“My ultimate key to success is fronting up day in day out, even when you feel like giving up. It’s that persistence and that consistency and that relentlessness in the pursuit of your vision, which I think takes a certain amount of grit and a certain person to roll up their sleeves and do what needs to get done.” – Tess Robinson.

Every time we do a call out for topic suggestions on the podcast, at least one person requests an interview with Tess Robinson (and it’s no wonder why). Owner of renowned design agency Smack Bang Designs, one half of StartUp Creative, and founder of several other businesses on the go, Tess Robinson knows a thing or two about success. Kaylene Langford sits down with Tess to discuss the story behind Smack Bang Designs and how she turned a freelancing gig with zero clients into a successful business with 15 staff. Tess shares her definition of success (hint: it involves chickens), her three keys to success, and her tips on avoiding burnout.

They also chat about social media’s ability to obscure the truth. “All you’re seeing is the highlight reel. It’s like the blurb on the back of the book selling the story. Inside that book are chapters and chapters of tears and hard work and ups and downs.” Grab your pen and paper – you’re going to want to take notes from this business powerhouse.