1. What did you study at RMIT and what attracted you to that program?
I initially enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Project Management, but after four subjects (Graduate Certificate) I transitioned over to the Master of Business Administration. I made the leap to the MBA Program because it was clear that RMIT’s MBA was deeply guided by real-world experience and experts, and I was excited to learn in that space and build on the skills I knew I’d need to run my own business.
2. What is your business all about?
I provide experienced operations support to service-based CEOs and Consultants through business and project management services. I specialise in simplifying and streamlining day-to-day operations, leading teams, delivering projects and programs, and bringing strategies to life through action and impact. Simply put, I can take care of the parts of your business that are slowing you down, while you work on driving your business forward, so it’s a win-win.
3. Where do you see your business in 10 years’ time?
I see The Ops Side as the go-to for service-based CEOs and consultants who need someone in their corner to take care of the back-end of their business while they’re focussing on their clients, their expertise and making their community a stronger place. And on my side of the business, I see a team of talented operations experts brilliantly representing The Ops Side values in their work each day and feeling valued and excited while they do it!
4. How has studying at RMIT prepared you to run your business?
The MBA program was instrumental in shaping the way I run The Ops Side. From a practical perspective, the coursework equipped me with advanced knowledge in all aspects of business operations which I use every day to support my clients and their strategies. More importantly though, the emphasis on leadership and innovation has enabled me to develop and deliver creative outcomes for my clients which really maximise the impact of their resources on the community.
5. What advice would you have offered yourself when you first started your business?
Back yourself. Because when you do, others will too. And choose progress over perfection. It’s easy to spend too much time worrying about little finicky things when launching your own business and forget about the things that will actually get you clients, build your reputation or have an impact on your community - relationships.
6. What’s something people don’t expect when managing business projects?
Project Management is more about people than it is about plans. You can be the most meticulous planner in the world, but if you can’t bring people together, negotiate, solve conflicts and inspire change, your plans will stay on the page.
