2 March 2021|Latest Posts, Meet the Successful Founder
At just 30 years old, Chantelle is the co-founder of the successful marketing agency Sequel and Non-Executive Director of the innovative technology platform, Krowdkast. With over a decade of marketing experience, Chantelle co-founded the worldwide content & communications agency with business partner Martha Murray, establishing a team in London, South of France, Bali & India. In 2019, Chantelle was also appointed as non-exec director of leading tech-startup Krowdkast, to work alongside the board to develop the world’s first casting-specific video call platform. Her strategic business expertise and marketing knowledge has been applied throughout her entrepreneurial ventures.
What would you love to share to encourage other women to start their own business?
The feeling of having something that’s yours, is truly incomparable. When you set something up out of nothing, watch it grow, begin to build a team, hear incredible client feedback, I honestly don’t think there is a better feeling. The gratitude I feel on a daily basis is so fulfilling and the sense of independence really is empowering. Developing a platform like Krowdkast, where our goal was to change the way the world casts models, influencers and actors, not only helped to streamline our agency processes at Sequel, it’s also changing the face of the creative industry globally. Sustainability is a fundamental part of our company ethos, so reducing our carbon footprint with the ability to cast talent, remotely, was a real game-changer for us.
What are your top tips for entrepreneurial success?
Perseverance – you have good and bad days, you have to be mentally prepared for the ups and downs. You can’t let one bad day/week or morning affect your mood, it can quickly resonate throughout the team. When you feel like giving up, remember why you started, take time to reflect on what’s got you down, then move on.
Hard-work – there’s no escaping this, you really do get out what you put in. Whenever my team is feeling overwhelmed, I try to re-iterate it’s the small steps that count. Focus on the micro-achievements – they are building the blocks to a bigger success & future. We are only human, so take the time at the end of the day to focus on what you have achieved, not what you haven’t – nothing good ever comes from that.
Resilience – In business, you can’t take things personally, you really need the ability to pick yourself up and move on. Separating personal emotion with business decisions is hard, it’s something I have found challenging as there is always cross over. I think ballet actually taught me some real life lessons, you have to dig in, if you fall down, you get up again. It hurts sometimes, but it is very rewarding!
Understanding – Leading a team, I think understanding and compassion is so important. When you listen to your team, clients, suppliers and understand what they need to feel happy or fulfilled, it enables you to really think about how you can do a better job, for all of them.
Patience – this really is crucial. When you do the same thing repeatedly, you can sometimes feel like you’re not growing. It’s so important to remind yourself of the small successes you achieve everyday. I find stepping back and looking at the bigger picture allows me to assess growth, and be grateful for those smaller wins throughout the days and weeks. It’s very easy to compare yourself to bigger and more successful businesses, forgetting they are 10 years more established than your own! “If you really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time.” – Steve Jobs
Who are the 5 women who inspire you the most
Misty Copeland – Ballerina
Debbie Wosskow – Allbright Co-founder
Serena Guen – Founder of Suitcase Magazine
Brené Brown – Author and Professor
Whitney Wolfe Herd – Bumble CEO
What is your favourite saying/inspirational quote?
It’s a reminder that pain is temporary, and pride is forever –
“Tough times never last, but tough people do.”
Success isn’t owned, it’s earned
Chantelle’s website link and social handles are:
www.wearesequel.com and www.krowdkast.com
@chantelleoriani / @wearesequel / @krowdkast
