Passion Key to Success, say Businesswomen
People and Planet Communications, 2003

Two hundred people packed London's CBI Hall to hear the founders of successful enterprises speak "from the heart" on how personal passion and drive had built their businesses. "Big Vision, Small Budget" was the theme for the event, organised by TiE-UK in partnership with Everywoman.co.uk.

An all- woman panel captivated its audience with tales of winning through in a man's world. "We have to be smarter", declared Karen Gill, co-founder of Everywoman, citing such statistical anomalies as the fact a male entrepreneur typically must raise 35-40% of start-up capital from savings, while for women the proportion rises to 80%. But though brain power obviously helps, a central message of the evening - to men and women alike - was that passion and determination to win through are the real keys to success.

"I had to believe in myself", said Tracey Carr, whose company Eve-olution develops and provides lifestyle training to such FTSE 100 clients as PepsiCo and Citigroup. It wasn't always so. "With my marriage broken up and three small children to raise, all I had was a fierce belief in personal development so I made that my business." Carr drew appreciative smiles as she told of raising risk capital by the simple expedient of refusing to entertain the possibility of failure. "When I met a potential backer, the idea of them saying no never crossed my mind!"

small things make a difference

Malcolm Gladwell's book, Tipping Point, was an inspiration to Diana Harris, mother of two and Director of PR gurus, Drum. Faced with the challenge of realising big vision on shoe-string budget, Harris found a way forward in Gladwell's emphasis on getting small things right. "You don't need to spend a fortune to make a difference", she insisted. "Drum was founded and nurtured on the KISS principle" and "Be natural and make the client comfortable", Harris advised, before unveiling a further ingredient in the Drum mix – the 'religious' application of such established marketing principles as brand competitiveness, excellent and up-to-date website, maximum use of client recommendations and – in what proved the second major theme of the night – tireless networking.

network till you drop

"I'll network with anyone who has a face", declared Eve-olution's Tracey Carr. "I never stop." All panellists stressed the importance of networking, and several referred to the unique opportunities offered by event organisers TiE-UK - British 'chapter' of a global not-for-profit headed by industry leaders united in their desire to 'promote and foster entrepreneurial efforts.'

TiE-UK hosts public talks where entrepreneurs share their experience and vision. They also run a mentor scheme cited by Tracey Carr as having given "incredibly valuable advice and, more important still, their belief in me".

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