwomen.com is the most useful website I've ever used. It gives women the opportunity to promote their businesses, share their stories, ask for help and mentor others - and all for free!

The best advice I've been given is "Believe in yourself and others will believe in you too." If you don't believe in yourself, how can you expect anyone else to?

Never underestimate the power of information. Know the industry into which you are launching your business inside out. Don't pursue a business that won't work in the market, consider your competition and decide if your product is viable in terms of costs versus profit.

 

Louise Galvin

With more than 20 years experience in hair colouring, having started at her father Daniel's salon, Louise now has her own company, Louise Galvin Sacred Locks.

The most useful book about business I have ever read is 'Authentic Business: How to Create and Run Your Perfect Business' by Neil Crofts (Capstone, £12.99). It was good to read about a business practice that simply felt the right way to operate - one that's not just about profit!

 

I don't really believe in business networking websites. What I do believe in is face-to-face networking - for me there is something a little soulless about sending a mass email to people you don't yet know, in the hope of reaching out to someone.

The best advice I've ever been given is that you need to know your unique selling point, then build on your core strength.

Before starting out, I wish I'd known how tough it can be to build up a new company and brand. If I'd had any idea how hard it is, I might never have started! But the ‘payback' in terms of personal achievement is wholly rewarding - and the great people you meet along the way also make it all worthwhile.

The one quality you need to succeed in business is optimism and drive. Optimism to see you through the hard times and drive to keep you pushing forward to pursue your dream.

 

Book for the next SHE business event in November 2009 - details here