MARKETING EYE: WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO SWITCH FROM A STATE MANAGER POSITION AT MARKETING EYE’S SYDNEY OFFICE TO BECOMING A LICENSEE FOR THE COMPANY IN BRISBANE?

Melissa Sharp: Owning my own marketing business has been a long held dream. As Marketing Manager at the Marketing Eye Sydney office, I not only learned the unique Marketing Eye approach to successful marketing, I also learned that I had what it takes to run a successful marketing agency.

After growing the Sydney office and team, I was ready to make my dream of owning my own business a reality. I remember telling Mellissah Smith (Marketing Eye founder) that

I wanted to take the leap and own my own business and that I wanted to stay in the Marketing Eye family as a licensee. I chose Brisbane as my territory partly because I was ready for a new change and moving felt like a natural extension of the choice to start a new chapter professionally, and partly because I did not want to feel in competition with the great team we had established at the Sydney office. Choosing to become a Marketing Eye licensee was an easy decision, I knew the company resources and processes were first rate and that I could capitalize on those resources immediately.

ME: WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE WHEN STARTING THE BRISBANE OFFICE?

MS: My challenge was twofold. Firstly, I had the same challenge many growing business owners struggle with as a marketer – having the guts to delegate to ensure that the business can effectively grow. Thankfully the team at Marketing Eye are just as passionate about marketing as I am, and this made it easier to delegate projects knowing that they would produce high quality work. We also have specialists across many disciplines, so you don’t have to be an expert at everything yourself.

The second challenge was ensuring adequate cash flow during the start-up phase. I was able to act as a consultant for existing Marketing Eye Queensland accounts, which allowed me to focus on quickly growing Marketing Eye Brisbane without the added stress of typical start-up cash flow issues.

ME: HOW DO YOU MOTIVATE YOURSELF TO HELP CLIENTS REALIZE THEIR GOALS?

MS: There is a saying I love – ‘There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs’. As a licensee, helping my clients achieve success directly translates into success for my business, and remembering that your hard work translates into your own success is a powerful motivator.

I can personally relate to the business owners I work with, and I understand the drive behind business success is often much more than monetary goals. It’s making a difference

in people’s lives, improving on how things were done in the past or creating something magical and sharing that with the world.

ME: WHAT IS A QUOTE THAT YOU LIVE BY DAY TO DAY?

Steve Jobs said, “The only way to do great work, is to love what you do.” Again and again I see this simple concept ring true across many of the entrepreneurs I know and work with.

ME: WHO INSPIRES YOU THE MOST AND WHY?

MS: I am fortunate to work with some incredible business owners and am regularly inspired by my clients. Sharon Grant constantly inspires me with her savvy approach to business growth. She is one of the first

woman in her field to run a successful logistics consultancy and education company through her business LSC Solutions.

Dr Vajaya Chetty is not only a learned Doctor, she is the exceptionally smart and genuine woman behind a rapidly growing brand, dedicated to helping others be the best they can be.

I work with many people who inspire me by taking their passion and creating something that helps others, like my client Brendon Patrick who developed a unique platform to help Australian Personal Trainers succeed as business owners.

My fiancé is a personal inspiration, he enthusiastically supported moving interstate to start my own business and is as passionate as I am about the importance of doing what you love.

Mellissah Smith is an absolute inspiration. She is one of the smartest business women and marketers out there, is changing the marketing industry as we know it, and she seems to have an inexhaustible supply of energy!

ME: HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS AS A BUSINESS OWNER?

MS: To me, success is accomplishing your dream or goal in a positive way. I think it is important to recognize that to be successful, you must first dare to name your goal. Putting in the work is the only way to succeed. A smart business person also knows they don’t have to do everything themselves to achieve the outcomes they are looking for.

ME: HAVE YOU GOT ANYTHING EXCITING COMING UP THAT YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT?

MS: Marketing Eye Brisbane is proud to announce that we will be working with

the charity Mercy Ships Australia and we look forward to some exciting upcoming endeavours with the organization. Charity is close to my heart and part of the Marketing Eye culture and mandate.

ME: WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS FOR MARKETING EYE BRISBANE?

The future for Marketing Eye Brisbane is an exciting mix of ongoing growth, continuing to hit financial targets, and to give back through increased involvement with local Brisbane and Gold Coast networks supporting Queensland businesses. Many people start businesses, but as statistics show, most fail. They fail due to the same fundamental reasons. Marketing is one of them. I know that our model gives every startup, small and medium-sized business every chance of success. That makes being a marketer worthwhile.