Letting go can grow your business

03 June 2008 | 22:30 - By Shivani Gupta

In Episode 2 of Risking It All we meet Brad. He thinks he has spotted a gap in the already flooded health and fitness market and risks his relationship, friendships and investments to set up Zone Health and Fitness. He’s convinced his girlfriend, his ex-wife, her new husband and a silent partner to invest over $350,000 in his dream.

One consistent problem emerges. Brad wants to control everything. Sometimes in business, you have to delegate to those with expertise so you can focus on the big picture.Brad is a wonderful entrepreneur. His dream of having a different kind of gym is a great idea.

Another thing that Brad does well is build strong relationships. His ex-wife and current girlfriend are willing to lend him money without any security which said to me that there is a level of trust he has built. No bank would lend Brad money without security. The audience may think this is strange but they seem to make it work!

Brad’s key learning was to let people do what they do best rather than try and control every aspect of the aspect of the business. He had accountant Annette (his ex wife) working in the business but he was trying to pay the bills. Megan his girlfriend is an expert in marketing but he was trying to control the marketing campaign. He also liked being the builder. Basically, he liked having his finger in all pies. To run a successful business, you must outsource jobs to people who are capable and then trust them to do it. He needed to trust them like they trusted him with their money! In business, if you are trying to do everything yourself, you are not working on growing the business.

Once Brad concentrated on his other strength of talking to people and getting them inspired to come to classes (rather than building a yoga room) his business started to grow.

To find out more about Risking It All watch episode 2 at 8pm tonight.

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Comments (13)

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11 Jun 2008 21:10 AEST

mark

From: castle hill

taking the step

Hi Shivani, I have a dream to establish a food outlet that specialises in a greek sweet that my late grandma taught me. This particular sweet has symbolic meaning in gathering all family members, and for those outsiders invited, thay have eagerly awaited for their next invitation. I have experimented with a broad range of people, from a cross section of socio groups with very positive feedback. How should I start and who should I involve in the initial discussions?

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11 Jun 2008 21:02 AEST

william

From: brisbane

getting started

Can you recommend a business in Brisbane? I need help with a business plan and a marketing plan. I have my own business however most income is from contract work, so promoting my own business takes a back seat as i get so busy doing the contract work. I have a family to support (5 kids u 10) and feel time starved. I feel i know what needs to be done but have no written plan and probably lack a bit of motivation at times. Are there simple guidelines for starting a business and marketing plan

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07 Jun 2008 9:25 AEST

Steven

From: Clayton

Assistance with marketing

All these shows clearly demonstrated that start up businesses need professional advice to grow. But majority of the times, these start up businesses do not have enough cash flow or spare funds to service these high costs. I am desperately looking some assistance with marketing. I am small IT software development shop with couple of products but no clients and also planning to expand to service the application needs of any business. Steven

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05 Jun 2008 21:37 AEST

Trevor

From: Pasadena

Great show

Great show very insperational pity there are only four well done Shivani

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04 Jun 2008 21:07 AEST

james

From: tumbi umbi

Advertisement

Just interesting in gettin some info for doing some of my own advertising. I own a small clothing line designed for moto fmx and snowboarders... I want to know what are te best ways to get my brand out there and bet the rest..... Im only 21 so i have no real background in this bussiness so any help would be apprecticated. james downs

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04 Jun 2008 21:04 AEST

peta

From: gold coast

12 MONTHS ON

Hi, enjoyed the show Shivani. I constantly find books which tell me that I must have a business plan, a marketing plan, a business proposal etc etc.... But I cannot find how to go about it. ..What is the best way to start please.

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04 Jun 2008 20:48 AEST

Lorna

From: Mt Gravatt

how to motivate

hi Shivani, my partner and i own a small seafood cafe and have a few younger staff under 18, they are on the whole very reliable and good kids but sometimes it is difficult to motivate them during quiet times having to set them their goals and tasks. What is a good way to motivate them??? Also we are finding it very difficult to find older people to work as we are not a restaurant. we are using empolyment agencies which have been good but how can we get them in and keep them?

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04 Jun 2008 20:37 AEST

Dave

From: Chadstone

Looking for marketing expertise

Where do i go too find someone with marketing expertise too put a proposal together etc?

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04 Jun 2008 20:36 AEST

Micheele

From: Mascot

Greay club

wow I was so impressed with that guy I owuld do his classes because of his enthusiasm looks like a great instructor

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04 Jun 2008 20:36 AEST

Dean

From: Pottsville

Investors

Well done. I believe it takes a special type of person to risk it all. I have recently done it myself. One question i have is how did you go about getting investors.

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About this Blog

Risking It All presenter and business expert Shivani Gupta has a passion to see people grow their businesses. Shivani brings her vast experience and practical business sense to help out the entrepreneurs in the television show and the SBS online audience in her business blog.

Shivani Gupta is a business dynamo with heart, vision, values and passion. She is a former corporate executive who “risked it all” herself to become an author as well as establish her own successful business coaching and speaking business, Passion@People. Shivani is well qualified for the role of helping our four start-up businesses, and your business too. Shivani has worked with a range of companies from sole traders to six of Australia’s top ten companies. She has won awards that include ‘Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year’. She was born in India and grew up in Australia. For more information about Shivani visit www.shivani.com.au

 
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