The South Australian Young Entrepreneur Scheme (SAYES) has been in operation for 18 years!
We recently touched base with scheme mentor Anne McCutcheon from McCutcheon Consulting.
Why did you choose to become a mentor in the SAYES program?
I’ve been involved as a mentor in the SAYES program for 9 or 10 years now. One of the great things about SAYES is that it is positioned to assist all sorts of start-up businesses. It doesn’t have to be technology or any particular industry. As a program, it has enormous benefits because of that.
What is your top tip for succeeding in business?
Persistence and perseverance is absolutely critical. Secondly, focus on purpose. Then, work out a plan to achieve your purpose with an appropriate business model. If you get that plan working, you will succeed.
What do you consider to be success as an entrepreneur?
Two things: start trading and sustain that trading over time. It doesn’t matter what becomes of that business in the end – whether you sell it or someone else takes it over – your success as an entrepreneur is that the business starts and becomes sustainable, even if you’re not engaged with it anymore.