Jess is a bubbly and energetic communications and marketing specialist who joined the Sydney team of Angels in late 2011.

She has gained considerable experience from a vibrant career working with some of Australia’s leading innovations-based agencies such as the Australian Commission for the Future, the Australian Greenhouse Information Service, the Australian Antarctic Division, the National Oceans Office, many divisions of the CSIRO, a range of Special Research Centres and Cooperative Research centres, as well as leading industry associations.

She has also worked alongside some of Australia’s leading innovation-based companies, assisting them to realize their goals on an international stage, as well as providing strategic communications to some of the leading international conferences in industry sectors critical to Australia’s innovative future.

Jess is an experienced communications professional with skills in communications and marketing strategy and planning, media, public relations and advertising. She is a seasoned trainer and workshop facilitator and is an inspired business development planner. Her core skills are:

·                                                                                  Enterprise development

·                                                                                  Marketing and communication planning

·                                                                                   Media and public relations

Jess was most recently General Manager for the Save The Tasmanian Devil fund.

She is a three-time finalist in the Telstra Business Women’s Awards, and is a member of the Women Chiefs of Enterprise and Women on Boards.

Jess writes regularly for the Flying Solo network, to assist other small businesses and ‘solopreneurs’ around Australia and she is specialises in delivering her marketing experience to small-medium enterprise and ‘innovateurs’.

You can find out more about Jess via her linked-in profile.  

Sandra Ahlquist joined Marketing Angels in 2011 and brings with her 15 years marketing experience.

A dynamic and creative brand and marketing communications specialist, Sandra has experience in Australia, Asia and Europe.

Sandra is a dedicated senior strategic marketer with strong project management skills, and a proven track record in:

• Marketing strategy and planning
• Brand and positioning
• Marketing communications strategy development across integrated channels
• Marketing services management
• Project management and implementation
• Internet and social media marketing

Prior to joining the Marketing Angels flock, Sandra held a number of senior marketing roles in the corporate sector including;

• Marketing Manager at Trico Products
• Marketing Services Manager – V/Line Passenger
• Marketing and Communications Advisor – BP Australia
• Senior Account Director – George Patterson Y&R, Cummins & Partners
  working with clients Sensis, Yellow Pages, Fosters, Kmart
• Client Services Manager – Kmart/Officeworks – Coles Myer
• Senior Account Director – 141 International / Bates Europe
  working with clients British American Tobacco, Fijitsu, Lufthansa,

Relevant Industry experience includes;

• FMCG
• Oil / Energy
• Financial Services
• Government
• Retail
• Car Aftermarket
• Telecommunications
• Airlines
• SME – local businesses

Sandra has a passion for developing new brands and launching products to market.   Her knowledge across both client and agency positions will assist in building strong brand equity and customer loyalty, through consistent integrated communications programs, delivering on budget, on time for your business.

Sandra also writes a personal blog and is a Certified Practicing Marketer (CPM) with the AMI.

You can find out more about Sandra at her linkedin profile – or contact us to be introduced

Tonight I’m joining about 80 people at a party to celebrate Marketing Angel’s 10th Birthday Party! I am really looking forward to taking a moment to reflect on the journey that I’ve been on and to share that with many of those who have been part of it.

I have learnt more from running my own business than just about any other experience in my life (apart from becoming a parent).  And mostly I’ve learnt how much I really didn’t know when I started.  So for anyone else who’s on that same journey of running and growing a business here’s the 10 biggest lessons I’ve learnt over the past 10 years.

1. Understand the financials. For the earlier years in business I pretty much had my head in the sand when it came to understanding financial reports, financial jargon and financial modelling. Despite that our business grew quickly, a better understanding earlier would have meant our business grew  more profitably and would have helped us cope better during the GFC.  In my years as a marketing manager I’d managed budgets – totally different to what you need to know to run a business.
2. To grow a business you have to invest. There’s a huge difference between growing a valuable asset and buying yourself a job.  The former involves being willing to take risks, to invest cash sometimes when you don’t have the revenue yet to support the expenses you are undertaking and constant improvement and innovation.
3. Constant learning is key.  Keep your ears, eyes and mind open.  Read as many books, attend as many seminars and speak to as many other business owners as possible.  See criticism as an opportunity to learn too.  It’s hard to hear negative feedback but it’s probably more valuable for your business than glowing praise.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. This is something men in business are much better at than us chicks.  They’ll ask to be introduced to people who could help – whilst us ladies will hang back.  Make the most of the people around you and actively ask for introductions and assistance.
5. Surround yourself with peers. There are times when I’ve felt quite lonely.  Subsequently I’ve built a network of peers and mentors who are business owners that I’ve learnt heaps from and who have been a listening and supportive ear.   Those people have been invaluable me.
6. Put yourself out there. It’s not naturally an Australian thing to do – but unless you’ve got a stack of cash to throw at Marketing, building your personal profile, is really important.  That means actively chasing down media opportunities, putting yourself up for awards, public speaking, promoting yourself.  I started my business with a partner who did much of the personal flag waving for the business.  When she left I had to make myself get into public speaking, feel comfortable with being positioned as an “expert”.  It wasn’t easy but it’s made a huge difference to the building of our brand.
7. Work on that negative voice inside your head. You know the one.  The one that says, it’s too hard, I can’t do it, I should have done x, I’m not up to this, I’m not any good at y.  It’s a road to nowhere, an energy zapper, and the path to procrastination.
8. Toughen up. Sometimes you have to do things you don’t like and that you know will upset people.
9. Learn about people. Without the right people around you who are inspired, motivated, committed and engaged by YOUR leadership you will struggle.  Learning to be a leader has been so different to my background as a manager.  And I’m certainly not done.
10. Get a good wingman. During my business journey – I’ve also had the experience of having 3 children in a 3.5 year period.  I would have long given up or needed some support from mental health professionals without a great partner.  My husband has given me much needed reality checks, boosted me when I’ve felt low, supported the business in many many ways and more importantly done more than his share often when it came to domestics and child care.  Without that I wouldn’t be writing this post.

It’s been a wild ride and one that I still love!  And that – is the most important thing.

What have you learnt from your business journey?

The benefit of working with Katrina Flynn of Marketing Angels is peace of mind. She has the ability to visualise the best outcome and plans through to achieve it. She provides excellent reporting and has great communication skills. Although she works as an external third party I consider her part of my team, delivering good results and reducing our risks.

Omri Zelunzuk

Leasing Manager, Meriton

Join us at 10am on 22nd of September for our next webinar, “How to Define Your Brand & Brand Promise”.

Our last webinar was at capacity, so register early to avoid disappointment!

Chief Angel Michelle Gamble will help you explore what makes your business unique, and how you can transform that into brand and positioning.

Register now and check out our first webinar, which is now up on SlideShare.