August 14, 2021
Entrepreneurs, Female Founder Spotlight, Latest Articles

Female Founder Spotlight: Sunny Bird

8 March 2021|Latest Posts, Meet the Successful Founder

Sunny Bird is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, published author and founder of Sunny Bird PR, Reaching Millions PR & Publicity Courses, the Perfect Dress Company and Co founder of New You Boot Camp, now known as New You Retreats.

Described by the Daily Mail as someone who has ‘the money gene’, However she says the secrets of the success of all her businesses is down to the power of PR and understanding what the customers really want.

What would you love to share to encourage other women to start their own company?

A long-standing assumption is that running your own business means having to work extremely long hours. This added pressure is at odds with the traditional role women are expected to play in running the house and raising kids. I and many other female entrepreneurs that I know disagree with these assumptions and believe that there is an opportunity to achieve a better work-life balance by starting up your own company. You get to choose your own hours and terms. You have the freedom to manage your own schedule and align it with your other responsibilities and needs to create a life that works for you and not someone else’s agenda.

For me, what has helped was taking the time to define what success means to me. I have found this has changed as my life has changed so give yourself the freedom to adapt what success means to you at different times of your life. However, taking the time to do this at the beginning of your journey helps and allows you not to fall in to the comparison trap.

For me success now means the freedom to pick my daughter up from nursery, being present for dinner, bath times and bed times. To work from wherever I want in the world and on things that I love and I am passionate about. Whatever the case, the business should fit in with the vision you have for your life and not the other way around. As obvious as it may sound it took me a while to figure this out.

What are your top tips for entrepreneurial success?

Believe in yourself, show up and take action

How many times have you heard a friend see a successful business and say I had that idea? Ideas are great, but success only comes through action. The number one reason people don’t take action is simply because they do not believe in themselves. The thing is, whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right. If you believe that you can succeed, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll just find excuses. So believe in yourself, show up, take action and you will be one step ahead of those that don’t. Keep believing in yourself, keep showing up and amazing things can happen.

Have a vision and clear goals

Have a clear vision of what goals you want to achieve. Set your goals and then work backwards and make steps of how you are going to achieve those goals. Keep your vision clear at all times and remind yourself of your goals each day as it will keep you inspired and motivated. Having the end in mind every day ensures you’re working towards it.

Help others and they will help you

Remember it is not all about you! We are all busy, but you don’t mind making time for someone who has gone out of their way to help you. So before you meet someone you want something from, figure out how you can help them first.

There is no such thing as failure

Failure is an important part of your journey. The main thing is to learn from the failure as then you will see the value from it. Failure is valuable as it gives you knowledge, character and growth. Failure does not define you but what defines you is what you do after failure and how you move forward. Keep going and don’t give up.

Make your business customer focused

Assuming what customers want or need will never lead to success. You must ask them directly, and then carefully listen to what they say. Unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning. Let unhappy customers teach you where the holes in your service or product are.

Give yourself the freedom to adapt

As your business grows you need to be open and flexible about what you are offering. If you take note of tip 6 you will need to watch how people respond and modify your idea, product, business accordingly. Ideas, products and businesses need freedom to adapt and evolve.

Go above and beyond

Deliver more than your customers expected. It’s a great way to get noticed in your industry and build a loyal following.

Make yourself known

We have all heard of the famous Bill Gates saying “If I was down to my last dollar I would spend it on PR.” Well the good news is if you have the time, PR doesn’t need to cost a thing. How will people know about the amazing service or product you offer if you keep it to yourself? Putting yourself and your brand out there takes courage. You may well not be used to blowing your own trumpet and may be anxious about what will happen if and when you do, but you can only truly grow by people knowing what you offer. Shout about your success and wins at every opportunity and on every platform. Ask clients and customers for testimonials and then SHARE them! Tell your audience your plans, get them excited about your journey. Be consistent with your communication and you will reap the rewards.

Is it exciting? Do you truly believe in it? Do you love it?

There’s no doubt that running a business takes a lot of time and energy. It’s not going to be a constantly upward trajectory, there will be highs, there will be lows, you will get knock backs. There will be days you will just want to GIVE UP. So before you take the leap of setting up your own business or starting a new job ask yourself three questions. Is it exciting? Do I truly believe in it? Do I love it? If the answer to ALL of the questions is NO then RUN…and keep running until you can say yes to at least one of them. You won’t mind spending the time if you do work that gets you excited, that you truly believe in or love.

Health is wealth

Make your health a priority. Without your health you have nothing. Health is your most important asset, so make yourself a priority and look after yourself!