Episode 7 Transcript
heather:
Well, hello guys. welcome. Oh my gosh. I have reader from Liquor phone. I can't even believe it. Okay before I even get started with the interview. You guys have got to go to the liquor phone Instagram account. You will die and literally is mouth watering mouth candy. what she does for her clients to what we'll get into that little bit later is wow, Hello Rita. How are you going?
rita:
I'm good, thank you. How are you?
heather:
I'm good. I'm good, and I think you're such a perfect person to have on the show right now, because I've seen your business continue to grow, and when any business is in a growth phase, this is when that sort of hustle mentality slash help. I'm losing my my work life balance thing really kicks in, so I know you're going to have some really interesting tips for the listeners, so I just want to start straight in with asking you. What are three ways that you've been doing in your business lately to sort of grow without that hustle stressed out mindset
rita:
Really Good question? And so, if this is currently right now, I really want to mention this because I think it's really important, so let's take a step back before I give three tips. It really depends on which stage you're in the business, so there's different stages, so right now I'm in the growth stage, but previous to that I was in the seed like the new born stage, so right now I would say M a toddler, but then New born stage is very different to the toddler stage and then the adolescent. You know, the teen age and then adolescent. I'm still yet to reach that. so right now the three tips would be is it's all about your team. My dad drum this beat and he said your team make you your team break you. So for me it's really hiring about the right team. And what I mean by that, S. it's I get them when Hiring. It's really important that you're doing tests. so because anyone can talk to talk, but I need to see them walk the walk. I have interviewed over two hundred people just to get one role and they have to go through different tests that are relevant to the role, So that's really important. I don't hire just on skill sets, hire based on their personality, because I can teach them their skill sets. So the things to look out for attention to detail. That's really imp. And so the tests have that, but also love and passion. that's really important. So hire a really great team because you can't do it alone. The next one would be delegate. Because you can't do this alone again back to the team. But you really need to really stop and think when you're about to do something. Think about. Should I really be doing this? So that's a question like, even when I'm about to send an email like I don't need to be doing this, I have Assistant that can do this. so
heather:
Yeah,
rita:
and training the team, So not just two weeks in and then see later. I've spent lots of time training the team to then be able to delegate, to then question myself. Can I like and no delegate, delegate, delegate delegate. The third thing that's really important is systems processes automations. You must Stop doing things that are now in the downs world, Like you just need to stop doing things that are old school. You need to be doing things that a new school, which is software systems automation, and it depends on the industry that you're in, so whatever you can do to automate do that because that will give you back five hours, eight hours in a day, which you can do whatever it is that you want.
heather:
I love the answer. Do you believe in the same slow to hire faster fire? Have you heard that?
rita:
I have heard that when I was, and I was kind of shocked when I first heard it, but only when I was actually in that shoe. did I then really understand truly what that was about. I'll give you an example. I think that's a very harsh way of putting at it like putting it.
heather:
M?
rita:
I think that's really hard and like No, you be kind in this world. So you hire you hire fast, or however quick you can really Aage, Because honestly, even when it comes to hiring, it depends on the person.
heather:
Yeah,
rita:
Are they good? Like how quickly can you hire Ce? Maybe I would sort of reverse that like, Be more, not slow, but more fussy when you're hiring, not fast when you're
heather:
That's
rita:
hiring.
heather:
what it is. Ye slow to slow to hire fast to fire. Yeah,
rita:
Yeah,
heather:
that's it.
rita:
Yeah,
heather:
Totally.
rita:
so that's what I would suggest. But if they're
heather:
Yeah.
rita:
really just not getting it, I think you would know if they're the right fit. Really in a week. two at most,
heather:
Yeah,
rita:
if they're not the right fit, let's go quicker because that's saving you back another two months.
