What is more important, talent or drive?
Talent. You actually can't separate talent from drive if you want to succeed. Think of a racing car - you need to have talent to design the sleek, beautiful chassis of the car, but you also need to have an engine to drive it forward and make you a winner.

On a scale of one to ten, how significant a role does luck play when it comes to success?
One. I don't believe luck plays a significant part. It certainly doesn't hurt, but you can't build a business on the expectation that you will be lucky. You have to do the work, believe in yourself and your vision, surround yourself with a great team, and then be happy if fortune smiles on your efforts.

Which is more critical, the idea or the execution?
Execution. There are plenty of good ideas around. But the people who really distinguish themselves are the ones who recognise a good idea, then take the steps to execute it and transform it into a reality. In business in particular, people with vision are not just people with good ideas. They are people who know how to execute that vision to produce results.

Is it better to be passionate or objective?
Passionate. Everyone uses the word "passionate" and it has lost some of its meaning. Instead, I would say that it is crucial that you care deeply about what you are doing and that you are committed to giving it your all. It is a whole-hearted involvement. This doesn't mean that you can't be objective when it comes to making decisions in business. Not at all.

What is most and least important? Please rank your priorities

1. Talent
   Drive
   Confidence
   Relationship skills
   Organisational skills

What one trait has helped you most in business?
I love retail and I love solving the problems that the business throws at me every day. It gives me a buzz to face these challenges and come up with creative solutions. In fashion retail, we need to present multiple collections each season, so I have to problem-solve and make decisions swiftly so that we can react to the latest figures.

What is the hardest lesson you've learned and how did you learn it?
In retail, the hardest and probably the most important lesson is: ignore your customer at your peril. You have to be sensitive to the needs of your customers and you have to listen to them constantly. We created the new flagship Sportsgirl store in Bourke Street, Melbourne, because young Australian women were telling us that they wanted a different type of fashion experience. - a place where they could re-design themselves, their clothes, and their make-up, as well as hang out with friends and listen to live music.

What is the one piece of advice you would offer other women in business?
Be daring! Dare to be the best. Take risks, dare to go against the stream and don't accept the limitations or stereotypes that others try to impose on you. Stereotyping should never be allowed to restrict your fields of endeavour.

What are the biggest mistakes you see women making in business?
Not trusting their intuition. Intuitive thinking was discredited for a long time, but then it was re-labelled as "emotional intelligence" and considered an important leadership skill. Women should not be afraid to use all their skills and capabilities.