NOT long after starting her business at the tender age of 26, the penny dropped for Tricia Fox that she was always destined to be her own boss.

“When I worked for other people they often used to say to me ‘So, when are you taking over?’” smiles the founder and owner of Perth-based marketing and PR firm Volpa. “Quite quickly after going out on my own it struck me that I really enjoyed selling services, delivering to clients and growing the business. That’s when I realised I was always meant to run my own business and others had seen that in me. Looking back I was always someone that questioned the status quo. Starting a business ignited the desire to be the driver of my own car.”

Fifteen years after leaving a career in management consultancy and striking out on her own, she and her team of 10 now deliver communication solutions to businesses of all sizes in a variety of sectors, including tourism and hospitality.

Long-term clients include The Enchanted Forest, which Ms Fox has been working with since 2008, overseeing its expansion from a small local event to a globally-recognised attraction with 73,000 visitors from 37 countries.

“I think one of our main strengths as a business is the adaptability we offer," she says. "Only a few years ago platforms like Facebook and Twitter, which we now take these for granted as part of the marketing toolkit, didn’t even exist.

“And given that this is very much a disruptive industry, there will no doubt be many new developments to come. New communications vehicles have been key to our success.

“But being based in Perth rather than Glasgow or Edinburgh means we’ve always relied on local credentials. We’re trusted, and many of our clients have been with us for years, which is a solid base to grow the business.

“They want someone to really understand and be excited about their business, and that’s what my team really takes on board.”

The 41-year-old businesswoman says she’s worked hard over the years to invest in and develop herself as a people manager rather than simply a task manager, and admits she wouldn’t be tempted back to being an employee.

“Being in charge gives you a different motivation,” she explains. “Instead of relying on other people to motivate you, you learn to motivate yourself and work out what drives you. I couldn’t go back to working for someone else now. If everything went horribly wrong tomorrow, I’d just start up on my own again.”

There is unlikely to be any need for starting again anytime soon, however, as Volpa goes from strength to strength and looks for new and innovative ways to grow and expand.

“As new people came in to the company, our culture changed,” explains Ms Fox. “We recently sat down and thrashed out our values, which is helping us develop our business plan.

“We’re also working with a company called Shirlaws on how to open up new possibilities, such as better exploiting our intellectual property. We may also look at opening another office. It’s an exciting time for us. Over time the direction of any business shifts, and as the owner you have to step back and look at things from different angles.

“The main thing for me is that it’s still great fun – this industry is never dull.”

And the entrepreneur is particularly passionate about encouraging others to take the initiative and set up their own company.

“Don’t overthink it, just get on and do it,” she advises. “It’s honestly not that complicated. There is no ‘right moment’ where everything in your life aligns perfectly. Just start and figure it out as you go along – that’s what everybody else is doing.

“The key is to believe in yourself that you can overcome obstacles. Problem-solving is what running a business is all about, whether that’s HR, IT or whatever. You don’t need an MBA, what’s most important is that you have a curious mind and are prepared to roll up your sleeves.”

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