heather:
I like that and I like that. You said you're really picky as well. I have another guest that's coming on soon who has a company with three hundred employees and she only hires one point five percent
rita:
No,
heather:
of applicants. incredibly picky because it has to be that that testing phase, the value assignment. All the things you're talking about that are so important. And secondly, I love that you talked about your sops as like procedures. so many of us, I think in business it's like the hardest thing to get the stuff out of or Heads right.
rita:
Yep,
heather:
Do you? do you have any tips on that specifically? How have you gotten all that talent out of your head to your team?
rita:
Awesome. So the first thing that we well, are you talking about hiring or the actual training?
heather:
The systems that
rita:
Okay,
heather:
systems in the training piece here?
rita:
it's have I had to help. So I
heather:
Yeah,
rita:
hired help to to first and foremost understand hierarchy, Because how do I delegate roles without me knowing what's my actual role? I'm in every department and I shouldn't. So it's I had help. I hired a mental someone that specifically does this. Don't
heather:
Yeah,
rita:
do yourself because It's just going to take you longer if you don't know what you're doing. Hire the right people. So I hired someone specifically for this. Um, So there's systems and processes that are coming into place. It's just there's so many parts to this I can go on for days. It depends on the industry first and foremost. To keep it simple, I understand what the roles are. Higher Help as well, if you don't know or just write down what departments there are
heather:
Yep,
rita:
And what that. What's the most important role that you need to hire for?
heather:
Yeah,
rita:
Does
heather:
yeah, and I
rita:
that?
heather:
like you said too. Sometimes you don't even know, So you hired help to help you even work that part out too.
rita:
Yeah, you need to. You can't do it. It's so important to hire help that there's the specialists
heather:
Yeah,
rita:
in that field that do this stuff. You don't need to do it yourself. Don't
heather:
So good,
rita:
recommend. Don't
heather:
so good, and I think that whole hostile grind sort of stress thing happens when we try and do everything ourselves and we forget that there's help out there for us. right.
rita:
Correct. You really need help Like which, I want to go back one step if that's okay in
heather:
Of
rita:
the
heather:
course, Yeah,
rita:
tart up stage Because the advice that I would give in the start up stage Three tips in the sun, Its start up stage is basically, you need to be around a like minded community. You need to be around business owners. That's really really important. Educate yourself so you really need to be understanding. What is that you're doing? Like What is? what is it that you do? Because I did it. We know what I was doing. I had to sort of figure it out so spend time learning and keep ship simple. So three things in a day. There's so many things happening in the beginning. You're going to be overwhelmed. That's okay. That happens to all of us. Write three important things down and then just cross it off. I used pen and paper. Until today I just cross it off and I feel productive on to the next.
heather:
Really smart. So now I want to change gears and let's talk a little bit about a case study or somebody that you're helping in your business. This is where we can really learn about what Rita and her amazing team she's growing are doing for businesses. So think of somebody that you know you've worked with recently. That has, you've made a really big impact and walk us through who they are. What you've done for them kind of before. In the after of them.
rita:
Um, I love what we do because we literally take a business. In our case, it's hospitality and it's basically that the doors open and then we grow it with and then fulfill. basically customers. That doesn't make sense. So sorry, so I'll do that again. stop. stop. I love what we do and it's basically helping other businesses grow, so I'm helping other business owners achieve their dreams, So the best, all Current, or the one that comes to my mind, is a restaurant in Dunlinghurst called Fortune Drinking Eat, and they had recently opened. They were recommended to us and they were doing just Branch and they were doing okay. They came to us and basically we used the power of social media to blow up their business like
heather:
Yeah,
rita:
these guys were dead during dinner and they send us a video and it's packed packed. So yeah, so without going into all the crazy crazy details, we use social media, which is free. It's a free tool to attract customers And then we basically get restaurants packed out with customers by using the power of social media. The right way. Does that make
heather:
It
rita:
sense?
heather:
makes sense, and of course, now you know I'm going to ask you what's the right way, so
rita:
Okay?
heather:
give me a few things that you've done specifically. That's cool for them.
