4. Staff
There are a range of different staffing and people issues weighing on the minds of the Smart50.
For Helen Logas, founder of travel show business Luxperience, it’s thinking about how to ensure her staff are motivated, while the founders of solar energy provider Suntrix say it’s working out the type of training their staff need that causes them anxiety.
Glen Carlson, founder of training program Key Person of Influence, says he sleeps like a log but, “my greatest worry is always finding ways to keep my staff happy with a good work-life balance”.
“I know what it’s like to deal with intense stress, and I don’t want or expect them to suffer that,” says Carlson.
5. Money
Of course many of our finalists say they have money on their mind at night, although many said cash flow issues had lessened as their business has grown.
Paul Morffew, founder of human resource company Management Resource Solutions, summed it up best: “Money issues are part of the occupational hazard as an entrepreneur and would be one thing that keeps me up at night.”
6. Adrenalin
Founder of real estate company Cohen Handler, Ben Handler, wasn’t afraid to admit he was kept awake by, “fear and fear of fear”.
“The uncertainty of challenges keeps the adrenalin running 24/7,” says Handler.
Aaron Smith, the man behind Pilates company KX Group, says he’s kept awake by enthusiasm and anticipation.
“[It is ] the excitement that tomorrow will bring a new day with new challenges and the satisfaction knowing that tomorrow I will be one step closer to my dream and goals than I was yesterday,” says Smith.
“The apprehension and cash flow worries are no longer there but a steady and growing excitement instead. It’s just a great feeling knowing you are building something special.”
Fonebox Group founder Jordan Grives says the excitement and vision he has for the business is on his mind when he goes to bed.
“How we continue the growth and what we do with our success is what keeps me up at night, it is a bit of a rush,” says Grives.
“It is definitely a positive reason to stay up late.“
7. Humble dreams of global domination
Always entrepreneurial, our Smart50’s burdens were perhaps best summed up by Showpo founder Jane Lu. When asked what kept her up at night, she simply said: “Dreams of global domination!”
This story originally appeared on SmartCompany..
Kirsten Robb is a former journalist at SmartCompany. Previously, she worked at News Corp as a property reporter for Leader Newspapers and the Herald Sun, and holds a Masters of Journalism at Melbourne University.
