What is more important, talent or drive?
I would say drive is definitely more important. To me, it means that you are enjoying what you're doing. You can be really talented at something but if you hate doing it, you won't pursue it and exploit the best of your talent. I think a lot of talents can also be learned, but drive can't!

On a scale of one to ten, how significant a role does luck play when it comes to success?
Five. When we first started our business, we were able to pretty much immediately secure distribution of our Moxie Tampons range in Woolworths nationally and I was convinced we were just really lucky! Since then, however, I met someone that said to me "you create your own luck" - I'd never thought of it this way before. I believe it helps to have luck on your side but ultimately you are the driver of it; if you want something really badly it will happen!

Which is more critical, the idea or the execution?
Both. I would say both are just as important as each other as they come hand in hand. You can have an excellent idea but if you don't execute it properly, then the idea is useless.

Is it better to be passionate or objective?
Passionate. To me, being objective is more of a process or a plan you put in place in order to meet certain outcomes and targets and I think this comes with being organised, realistic, and knowing your business. Being passionate doesn't come easily for everyone, it's an emotion best cherished so if you are passionate about what you do, it's definitely a bonus. As a business owner or manager, being passionate is important because it can really reflect in your actions which I think in turn positively impacts the way your team works.

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

1. Drive
   Organisational skills
   Relationship skills
   Talent
   Confidence

What one trait has helped you most in business?
There have been a few things, the main one is being a female! As a female, I have an emotional connection/interest in my products on a non-business level which actually assists in giving me a different perspective when making business decisions. I can see and judge things through our consumer's eyes. Other traits that have assisted in successfully running the business would be honesty, integrity, being open minded, and not being hierarchical - everyone is respected and everyone's role is equally important.

What is the one trait that has hindered you most in business?
A lack of know-how and experience in running a business, particularly the finance side of things. I have a marketing background and unfortunately, numbers aren't my forte! Finance (particularly cash flow and forecasting) is a critical part of any business which is sometimes under-estimated or over-looked. I think it would have been beneficial if I had a better grasp of this before we started.

What is the hardest lesson you've learned and how did you learn it?
I've learnt that communication is key. Working in a small business, it's been really important for us to be honest and open with each other because if one person is unhappy, it's really reflected throughout the rest of the team. Problems that may start off quite small can erupt really quickly if an issue isn't dealt with immediately.

What is the one piece of advice you would offer other women in business?
Age and gender have nothing to do with how intelligent, driven, motivated, passionate or how good at your job you are. Don't let anyone tell you that you're not intelligent, driven, motivated, passionate or good at your job because you are female or because you're too young.

What are the biggest mistakes you see women making in business?
I wouldn't say I've seen "mistakes" as such - and anyway, who am I to judge, I've made plenty myself! If anything, I meet a lot of women who have excellent business ideas/initiatives but seem to lack the confidence in themselves and their ideas to follow them through. I'd say go with your gut and take a risk, otherwise you'll always ask yourself "what if...?"