30 Years In Business – blog series: Top Tips for building a 30-year business

While it is possible for anyone to start up their own business, it’s another thing to build a successful business – and then keep it successful for more than 30 years.

This takes a bit of something extra special.

But that is just what the family at Quickmail have done!

Building a successful business

Building a successful business means looking for strategies that will allow the success to last over time.

Quickmail have been making mailing, printing, warehousing and distribution make sense for three decades. We help eCommerce businesses to store, pack, and send their goods, as well as offer printing, mailing, and distribution services.

Sophie Stott, current Managing Director at Quickmail, and her father Jean Paul Tedeschi who founded the company back in 1992, have very kindly taken time out of their busy schedules to share their strategies for building long-lasting business success.

This November, Quickmail are celebrating 30 years in business – yep, 30 years.

So, they know a thing or two about running a successful business.

Check out our tips, which come from experience!

Top Tips for building a 30-year business

These tips are gold – so make sure you read them all. 

1.Remember, nothing will be perfect

Don’t wait for perfection – just start and make changes as your business or your market requires.

2. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes

Mistakes are a business owners’ best learning opportunity. Take your mistakes and learn from them.

3. Always remember that not making a decision is still making a decision

Inaction is still an action. It is choosing not to choose – and this can be a problem for a few reasons.

If you are indecisive, then you give time for your competitor to jump ahead of you, and you may also risk missing out on new opportunities and a chance to grow the business if you remain indecisive. Another issue can be that your mind gets a bit cluttered and overwhelmed. Indecision means you are essentially handing the power to others to decide for you.

Always remember that NOT making a decision is still making a decision!

4. Trust yourself BUT also use trusted advisors when needed

The right advice is invaluable. Being able to talk with a trusted contact, whether that be another business owner, a friend, a mentor – it means you can talk through any business concerns, thrash out issues or decisions to make, or simply have a sounding board to let out some feelings or worries.

Make sure you choose the right person as not everyone- be it friends or family will understand what you are going through.

5. Remember that no one else in the business will work as hard as you – and that’s ok

Just make sure you find staff who believe in you and your vision. While employees might not have the same attachment to the business that you do, many employees if treated right, will give their all to their role.

6. Treat those staff fairly

So, it is important to treat your staff and your contractors fairly. Set out clear job descriptions and KPI’s, pay them fairly, accommodate their flexible working requests where possible, and treat them as the talent they are.

7. Watch your cashflow

Always put your tax and super obligations away weekly or monthly so that you never owe $$$ to the government. And look to set up and manage a good cashflow system, seek advice from a trusted accountant or experienced advisor if needed.

8. Earn the trust of your clients/customers and then show loyalty to them

Customer trust is important because it can help you attract and retain loyal customers plus loyal customers can become brand ambassadors.

9. Respect your suppliers

Just like your employees, you suppliers can often become raving fans of yours! Many of our Quickmail suppliers go way above and beyond the call of duty to talk positively about us.

We respect our suppliers because it’s the right thing to do but it also shows a really strong, positive and professional internal culture.

10. Have a dream – and stay close to it

While it’s not possible to always be upbeat and passionate, it is important to stay close your dreams and remember you “why’s”.

You started your business with a dream to either make a difference in the world, set yourself up for success, provide for your family, or to make a lot of money.  So even when things get rough, look for that passion, drive and determination that you had when you first set out on this adventure.

There’s no way to sugar coat it – running a business will take hard work and dedication – oh and patience! But it can be so, so worth it if you get it right.

Congrats to Quickmail on celebrating 30 years in business!

We make mailing, printing, warehousing, and distribution make sense

Quickmail have been making mailing, printing, warehousing and distribution make sense for three decades. They help eCommerce businesses to store, pack, and send their goods, as well as offer printing, mailing, and distribution services.

Check out what we have to offer and contact us to find out more.

Get in touch with Sophie today to discuss how Quickmail can assist you: (08) 9493 0477 or sophie@quickmail.com.au

www.quickmail.com.au