Gain insights on business growth in our series of bite size chats with business leaders, which are brought to you by The FD Consultant.
In this edition’s Insights Q&A, we welcome Debbie Gilbert, Founder of Best Business Women Awards, Viva Business Support and BusinesswomenUnLtd.
Since the late 1990s, Debbie has built a portfolio of businesses that share a common theme: supporting and inspiring entrepreneurs.
We hope you enjoy this edition of Insights with Debbie’s experiences and insights.
Hi Debbie, please tell us about your businesses.
Over the past 25 years I’ve built a portfolio of businesses which have a common theme, supporting and inspiring entrepreneurs.
Firstly, Viva Business Support is a marketing and events business which serves SME with marketing support, event management and LinkedIn training. I started this business in 1998, when the internet was in its infancy and there was no such thing as social media! The business started out of necessity because I needed flexibility to care for my father who suffered from dementia, a mother who had MS and a young child.
My second business is Businesswomen UnLtd which started in 2011 and is a networking company supporting female entrepreneurs with networking events.
Finally, I run the Best Businesswomen Awards which started in 2015 and we are a national awards event for female entrepreneurs.
What are the key factors which have driven your growth to date?
Networking events have been my key driver and they have consistently delivered leads to my business.
Networking events have been my key driver
I have also been willing to invest in my business and have always been open to advice and support from trusted advisors.
What makes you so passionate about what you do?
In the networking and awards businesses - seeing others succeed and recognising success, there is nothing better.
seeing others succeed and recognising success
The marketing and events side of the business allows me to use my creativity to come up with ideas and ways in which businesses can gain leads and grow their revenue.
What do you view as your greatest achievement in this role to date?
I have so many that I’m proud of!
A Bestselling book (The Successful Mumpreneur), a podcast ( The Business Awards Show) and multiple business awards (my highlight was Female Entrepreneur of the Year at the Great British Awards 2024), and creating a national awards programme from scratch.
What are the biggest challenges your business faces?
Recruiting and retaining good staff has always been a problem for me. I have had some amazing staff over the years, but also some people who have not shaped up!
Because I am a small organisation, it has been a struggle to attract talented people as I cannot compete with the larger agencies.
I do invest in staff and their training but people have left in order to take their next step. With the business being an SME there isn’t always room for progression. To solve this, in the past year I have moved back to using freelancers rather than employees and relocated to Somerset. I no longer have a fixed office.
I do invest in staff and their training
What one piece of advice would you give to those who want to achieve or sustain high growth in their businesses?
Get advice and support from multiple sources and not from a friend!
Use professional advisors, such as an accountant, an entrepreneur agency, or a funding/investment circle.
Be prepared to invest in your business and yourself – this will pay dividends.
Create support around you from likeminded business owners and be part of a mastermind or networking group which gives you the opportunity to share ideas and gain valuable feedback.
Be prepared to invest in your business and yourself – this will pay dividends.
We hope you found Debbie's comments informative and thought provoking.
Please visit their websites below if you'd like to know more about Debbie and her various businesses.
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