Hi my name is Lorrie from Family Law Services Online.  I am a mediator and conflict resolution specialist for couples and separated families.

Most people know that going through separation, divorce or in general just having a crappy time within their relationships, isn’t nice.  Yet when you go through this so many individuals and families struggle with what to do, how to do it and what’s the way forward. Far too often, I have seen adults acting like children and children suffering because of it.  When I look at the impact that we get to make today, what lights me up the most is that a child that I will probably never get to meet, grows up with parents that they know love them, care about them and whether they live together or not is completely irrelevant because they know that they are safe.  

As an successful entrepreneur please share your view point if you believe that entrepreneurs are born or made?

I believe we are made.  We all have the ability to create ideas and see the gaps in what is currently available but it is the drive, passion and confidence to pursue those ideas is what sets an entrepreneur apart from everyone else.  

Nelson Mandela once quoted – ‘I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.’

What has been one fear you have overcome?

Simple, putting myself out there.  For a long time, I searched for the ability to create a business that didn’t require me to step up as I was scared – what would people say?  What would they think?  Then, I realised that if I am going to succeed in helping families and children that I need to step up and be the person they need. 

Tell us what the word “empower” means to you?

To me, empower is a word that encompasses so much.  It means that you lead by example, you give your people the tools that they need to be able to do the work themselves and you are there to support and help pick them up along the way.  

What has been one of the biggest business ideas you have had and how did you have the courage to implement it?

To create an online communication platform for separated parents.  This was my first business I set up for myself.  It required a significant capital investment and it has taught me so many lessons about self belief, confidence not to mention tech!

Running your own business can be scary. Success requires moments of courage to push through to the next level, please tell us one of the moments you have had to push through to take your business to the next level?

Asking people for help!  It is funny – normally asking for help isn’t a big deal, but all of a sudden when you are running a business the buck stops with you and at times, that has made me feel like I should have all the answers and I should be able to do everything myself.  It has taken a while to realise that asking for help doesn’t mean I am failing – in fact it means I am up-levelling and realising that there are things I still need to learn, grow and develop.

Tell us what attributes you feel make a good leader in business today?

Someone who has a clear vision but is open to how it can be implemented.  To be able to listen and learn from others but be confident in making a decision and sticking to it.

What is your favourite quote about empowerment?

If it is not going to matter in 5 years don’t spend more than 5 minutes being upset about it.

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start their own business?

Ask questions and don’t stop asking.  The more you ask the more you will learn and then when you are ready to start you will be armed with knowledge that comes from experience so that you don’t have to make the same mistakes as your predecessors. 

What would be one (1) question you would you ask the person who most inspires you? Also share with us about this person and why they inspire you?

At what point did they realise that they had achieved their goal?  

There are many people I would like to ask this question to.  I can’t say that I have one particular person who inspires me more than others.  Each person inspires me for different reasons.  Their courage, their business accumen, their attitude and confidence.  Their ability to overcome obstacles – I believe that we can learn so much from everyone but I also wonder, with a constant focus on achieving a goal – do we actually realise it when we get there or only afterwards – when we move on to the next one.  Does it feel like they imagined it would?   

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