Released Team Member Profile: Kellie, our Fearless Leader
The business savvy and caffeine-fuelled charm behind Released
Just like any business, Released runs on great people. We love to post tips and tricks for busy business owners, but we know that our biggest strength is our team. For that reason, we’re going to start showcasing some of the wonderful humans that work for us.
Our top business advice? Hire people like ours!
We’re starting with Kellie, founder and get-it-done leader of Released. Here’s a bit about what her days look like, what value she brings to the team and our clients, and some advice for other business owners.
What might a typical day look like for you?
“I typically drop my kids at school in the morning and then drive the length of Scenic Drive to the office. This is my thinking time, destressing time, get-my-head-in-the-game time. I listen to music and audiobooks, plus occasionally talk to a team member on the phone as I drive.
Once I'm in the office, I check my inbox, my calendar, my Voxer messages, and my Asana WIP list. Some days I have booked sales calls which I prioritise prepping for and attending. Then, I make sure my notes and the next steps are ready for the team.
Mondays are my admin day. I like to do my bookkeeping, clear as much of the WIP (work in progress) list as I can, and make sure the team is set up for the week. I also have a weekly WIP meeting with my operations manager to delegate and get the ball rolling on new projects. I check in with my POD leaders and make sure everyone has what they need for the week.
Tuesday to Thursday are sales calls, training sessions with clients and team members, and delegating new work out to team members while ensuring they know the deadlines and expectations. Friday is the dream day: planning, big picture, where are we going, etc. It's my day to work on my business, not in it. Two days a week I work until 6.30 pm to clear the decks; the other three I typically leave at 2.45 pm, collect the kids, and take them to swimming, dancing, and other activities.”
We love to see some structure in a week! What’s your strength or specialty when it comes to Released’s operations? How does your work help Released clients to make their business better?
“I'm an efficiency expert! I like listening to clients tell me about their businesses, their struggles, and pain points. Then I love looking for ways to make it run smoother, to be more efficient and make their life easier. I love technology and using it to make businesses work smarter not harder. I get great satisfaction in implementing a good app stack and watching it save people time and energy.
My biggest job is to listen. From the moment a client expresses an interest in working with us, my job is to listen, build trust, and share how my experience with software and systems, processes and structure can help.
Our clients have to feel at ease with me, so it is really important that I lay the foundations for the beginning of a great relationship before I hand it over to my team. They need to feel heard even if I have heard it all before. If our clients feel like they can trust me, they know they can trust the team. Businesses are often an owner’s pride and joy and they need to know that we will treat their systems and customers with the same respect as they do. This all comes from building a great relationship.”
On a lighter note, what are a few items you couldn’t do without for a typical workday?
“Coffee, strong and dairy free.
My phone, it's an extension of my hand.
My Remarkable which lets me keep all my WIP lists and notes in one place.
And of course my team—without them, it's all over.”
You’ve been there and done that, so what’s your top tip for a tradesperson starting their own business?
“Start as you mean to continue.
Form a company, get a great accountant (see below) register for GST, get Xero, get a system for job management (even if it's a spreadsheet), get a dedicated work phone number and work email address (no hotmail accounts 😜), claim your Google Business Profile.
Websites, social media, fancy vehicles and expensive signwriting is great but get the basics right first. Get good advice and get it all set up properly from the beginning.”
SMYD Accounting - we highly recommend!
And finally, what’s your favourite part of working with Released?
“The privilege to call my team my friends, and the opportunity to see trade businesses flourish and grow while we work with them.”
Keep an eye on the blog for more team member profiles, and feel free to book a quick chat with Kellie if you’d like to find out more about how she—and the team—can help your business.