rita:
Okay, so I have to relate specifically for my industry, which is in the hospitality industry.
heather:
Course,
rita:
What works best for marketing in the hospitality industry is a social media Because I need to show. people need to show them content through videos photos. it's still good to have a mix of both you do. It's not just video. it's not just video. It's both. Not everyone wants to watch a video. So okay, so you really need to do. Content is important, so Organic basically through Instagramfacebook Tik tok, The second most powerful thing would be influence marketing. Influence of marketing is hands down, the best way to grow business. It is word of mouth referrals on steroids. All it takes is literally one person and it doesn't matter about followers. like, Do not worry about someone's followers. You can have I say, day and day day and day out where You have a follower of that. sorry, an influence that only has a thousand followers, but their video are heating a hundred thousand views, so stop looking at the followers. start looking at the content and that person's reach. so influence marketing is hands down the best way to grow a business, especially in the hospitality industry. You need to have awesome content, so hire, invest in a professional photographer and invest in a con Tent creator that knows how to create real. See how I don't use the word videographer, Because videographer
heather:
I did.
rita:
is someone who just specifically does websites and social media is not the content that works on websites. Get your eye phone out and literally record and make it interesting. so a content creator invests in that use. You know a free tool such as Instagramfacebook tick tock to then organically spread Word. So that would be the. That's actually two tips. and then you can throw events. events. Events Are honestly, it, yea, it can blow up a business in a weekend as well. So we've been doing that and it's been working extremely well.
heather:
So things I'm hearing from you is leverage right. so first of all, it's looking at your team, and in this case again you're talking about the right team member, content creator. Versus, like a videoographer, Wright says, knowing the right
rita:
Yes,
heather:
person to put in the right spot, leverage through other people's networks, like the influence, marketing and events, you know, creating environments where a lot can happen in a short amount of time. So very smart. Any other little tips on the types of things that you might put in a video to make them in Resting
rita:
The best advice that I would give is just make sure that in the first three seconds it's exciting enough to get them to watch another three seconds. And the question you should be asking yourself is would you even watch that video if you would scro past? Then, what makes you think that someone else isn't? So? Just ask yourself. Would you even watch this?
heather:
Another question, Because you're so great at social right now, all the hype and all the crazes video video video And I liked what you said. It's not always about the video because some people don't watch video. So
rita:
Hm?
heather:
what's the other type of content tips that you would have around? Maybe images or captions
rita:
Um, You need to have a healthy mix right. So
heather:
Hm.
rita:
for example, if I am going to a restaurant, the first thing I do or most people do either hop on to Instarant to look at their menu. I'm not going to watch a video to look at them, and I want to see what food it is and then the description. I want to know what food that item is, Because I want to order it, So let people know be quirky, but also let people know what it is. Don't second guess like just, and the best advice for Options would be if you're going to use a c. T. call to action One, not ten, not to just one clear message. Hey, link in Bi, or it could be called to book and then put the number one call to action. Only.
heather:
Bsolutely. And this goes across any industry for you guys that are watching or listening. It doesn't matter if you're in hospitality or not. I like that sort of different ways of talking about what you do like the menu. Just a photo of a menu. Any business can kind of replicate that opinion what you're in, and I'm always a big advocate of one C. T. A as well, I always say a confused mind never takes action. If you give people too many things to do, they're not going to
rita:
Yeah,
heather:
do anything at all.
rita:
exactly like I was furniture shopping and I'm looking at Instagram to look at furniture. so, but I'm like, what is the name of this couch? I want to buy it and it wasn't available. So even if you're doing influence marketing or if you're on your own socials, please tell people where it is or what it is, Because how am I going to know? I was literally scrolling through Going. I really want this Ten minutes to find it. I was really determined. I finally found it and then found out it was sold out, which you know, I wish you told me in the first place, but yeah,
heather:
You wasted your time a lot.
rita:
yeah, I'm like.
