As a woman entrepreneur, what do you feel the top five qualities every woman thinking of starting her own business should have?
We all know the usual suspects: courage, conviction, research, planning etc. I’d like to share some uncommon qualities and approaches, which really separate businesswomen from working women. In my short career span, I have seen that these qualities or thoughts are what separate the usual from the unusual.
These are resilience, mental balance, timeliness, and TTC (Tantrum and Tact Control), four qualities I honestly cannot do without.
Lastly, it is extremely important to be a non worrier. As an entrepreneur everything in your company is your problem. However, the minute you begin worrying about it things will go wrong.
Did you receive any formal training in Events Management? How did you learn the tricks of the trade?
I didn’t undergo formal training; everything I learnt was on the job, some of it through prior jobs and from watching my senior partner work. While I assume that a post-graduation in event management may have helped understand the business; focusing on quality and economy, delivering work to the client’s delight is a trick you can only learn hands-on.
What advise can you share with fellow women entrepreneurs and readers of the site?
Women have a natural ability to connect, be gentle, persuasive, involved and observant. We’re very open with communication. Therefore we are capable of an analytical, practical approach to work. Honing these qualities to serve your business or resolve obstacles is a great gift.
To be successful you have to project independence.
When working with men (they could be your vendors, or customers, or colleagues) you have to be reliable, calm and provide well planned out solutions. This is how you can gain respect too.
Before initiating drastic changes, plug all the current holes. If you’re prudent, you can recreate/revive anything. Furthermore, when times are bad, never forget the purpose of your business and its goal. It will inspire you to move on.
What are your short term future plans for the business?
Most of the short term goals and plans are part of where we see ourselves in five years. Years 2012 and 2013 have been about mastering new verticals, growing from creating events into a phase where we now plan, create and introduce brands into their target markets and sustain their growth through marketing events.
