In today’s episode we’re joined by Alex Noonan and Sarah Humphries, co-founders of Sydney-based beauty market research agency The Review Works.  Following media, marketing and PR careers of nearly two decades each, Alex and Sarah decided to pursue the path of joint entrepreneurship during the pandemic whilst continuing to lead their existing independent media agencies. 

Alex and Sarah share with us their advice on starting a new company while simultaneously running another, how to approach it professionally rather than personally, and how trust and transparency are vital attributes to have as a business owner. 

Alex & Sarah’s advice:

• Starting a partnership is very different from setting up on your own: always be pragmatic and businesslike
• Remember to discuss issues frankly with each other; tackle things head on
• Don’t take things personally; if you have a disagreement, be respectful of each other
• A big advantage of a partnership is that you can support each other (with time off etc.) and take things in turn
• Make the most of bouncing ideas off each other
• Always know when to outsource - know what you do well and stick to that
• Contracting is better than paying salaries - at first anyway - and takes away pressure
• When employing people, ensure you are providing a nice place to work
• You owe it to your staff to be honest about your goals
• If you are running two businesses concurrently, make sure to give the second business its own schedule and its own time
• When running your own business, you will surprise yourself at the different skills you will be able to master

If you’d like to contact Alex or Sarah you can reach them on [email protected] and [email protected] 

Head over to Speakpipe to leave your voice note for future guests too.

FF&M enables you to own your own PR.
Recorded, edited & published by Juliet Fallowfield, 2022 MD & Founder of PR & Communications consultancy for startups Fallow, Field & Mason.

FF&M recommends: 

• LastPass the password-keeping site that syncs between devices.
• Google Workspace is brilliant for small businesses
• Buzzsprout podcast 'how to' & hosting directory
• Canva has proved invaluable for creating all the social media assets and audio bites.
• For contracts check out Law Depot.

MUSIC CREDIT Funk Game Loop by Kevin MacLeod.  Link & Licence

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