heather:
Oh my God,
rita:
so yes,
heather:
influence our marketing. How do people get started to try and get into influence or marketing?
rita:
Okay, um, the question you need to ask for that. Is it relevant to my industry? So if you're a financial
heather:
Hm,
rita:
advisor, dude, I'm not going to go really on Instagram and listen to you know a financial advisor. However, on Instagram, However, I did listen to a financial advice just yesterday on Tik Tok, So
heather:
M.
rita:
so the question here is with influence, marketing is Relevant to your business. Is another influence going to talk about your business? And do they Aline? Um, That would be really important. That's the first thing. Just think about your industry. The second thing here is make sure that you just have clear guidelines. You can email them. You can deem them personally. My preference is email, but not
heather:
Yep,
rita:
everyone checks their emails on every influence, not every. Some. Some don't even have their email in their buyer and the contact option, So you'll need to damn them. keep a short sharp. sweet, Hey, would love for you to experience a v. I P. Like treat them like V. P. and just you know, let them know like he would love in exchange for Zed. Hey would love for you to would love to gift you blah. in exchange for Ed for younger influences, younger, following someone that has a larger following. I would just not give them a budget for restaurants. We don't give them a budget with. We cap it like, Hey, come with two guests, because I have spent years building and a loyal following And don't tell me that I'm only worth a hundred bucks at a meal like I'm going to be doing you a favor, so just invite. if I love it. I will of course recommend it. so bigger
heather:
M
rita:
influences gift without Restrictions, And say you know, would like just you have a better chance of them coming in on contra without payment. I'm talking about influences on contract when you're just basically inviting them without any sort of demands in return. If that makes sense,
heather:
Makes a lot of sense. It's that sort of studying the intention of the relationship from the start where you want it to be. Maybe a good relationship, hopefully long term, and then you're not literally going in with the I want this from you straight away, attitude.
rita:
Yes, and that's why it's important to start working with influences that are also younger, because they are going to
heather:
Yeah,
rita:
grow into potentially macro. But you would have built that relationship with them
heather:
Yeah,
rita:
in the beginning, so I said over and over again, So that's really important to start with the younger ones.
heather:
Thank you for those tips. Love them. Okay. now, I want to move into talking about overwhelm a little bit And you did actually say something which I liked earlier where you were saying. You know, whenever I feel overwhelmed, I just write down like three things I need to do on paper and ticked them off as I go. But let's go a little bit more into that overhelne, because you're in the growth phase right now. you're hiring team. You're doing amazing things for your clients and growing their businesses as well, so I'm sure you experienced the overwhelm that they're feeling too. From their end. What
rita:
Hm.
heather:
are some tips? Ideas around people that are experiencing overwhelm. What can they do to sort of come back into grounding and doing what they need to focus on?
rita:
I think that you need to get help and it's okay to overwhelm means like it's just too much for you. And even what I did was, I got a mental, so I
heather:
Yep,
rita:
lean in into people that I trust when I don't know. I need advice. like every leader also likes to be led. I like to be led by another person That knows what the hell they're talking about. So it's really important to speak. Get help Vice from someone that you trust or that has been in those shoes that can give you solid advice. So when I was growing the agency I spoke with and got advice from someone who's done it has grown an agency himself and I said, Can you just please give me advice like mentor me, and he's like, Yeah, sure I will, And that's that's it. It was as simple as that. It's just someone within our friendship like it was my brother's friend, Jamie
heather:
Yeah,
rita:
from Divine Digital. Actually, So
heather:
Yeah,
rita:
and so it was not. Oh, I went looking on Google, which is someone that I thought that I trust that I would get advice. so I got advice from him, but then I was like, Oh man, I really need help with systems and processes because I was feeling overwhelmed with this big task like there's so many tasks to do, and I lost track without. as your team goes, You need to know what the hell they're doing. They need to know what they're doing, but they need systems and processes. Otherwise they're lost. And how do you Track? So then I was like I need help. I'm overwhelmed. I don't know exactly really what I'm doing. I need help. So the advices here is get help from people who are experts in that field or that you need specifically with that help with. If that that, whatever your problem is, find someone that has done that and ask them. Not someone that has no experience in that overwhelmed
heather:
Yeah,
rita:
thing that you're feeling.
