What is more important, talent or drive?
They are not mutually exclusive, as I don't believe you can be truly successful without one or the other. However, if you have a little bit of talent and plenty of drive you can reach your full potential and be a success. On the flip side, if you have a lot of talent but no drive, you won't necessarily reach your full potential.

On a scale of one to ten, how significant a role does luck play when it comes to success?
Six. Undoubtedly there is an element of luck in success, however it comes from recognising when those lucky opportunities present themselves and making the most of them. It truly prevails when two opportunities arise and you choose the one that changes your life for the better, or alternatively you take the opportunity that makes you realise that's not the path you want to go down. Often it's only when you look back in time that you realise that the opportunity was a lucky one.

Which is more critical, the idea or the execution?
Execution. So many great ideas don't get off the table because the execution is deemed 'too hard' or is ineffective. A powerful combination for any successful business is having a creative team that generate the ideas and people skilled in delivering it to the customer. It's often difficult to have any one individual that can do both. That's where entrepreneurs spring up because they are capable of being creative and executing the concept.

Is it better to be passionate or objective?
Without a doubt, it's better to be passionate. I feel that a lot of great ideas in business would never come to fruition if looked at objectively. Objectivity often identifies 'why you can't or shouldn't'. Passion overrides all hurdles and makes what seems impossible, possible.

What is most and least important? Please rank your priorities.

1. Drive
   Talent
   Relationship skills
   Confidence
   Organisational skills.

What one trait has helped you most in business?
My passion. I'm so passionate about retail, my team and customers that I'm driven to make it successful. I love nothing more than walking into our stores and seeing all the ideas we've discussed come to fruition and passively observing the reaction from our team and customers.

What is the one trait that has hindered you most in business?
In my early days I tried to do everything and was too hands on. It took me a long time to realise that I should use the skills of those around me. My job is to lead and direct and I've got a talented team who should be empowered to get their jobs done.

What is the hardest lesson you've learned and how did you learn it?
It's important to make yourself known in your organisation so you are top of mind when the next opportunity arises. I haven't always managed up very well and made my ambitions known, and as a consequence, in the past, I have been overlooked for opportunities for promotion. I've tended to just get in and do my job hoping that my results would speak for themselves. Stand up and be recognised for your achievements, let your aspirations be known, take every opportunity to keep learning, and be respectful, professional and show true leadership if you want to be taken seriously for senior opportunities.

What is the one piece of advice you would offer other women in business?
Be confident in who you are and what you can offer. At the same time, recognise your weaknesses, work on them and never be afraid to ask for help. Surround yourself with people who are good at the things you are not and use the your combined skills for the benefit of the organisation.

What are the biggest mistakes you see women making in business?
Women should behave like women. They should be confident and assertive, keep it factual, never personal, and always behave professionally. If you want to be taken seriously, dress and behave seriously. Women must never lose sight of who they are. It's the differences that women bring to a team that create the greatest dynamics and benefits for an organisation.