In today's episode, we will take you through the journey of a world-class entrepreneur, Hilary Borndahl. She is the founder and CEO of MIIX Analytics and has held leadership roles in market research for 20 years. Host John Wiltshire and Hilary talk about the importance of putting your own mental health first and how she recognized an opportunity to launch a new business at the height of the pandemic.

Episode Highlights:

• Need to Reach out for Support (5:10): Hilary shares her experience of taking a leave from work to focus on her mental health after being diagnosed with anxiety and depression related to pandemic stressors. Hilary talks about how as leaders, we often check in with our team members and encourage them to take time off when needed and to connect with resources but we don't give ourselves the same grace.
• Confidence to meet the challenge (7:39): Hilary says, " We're prepared as industries to go through periods of recession and periods of growth, but never to hit something like a global pandemic." Her work-personal-life balance during the pandemic took a heavy toll. During a break from her corporate role, she saw an opportunity and created her plan to create Miix.
• Identifying the road to success in business (12:16): Hilary talks about the importance of every new business having a vision, solid marketing/communications plan and full organization chart even before you start recruiting. She points out that the first decision anyone who is thinking about striking out on their own needs to make is what their business structure will be. Decide first whether you will be an independent consultant or team based business and if it's the latter, what roles you will need to be successful once fully staffed.
• Important advice to achieve business success (14:04): "It is important to set objectives and have strategies in place to achieve revenue targets. Businesses should continue to do what they do best and reach out to clients across different industries. Your business needs to have an agile approach to overcome hurdles."

For more insight from a successful entrepreneur 🎧 listen to Hilary Borndalh's conversation with CMA's own John Wiltshire.