Jacqui Hine of No Grey Creative is our amazing graphic designer and creator of our marketing programs. I have been fortunate to know Jacqui for over 5 years now and regard her as a successful business woman and friend. I was delighted when she agreed to be interviewed about her business journey for our International Womens’ Day edition. I hope Jacqui’s story inspires anyone who is thinking of setting out on their own in business.

What got you started in your business?

I loved graphic design, it’s interesting and fun and it’s what I studied but I felt creatively stuck where I was working and always thought it would be nice to work for myself. It was always the goal and I even came up with the name for the business (No Grey Creative) while I was still a student at university.

What have been the greatest challenges on your journey?

Hanging in there when things aren’t going to plan. Starting out as a 23 y.o. female I really had no business experience and I had to work really hard to get credibility. I remember thinking to myself all I need to do is meet my mortgage payment each month and the rest I can work out even if I have to eat baked beans.

My Dad was very encouraging for me to go out on my own, he has done a lot of business management. His support and mentoring helped me get my first customer.

And the greatest rewards?

I definitely think my life is a lot more interesting than what it would have been had I stayed in a corporate role. It is ten times the stress because sometimes I have to push myself to the limit. At the end of the day though I have more rewards financially and personally. It has pushed me forward as a creative person and I have my own website with a fantastic portfolio of clients and creative work. I have learned about a multitude of industries from HR to hospitality to panel beating, which I wouldn’t have been exposed to if I had stayed in the one job.

How has the environment for women changed in business since you started out?

The environment for women in business has changed dramatically since I began my business 10 years ago, but I have also changed too. I remember when I joined my first networking group at 23 turning up to find there were only 3 females out of 30 and I was the youngest there by at least 15 years. Back then a typical question was “Are you married and do you have children?” I don’t think many of the men I met then had come across another person of my age and female, running their own business. But now there are more women around who are in business and the networks are more balanced and a variety of ‘women in business’ networks to join. As well as that I am now more experienced and I feel I can answer any question confidently about what I do.

What advice would you give to women who are thinking about starting their own business now?

You can work it out for yourself and you know what to do. You have female intuition and that is a huge asset. Obviously, ask other people for advice and have a support network around you, but at the end of the day, you can do anything. Have a go at it, trust your intuition and try not to be worried about the outcome.