‘The winner of the Telstra Business Women’s Awards Entrepreneur of the year goes to…’
It was 2015 and the moment was surreal. I waited with the other finalists; heart beating rapidly. There I was, surrounded by friends, family and colleagues while the glitz and glamour of the Telstra Business Women’s Awards buzzed around me. It felt surreal.
I was so excited to be a finalist in this category. I knew I deserved it. I had worked hard in my career. I was a woman and a mother who had managed to build several successful businesses on my own without financial help or aid from anyone.
I knew what winning this award would mean to me. It would be validation for all I had achieved. A cherry on the top of a hard-earned career. Yet it would also mean time away from my daughter.
It was drummed into us during the pre-award festivities: the commitment needed from finalists. The interviews, luncheons, breakfasts, the opening of shopping malls… (just kidding, there were no opening of shopping malls promised. But how great would it be to cut through a ceremonial ribbon with those over-sized scissors?)
I knew it would be a challenge to juggle the extra engagements being an award winner would bring. I was up for that challenge, yet I needed to prepare my 8 year old daughter, Aiva for the possible impact. I explained to her there would be a lot of things I would have to say yes to in the coming weeks and months if I won. Mummy would be a lot busier.
Aiva was there sitting next to me as we waited for the presenter to announce the winner for Entrepreneur of the Year.
It wasn’t me.
I felt myself heaving a sigh of relief. Aiva burst into tears. Was she sad I had lost?
Through her tears, Aiva asked if my losing meant I wouldn’t have to say yes to all those extra engagements. ‘Yes, that’s right,’ I told her.
Then I realised. Aiva wasn’t crying because I had lost. Aiva was crying with relief – because now her Mummy would still have time for her.
In the weird, serendipitous way the world often works, it turns out that losing Entrepreneur of the Year was the best thing to happen to me.
Why? Because it was never my dream to win some big award. It was my dream to have it all. It’s what they always say, isn’t it? You can never have it all? It’s either your career or your personal life – you can’t have both.
Actually; you can.
Thanks to the systems and processes I’ve implemented in my businesses, along with the tremendous support of my husband, I really do have it all.
The quality time I spend with my family is just that: quality time. No phone calls interrupting dinner, no emails interrupting movie night. When I’m with my family, I’m one hundred percent focused on my family.
Every year we vacation overseas and I can do this without taking my laptop or even my phone. This doesn’t mean my businesses are neglected. On the contrary; they flourish, even in my absence. I have achieved this by having a committed team behind me who are able to follow the systems and processes I have put in place, ensuring each business runs smoothly and professionally. There are no questions my staff need to ask me where the answers cannot be found in our procedures. Automation, autonomy and smart technology enables me to run my business – not have my business run me.
Having your own business should not be torture. It shouldn’t take you away from your family life and the ones you love.
Having your own business should be rewarding, fulfilling, and (eventually) easy.
Yes, easy. It’s doable. You just need to know how to do it. And now that I have figured it out for me, I want you to help you achieve the goal of having it all.
This piece was written in 2016 while Tammy was still the owner and CEO of Tuckfield Conveyancing.
And now, Tammy has the time, knowledge, and skills to help other business owners to do the same.
Through objective advice and strategically challenging questions, Tammy’s passion is to help her clients stay focused on their long-term goals and take purposeful steps towards them.
Don’t just take my word for it!
Here’s a taste of what others have to say.
Carolyn Cattrall
January 19, 2023
What do I get from Tammy’s Table, the camaraderie, the ooh moments, the opportunity to be a cheer leader and to be cheered on, to learn about and reflect on my business. Mostly I love the diversity of the business owners in our group but we all have in common the passion for what we do. And each and every meeting we laugh, so good!
Louise Pottering Around
November 15, 2022
I engaged Tammy for her six session intensive program and have since decided to join Tammy’s Table. I found my time with her so valuable and would highly recommend it. When your head is a spaghetti of thoughts, ideas, questions, business, family….to sit for a couple of hours each month, just focus on my business, and untangle some of that spaghetti, to set realistic goals, targets, logistics was fantastic. Some sessions were more structured than others, but all were driven by what I needed most as a business owner that month. It’s early days at Tammy’s table for me, but so far I am feeling welcomed, secure and valued. I am already gaining confidence and ideas from the knowledge and experience in the group. I’m looking forward to making the most of this supportive community!
Your Property Strategy
August 24, 2022
I’ve been a member of Tammy’s Table for almost two years now and have seen a substantial improvement in how I run my business through the valuable monthly sessions and even more valuable connections I’ve made during this time. Tammy is brilliant at connecting the right people with each other, creating mutually beneficial and lasting relationships. I highly recommend Tammy’s Table to any small business as the return on investment is incredibly high. You might even have a laugh along the way.
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