What is more important, talent or drive?
Drive. Talent is important, of course, but give me the care factor and drive to get it done 10 times more than the talented employee who is late and has little care factor. Obviously, it's best to have both.

On a scale of one to ten, how significant a role does luck play when it comes to success?
Seven. Luck and timing is extremely important, as well as another 100 things that need to go right to make a business a success. For example, if I was trying to raise money in this current environment, it would be a struggle. However, opportunities have never been more available than right now. You also need some degree of luck to get the right people in your business, and it is the people who make or break your business.

Which is more critical, the idea or the execution?
Execution. Both are critical, but strategy and the idea is worth 10%, 90% is execution. Some of the best ideas in the world have failed due to poor execution. Why do two people have the same idea that one succeeds and the other does not? The idea was great, but the execution is key.

Is it better to be passionate or objective?
Passion gets you to the next level. Passion to make it work. Passion to care enough to find a solution to every problem. When passion plays a part, it does not feel like work because it is something you love.

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

1. Drive
   Relationship skills
   Organisational skills
   Talent
   Confidence

What one trait has helped you most in business?
All are important.

What is the one trait that has hindered you most in business?
Procrastination, often to do with a staff member who you know is not working out, but you put up with for far too long. In the long run, it costs you money.

What is the hardest lesson you've learned and how did you learn it?
I learnt very early in business that just because someone has the title of lawyer or accountant, it does not mean that they are the expert you think they are. Even if particular items did not make sense, I continued to go against my instincts and trust the lawyer or accountant. These days, I make sure that I understand all the details of the issue and use the expertise of my professionals but question them more. No one knows your business like you do, so if something does not make sense to you, often it is wrong.

What is the one piece of advice you would offer other women in business?
I do not think that there is a difference between women or men in business, so my advice is the same: know your business inside and out; make sure you do your own accounts in the early days so that you know how your business ticks;hire only exceptional people and do not tolerate mediocrity in your team, yourself and your suppliers. Be a great listener, and do not let arrogance lead to failure. For women who have small children, get great support around you. We are not superwomen, so if you do try and be mother, wife, friend and business woman without help, you will struggle to do it all well and it will lead to disappointment.

What are the biggest mistakes you see women making in business?
Trying to do it all. Not asking for help enough, not being themselves but trying to fit the business mould.