WBS Interview - Tanya from Traction Factory

Meet Tanya from The Traction Factory
Interview with the The Traction Factory Click To Tweet

Why and when did you start your own business?

I started my own business because I just knew I could do it better than the person I was working for. More ethically, more client driven and more interested in the client.

What does being a business owner mean to you?

It means I can do whatever it is I decide to do. I can take more risk perhaps but I can also choose who I work with. In the game of marketing, you have to have a relationship with the client which allows you to really understand what it is they need. I try to work only with people I get and that get me – I usually get it right but there has been the odd occasion where I got it terribly wrong!

What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?

Those people who said I couldn’t do it! The doubters have made sure I strived to outdo what they thought I was capable of.

What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?

I have several quite serious health issues which most don’t know anything about. I think to keep going without feeling the need to post every malady on Facebook has been one of my greatest achievements! My 2 daughters are a bit of an achievement too!

What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?

Outsource anything that you are not an expert at. The time you spend fiddling with building your own website is time better spent on raising the money to get a website built that will actually do its job for you. Same with accounting – why spend hours pouring over numbers I don’t understand when for $100 a month I can get someone to do it for me?

What has been the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your business?

As a marketer, I have a huge advantage over most. I have ben in this environment for many more years than I want to admit to but even I was surprised at just how effective my car wrap has been in promoting one of my businesses, Leaflets in Point Cook. Extraordinary!

What is one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?

Make decisions on statistics not on what you think or your gut feeling. Gut feeling is all well and good when judging someone’s character but not so good when making financial and business decisions.

Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you run your business? If yes, please describe (and include links if available).

Get a decent CRM – it doesn’t have to cost a lot. We use Active Campaign. Having a CRM turns you into a serious business owner. You get to track activities and sales etc. and can really make a difference to how effectively you operate.

What do you do for fun/relaxation?

Work! Seriously I actually do love what I do and I tend to work until 7 or 8 pm most nights and have one day off at the weekend. That is when I get to spend time with friends and hubby. I love good food and enjoy nothing more than eating out at great venues.

What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful woman in business?

Patience
The ability to listen in order to understand
Tenacity

What fears have you faced in business? Have you overcome it/them? How do you manage fear?

Being sure I am good enough to do what I do – especially when the keyboard warriors start their games! How I handle it is to understand that if I were a shrinking violet I would be left alone and I never want to be a shrinking violet! I am not everyone’s cup of tea, I know that but if what you are looking for is someone who is straightforward and you know where you stand then here I am. I won’t have a conversation with someone just because I should – I have integrity and you will always know where you stand with me.

What are your top 5 goals you want to achieve by the end of 2017?

To increase our turnover by 25% to $1m

What makes you happy?

Watching clients succeed in their business aims and seeing their businesses grow.

Have you had to make any sacrifices whilst running your business? If so, what are they?

No, I don’t think I have in fact I feel enriched now.

Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most and why?

Apple – they have such an amazing culture where people want to go to work. Their turnover of staff is one of the best in the world.

Where do you see yourself and your business in 2-5 years?

We currently have 4 employees – I would like to see that get to 10 maybe and then I can hand over much of the work that I do and do only the stuff I really enjoy. We are currently looking for office space so that is the next space.

How do you measure your success in business?

We measure statistics for most of our clients and a rise in statistics for them is our success. When they at a point they have outgrown us our work is done!

Where is your dream destination to go for a holiday and why?

England to see my kids and lifelong friends

What is your favourite inspirational quote you would like to share with other WBS members?

To achieve different results you have to do something different

What are your top 5 business tips?

Outsource
Never compromise
Surround yourself with the sort of people that you want to be like
Base decisions only on statistics
Outsource (I know I already said it but it really is worth saying again!)

Why did you become a WBS Member?

I had been to a meeting about 6 months ago and really got the feeling it was a different kind of networking. I made the decision in January to start talking to more women in business locally and this is one of the best groups I have come across. Strong, straightforward women.