Heather Delaney is MD and Founder of Gallium Ventures, an award-winning strategic communications consultancy which builds and fixes brands, from startups to high-profile organisations, supporting across communications strategy through to creative PR and marketing activations, and even exit or IPO.
- Can you tell us a little about your background and your company?
I was born in Silicon Valley, at an exciting time when tech developments were really taking off, and I grew up immersed in innovative technology. It was almost inevitable that I would build a career in the tech landscape, working over the past decade in California, London and various other locations across the globe. As a transatlantic entrepreneur, with a roster of global clients, I decided to set up Gallium Ventures in London because it conveniently sits in-between time zones. This allows us to collaborate with companies all over the world during a 9 to 5 work day.
- What inspired you to start your business?
Gallium Ventures was created out of frustrations with agencies not understanding what it is brands actually need. So I set out to offer a sharp and creative hub, where people come first. We are a talented and passionate team, where members are supported and encouraged to thrive as we continue our growth trajectory.
My ongoing goal for Gallium is to give back and support entrepreneurs and talent on their journey. Business shouldn’t be “me first” but instead about challenging the status quo and helping all founders grow their businesses. In particular, I have set out to help female founders that are so often sidelined and nurture the talent of women that specialise in technology.
- How did you create awareness for your brand?
Having worked with many companies and founders globally over the years I am really proud to say that our awareness comes from word-of-mouth recommendations. Those who have worked with me and the team in the past continue to recommend to others that they bring us in, and I am incredibly grateful for this as it tells me we are doing the right thing.
- What strategies helped you secure funding and scale your business?
We take a “happiness first” approach. We are not explicitly geared towards the typical consultancy goal of hitting a certain number of staff; whether we are 3 or 300 people, if my team is growing, learning and loving the work they do, then they will show up and deliver the best results in the industry. When companies working with us see us as members of their own team and are happy with the results, then their happiness feeds back into the team.
This happy circle is a positive loop that keeps our company culture buzzing and helps us to grow at a steady, organic pace.
- What have been your biggest successes so far?
It’s hard to summarise but it’s been pretty cool to have launched products globally, arranged for founders to meet Presidents and Princes, secured in excess of $100million in crowdfunding, VC investment and angel funding for over 100 tech clients in gaming, hardware, software and consumer tech industries, and even to have had a product featured in the Simpsons!
- What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Like many entrepreneurs, I have faced many challenges throughout my career. Though like many female entrepreneurs, there have been additional hurdles, including fighting for equal pay, casual sexism and harassment in the workplace. The way I see it is that every experience is a case study to learn from, and what I have experienced in the past drives me to ensure that the Gallium Ventures team should never have to face this.
- What are your plans for the future?
We are always looking for opportunities to grow in new markets and to work with brands that allow us to be creative and make a measurable difference to their companies. We want to continue delivering the best work for our clients and carry on driving results that are internationally recognised.
- What advice would you give to aspiring female entrepreneurs?
Make connections. Going it alone running a business can get a little lonely, so build yourself a network of like minded entrepreneurs. I also strongly believe in having a “mentoring board”, rather than a single mentor, to guide you in different areas from communication, to accounts, to starting/scaling a business, and more.
- What are your top three tips for entrepreneurial success?
1. First, find your passion. No great work can be done without it being something that you enjoy and are genuinely curious about. Figure what truly ignites your passion and aligns with your values.
2. Be resilient. Change is the only constant, make sure to embrace it and be prepared to pivot when needed. The business world is fast paced and notoriously difficult to predict, so being adaptable to new situations is necessary for long-term success.
3. Give everything a go and don’t be afraid to fail. I am a firm believer that any negative experience is something to learn and grow from. Take a step back and view it as a puzzle. Ask yourself what the overall picture is and then break it down into little pieces as this will start to tell you what went wrong and what can be done differently next time.
- Who are five people who inspire you the most, and why?
The two most inspiring people in my life have to be my mother, who served in the police in the USA during a time when female officers were rare, and my grandmother, who was a WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilot). Both are inspirational as they worked in sectors that were not particularly welcoming to women at the time.
- What are your favourite inspirational or motivational quotes?
As a big Star Trek fan, the character Spock speaks words of wisdom when he says: “Insufficient facts always invite danger”.
- Where can our readers connect with you?
