4 March 2021|Latest Posts, Meet the Successful Founder
Louise Findlay-Wilson is a regular speaker and commentator on PR, digital and social media and owns leading agency, Energy PR. In a PR career spanning over 30 years, Louise has worked with a huge array of B2B and consumer brands. From major names such as the BBC, Lloyds Bank, Capita, Cap Gemini, Schwartz, 20th Century Fox and St Paul’s Cathedral through to exciting, ambitious start-ups and fast-growing SMEs – helping them use PR to drive and accelerate their growth.
Advice to women who are interested in starting their own company“Running your own business is incredibly rewarding. Of course, it’s very tough at times but, if it’s in an area that naturally interests you, and where your talents lie, you’ll never feel like you’re working. It’s the surest way for you to realise your true potential, and for women, it’s probably going to be the easiest way for you to have control over your work-life balance – and combine work and children. So have faith in yourself and your idea – and go for it! After all, someone is going to have a successful business in that market, so why on earth can’t it be you.”
Five tips for entrepreneurial success
Do a lot of your learning when someone else is paying your salary. Work in a business like the one you plan to own one day. See how it’s run, where the opportunities are and the mistakes are made. Do all that learning ‘on someone else’s dime.’ If you don’t, and your first encounters with all the problems and pitfalls are when it’s your own company, it will probably cost you your first business!
Don’t be afraid to employ people who are better than you are.
Always keep an eye on the numbers and don’t be afraid of them. Do not wait for your accountant to tell you how you’re doing financially. At any one time, you should know your financial situation. And don’t kid yourself that your business is brilliant just because your turnover is looking good. As a great contact of mine, Simon Smith at Wellers Accountants says, turnover is vanity, profits are a reality but cashflow is king!
Always treat people well and with respect. Firstly – and most importantly – because it’s the right things to do. But secondly, because the goodwill of your customers, contacts, suppliers and staff will make a massive difference to your success. Their support and your reputation will be your biggest assets.
Focus on marketing from day one.
Who are the 5 women who inspire you the most?
The Queen – for moving with the times but always knowing and sticking to her brand, and always utterly committed
Kate Bush – for her creativity and innovation – an inquisitive soul
Rosalind Franklin – utterly brilliant in a man’s world
Jane Austen – early feminist and absolute genius
Elizabeth Williamson (my mother) – always open to new people, new ideas; always positive and therefore never old, even when in her 80s
What is your favourite saying/inspirational quote?
“Do your best and leave the rest”
Website & Socials
Website: https://www.energypr.co.uk/
Twitter: @EnergyPR
Instagram: @the_energpr
LinkedIn: Energy PR
Facebook: @EnergyPublicRelations
