Riley Batchelor's Career Confessions
2threads is as a social network with style. It is a place where anyone with a penchant for fashion can come to look, love and buy fashion all in one, easy to reach place. No matter who you are or where you are from 2threads is a place where you can engage in all your guilty fashion-fixated vices.
Riley's sucess with 2threads.com comes with the Australian social scene embracing what the site had to offer. This success has given Riley the opportunity to stretch beyond our shores and set up base in NYC. Yet, this has not stopped the entrepreneur from going 2steps further in establishing 2new businesses; 2influence media and Estile.com - with partner Abbey Turnbull.
The Career Confessions questionnaire which Riley has participated in has some very valuable advice for you all. For someone so young, Riley definately gives you first-hand advice you can apply to your own endeavours.
- Monica Kade
Describe yourself in 3 words
Hard working, Dedicated and Motivated
When did you start pursuing your career and how long did it take to become successful?
Whilst in late years of high school I began working in the family business. Not sure if I am successful or not, depends how you measure it. I feel comfortable with my direction and happy with what I have achieved so far with my business career. This probably happened in the last year or 2.
How many hours did you dedicate to pursuing your dream?
Too many to count. My average working week is about 85 hours.
Describe how difficult the business really is?
It’s a lot easier than it used to be. The first 2 start up years are the hardest- bootstrapping on, no money and little revenue. We now have a dedicated and hard working team that make it a lot easier.
What is the mistake that taught you an extremely valuable lesson?
Not knowing how important cash flow is in business.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given to date?
Each thing leads to the next. Start small and work your way up.
In your mind, is formal training essential?
It surely helps if your training is specific. But I wouldn’t say it’s necessary. Most people learn on the job, especially with your own business.
Make contacts in your field, learn from people who know the ropes and talk to people. It’s surprising what people will tell you if you ask.
What kept you going when you felt like giving up?
My extremely supportive girlfriend, network of mentors and focusing on the light at the end of the tunnel- that end dream.
That helps but nothing is more important than hard work and dedication. It’s cheesy, but anyone can “make it” in whatever field they want if they try hard enough and surround themselves with experienced people.