heather:
I love that and I'm in a master mind of other agencies because my, the agency I do is Omwebsite development and co, or campaign, You know, Conversion ray, optimizational, websites and funnels, And so I was the same thing as you. You know, is like you can only learn so much and you feel kind of alone and you're growing this company And so I'm in a master mind of other owners that do what I do for the same exact reason, Because you, you cannot do it alone. And the second I get off a call with those guys And we do call once a month, I feel so at peace and grounded and like, Oh, my gosh, I'm not the only one going
rita:
Yeah,
heather:
through these problems or something magical about having mentors and people in your circle.
rita:
You have clarity. You're
heather:
Yeah,
rita:
overwhelmed. It's because you're like I don't know it's the unknown or you don't know what direction and then you get clarity and that is that okay, Okay, I'm not stressed out anymore, you know, so
heather:
I love it, guys. go get yourself some mentors and some help and expand that circle. You know. Actually, this made me think about a question I bet some people might have, and that is like, Yes, you knew somebody in your. You know, your brother's friend or whatever, And for me, I just I reached out to people overseas.
rita:
All the internet cut out so yes,
heather:
No problem.
rita:
yes, yes,
heather:
Okay,
rita:
yes,
heather:
I'm going to take a step back and stop there. Here we go. So this brought me to another question that I wanted to bring up with people that might be going Well. Where do I find a mentor Like? There's sort of. I know people I've spoken to that are like. I want to learn from other people that do similar things to me. But what if they're a competitor? Like how? how do I start? Where do I go? Do you have any advice around that?
rita:
Um, amazing question, and it goes to mind set is I don't view people as competitors. I
heather:
Yeah,
rita:
would see them and view them as like a potential mental. So I would just email call like I am. I said I really love what you're doing and I just wanted to know if you would you know. Mental, Me,
heather:
Brilliant,
rita:
and what's the worst thig? they're gonna do. say no,
heather:
Yeah,
rita:
like Usually business owners love to help other business owners. You might be surprised if they actually come back saying yeah, I'd love to help you. so
heather:
Really.
rita:
ask,
heather:
really good
rita:
ask, and you shall receive.
heather:
As an. You'll receive a love. It. Okay so now I want to talk a little bit about you And what makes you unique as an entreprener and business owner? Yes, let's say it's your time to do a little brag session.
rita:
Um,
heather:
But but honestly, what makes you what you do with? Lick your phone different from from other people? They're doing social media campaigns for businesses.
rita:
The first thing that comes to mind. S. it's my personality. I'm very. I'm different. I'm different, very different and but I bring my personality into the brand. So um, I guess it starts from me that I like things to be fun. I don't like things to be boring. I used to work incorporate. I was in finance, and like, Oh my God, I am really bored out of my mind. Um, and I used to just make it. And and so I just wanted that to continue to have fun with what I'm doing and I still do that. So again with the team, it starts with the team, the people around us that actually make things happen like this morning. Actually, every Friday I have this jam. It's Friday day. it's
heather:
Uh,
rita:
Saturday Sunday
heather:
uh,
rita:
like I make them get up and we start dancing and
heather:
My smoke. M just went off Pause.
rita:
Dot.
heather:
Okay, because I need you to sing that again. Right. Hold on one second. I'll be right back and keep the thing
rita:
Okay,
heather:
rolling
rita:
kay,
heather:
to
rita:
all
heather:
work
rita:
right,
heather:
it
rita:
No
heather:
out.
rita:
worries.
heather:
Oh,
rita:
No, that's all right. No worries.
