Divorced with 5 kids, and launching a startup, Karen Porter thinks that there are a lot easier things to do than run a business. Nine years later her business is worth 7 million plus, and she has a boatload of experience about what works and what doesn’t. She has very practical tips on what it takes to work through the tough bits of business. 👉🏼 Want to share your experience? Ask a question? Share a resource? Jump on our podcast Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/zoerouthpodcast Why you should listen: 🎧 How sharing problems helps the team step up and buy in 🎧 How to balance compassion for someone you fire and looking after the business 🎧 Why getting to know your numbers is a game changer We explore: • How business is a great game you can play • The moment Karen realised she was running a ‘real’ business • Putting her hand up to run in the next Federal election as a candidate for the New Liberal party in the Eden Monaro electorate *** SHOWNOTES: https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/karenporter Links: Karen’s Eden Monaro candidate facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/karenporterEM/ About Karen: Karen Porter had the opportunity to work for both Local and Federal Governments over a 22 year period and her 4th and 5th pregnancies led her to become a small business owner with her then husband in the construction industry. In 2011 their marriage broke down and Karen decided to pursue the double glazing side of her business on her own. The business grew from a virtual start up to a multi-million dollar business. Karen has been recognised for her achievements through both the Telstra Business and Women's Awards, had the honour of being named Canberra Business Woman of the Year and also the National Women in Construction Award as a Business Professional. In recent years, Karen has judged the awards that she has won and is currently a Board Director of the Master Builders Association and President of the Bredbo Progress Association where she lives. Three of Karen's five children work in her business and she is currently on the pathway to being a Candidate in the next Federal Election. *** Related Episodes: E159 - How to build a successful business in a competitive market - with Co-Founder, Sarah Rajic https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/sarahrajic E157 - How to be a Measured Risk Taker with Stuart Althaus https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/stuartalthaus E134 - My biggest failure was needing to be right - Marene Allison, CISO Johnson & Johnson https://www.zoerouth.com/podcast/mareneallison *** About your podcast host, Zoë Routh: Zoë Routh is one of Australia’s leading experts on people stuff - the stuff that gets in our way of producing results, and the stuff that lights us up. She works with the growers, makers, builders to make people stuff fun and practical. Zoë is the author of three books: 'Composure - How centered leaders make the biggest impact', 'Moments - Leadership when it matters most' and 'Loyalty - Stop unwanted staff turnover, boost engagement, and build lifelong advocates." Zoë is also the producer of the Zoë Routh Leadership Podcast. www.zoerouth.com