Making Your Business Successful

Living and breathing the business she co-directs with her husband can also present challenges for Crawley. "Balance is important but I’m fortunate because I have a very wonderful and loving husband who helps me find and keep that balance. I think you have to be flexible and adjust, and just make the most of what is given to you."

Asked if there’s any rule at home around keeping business talk to a minimum, Crawley says rules don’t work in her house, especially since Christopher is a lawyer by profession, "and you never argue with a lawyer", she laughs.

"So we do talk a lot about business. We can even talk about it at very inappropriate times like 3am. But that’s what happens when the business is yours and it’s your life—there’s no boundaries, and no clock has to be involved."

Looking ahead, Crawley admits that while there are always plans to grow the business, timing is everything. "You always have to get the timing and the offer right, with a hope to grow in the future."

Crawley’s Tips For Success

• Don’t be a copycat. You can’t copy anything that’s already done. You have to be original, but don’t try to be something you’re not.

• Always learn. Don’t be afraid to listen to someone younger than you. They might say something that’s very important and can help.

• Be open-minded and be ready to change and grow with the business.

• Earn, don’t demand respect from staff, suppliers, and competitors.

• Have good people you can work with.