heather:
There's no smoke in this whole building, so I'm not sure what's going on. Wow, Okay,
rita:
Do that. What was the question again? So what?
heather:
Okay,
rita:
yeah?
heather:
so the question is what makes you unique And you started talking about the importance of fun and the team and I want you to sing that song again to
rita:
Yeah,
heather:
Okay, so I'll ask the question again.
rita:
yeah,
heather:
All right, So now I want to know what makes you unique. This is like that moment. Fred, to your horn a little bit. But why
rita:
Yeah,
heather:
why would people want to work with Red Like your phone
rita:
So the first thing that comes to mind is personality and it's my personality, So the brand is a part of me. I always say you know, I gave birth to lick your phone, So it's basically having fun. That's the most important thing. and you know today is Friday and I, you know, have the team starting off by. We do this ritual the Friday ritual. I make them dance. This song is Friday. It's Saturday. On what? So I just want everyone to have fun. Love what they're doing Because then you're never really working a day in your life. I really like today. It's going to be half day. because you know what they deserve it. You know, birthdays have a day off. Like I want to give back. I want to make them feel valued. Actually, one of my team members. she's like. You know, what makes it different here is, I'm valued and that's one thing that I never felt like. when I was working for someone else. I was like I care about what I do, and you don't give a shit about me. I hated that feeling, so I want them to know that I love them with my heart, and I will, Instead of telling them I'd rather show them so it starts with the team and then that everybody else sees it. like the clients see it. The branding. It's It's funny. It's different so you know when I'm letting potential clients know like Hey, meet you Team. it's M a t, because it's related to food, so it's meet your team and keep it simple. Keep things very simple, but also fun and they trust us, so we build trust early on like I trust them. And you know what, we really don't advertise much. A lot of our clients from referrals. So refers everything. So I think that's what makes this difference is that we're fun and we. really. This is what makes a different. So I just got a moment.
heather:
Go
rita:
I meant Until my team every freaking day, Monday or Friday. I'm always mentoring them. Eight a M is mentoring session, and that's what makes it different because I love learning about social media and I love teaching about social media and my team froth off learning and I'm always teaching and I encourage them to teach us new things as well. That's what makes us different Every day. I never let their skill become stale. always fresh.
heather:
That? I'm so glad that moment came to you because I know there's a lot of people that probably just needed to hear that and get that nice little reminder. So
rita:
Yes,
heather:
there's some core themes that are coming through from our conversation. team, Team team is massive, massive. Don't do alone. That's another
rita:
No,
heather:
one that I'm hearing from you as well, and overwhelm can oftentimes stem from the fact that you are trying to do a lone or be. you're not relying on your team.
rita:
Yeah, or that, you just don't know when you need clarity or guidance.
heather:
Yeah,
rita:
So
heather:
yeah,
rita:
it's really important to get guidance. Every
heather:
get
rita:
leader
heather:
guidance
rita:
also likes to be led, so it's okay to ask questions and get help.
heather:
Really well said. So if somebody is listening to this session, they are in hospitality. They are in this Sydney area. What do they do? How did they get in touch with you and how do they learn more
rita:
Call me. So Best way to reach out his head to our website. Like your phone, dot com pop up will come up, or just the contact put in your details and I'll have the team get in touch with you as a p.
heather:
Perfect, and as you guys can tell, just from this conversation with Rita, she is literally the most kind, lovely and fun bubble of energy ever. So
rita:
That's
heather:
She's
rita:
me.
heather:
there. She goes. I know, and if you, I wish you guys
rita:
Eh,
heather:
have to watch this on video to just see some of the little extra things that are going on
rita:
Oh
heather:
in video. if you're watching an audio,
rita:
yes,
heather:
so pop on over and watch the video version. Thanks readers so much for being here. I've really enjoyed our conversation and thanks for sharing those beautiful tips with people that might be feeling a little overwhelmed, Flat with the growth in their business.
rita:
Thank you for having me. thank you.
