What is more important, talent or drive?
For me, I believe drive is far more important than talent. When I first started Carman's, I was only 18 years old, living at home with my parents and working night and day to get my muesli made and out into the marketplace. I managed to get Carman's muesli into some local cafes and delis, and built the business to the stage where we had about 80 customers. Meanwhile, I was taking sample bags into Coles and getting rejection after rejection. The hard work really paid off when Carman's was listed into 20 Coles stores. Coles had decided to give Carman's Muesli a go. I walked out of that meeting into their foyer and burst into tears. One of the most important things is to be persistent - you will always come up against obstacles so you need to keep fighting for your brand.

On a scale of one to ten, how significant a role does luck play when it comes to success?
Three. I believe you can make your own luck with the right attitude. I believe that success comes from a "can do" attitude, a lot of hard work and a willingness to take risks. What others often perceive as a risk, I often see as an opportunity. If luck does come your way, you have to grab it with both hands and run with it.

Which is more critical, the idea or the execution?
Execution. Lots of people have great ideas. However, it is how you can turn that idea into reality that is the crucial issue for success. I believe entrepreneurs have the ability to execute ideas into reality and that is what separates them from others who sometimes just dream but nothing comes to fruition.

Is it better to be passionate or objective?
Passionate. I've always been very passionate about what I do, and 17 years on I feel I'm just as passionate, if not more so, as I was when I started Carman's. You have to have a strong belief in what you are creating. Passion is also something I look for in staff members. At Carman's, we are passionate about making healthy, delicious products and I believe it shows in both our products and our culture as a whole.

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

1. Drive
   Relationship skills
   Organisational skills
   Confidence
   Talent

What one trait has helped you most in business?
Attitude is everything. I believe having a positive attitude is paramount to having a successful business. Having a positive attitude ensures you are doing the best you can with what you have got. If you always think the glass is half full, you will find it rubs off on those around you and leads to a happier and healthier life.

What is the one trait that has hindered you most in business?
One trait that hindered the early business was trying to take on too much myself and not hiring staff early enough to help with the growth of the company. I had to learn how to delegate, to work on my strengths in the business, and find staff with skills to do what I am not as good at. However, I believe that mistakes made along the way have made me stronger.

What is the hardest lesson you've learned and how did you learn it?
I have had to learn to pick myself up and dust myself off when I've felt knocked to the ground. It all came about when a business decision did not go my way. The Carman's business was halved when one supermarket chain deleted all of our lines many years ago, but with persistence, they we were reinstated 12 months later. I learned not take the decision personally, and move onward and upward.

What is the one piece of advice you would offer other women in business?
Don't expect to give up your job on a Friday and open your business on a Monday. Try and get your idea up and running before you need to make a living from it, as this can cause a lot of financial stress. I think you have a lot to gain by asking lots of people for advice and input on your business idea, rather than keeping it a secret. However, trust your own instincts because sometimes you just have to go for it and drive it like you stole it!

What are the biggest mistakes you see women making in business?
I sometimes see women dressing provocatively and thinking that flirting with their male counterparts will help get them ahead. I just do not think women need to use this to succeed.