Female Founder Feature: Adria Green
Female Founder Name: Adria Green
Business Name: Grahn Creative
Website: www.grahncreative.com
Tell us about your business. What products or services do you offer?: Grahn Creative is a digital marketing business specialising in building websites that not only look great, they actually work! My approach goes beyond aesthetics; I consider the entire customer journey, ensuring everything I deliver aligns with an overarching marketing strategy and speaks directly to their audience.
Serving businesses of all shapes and sizes, I love working with women who are as passionate about business as I am. This is what gets me out of bed in the morning, hearing how people are turning their strengths into financial gain and building the lives they want.
What inspired you to start your business?: I started my business in 2016 when I moved back to NZ from Aus.
This is the place my heart wanted to be - but the employment options in my field were non-existent.
The thought of reverting back to the 9-5 WAS NOT setting my soul on fire And starting a family wasn’t going to be conducive to employment. So I built an option that worked for me. And what I’ve built has grown consistently, while also growing two small humans
How long have you been running your business?: Coming up 10 years, I spent 5 of those years working a part time capacity with two pregnancies and raising two girls - the juggle between being a mum and being a business owner came with its challenges.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a woman in business, and how did you overcome it?: Imposter syndrome! About 5 years ago I recognised it within myself, and started challenging those thoughts - the result... confidence that matches my skill set!
What has been your proudest moment as a business owner?: My daughters watching me head off to work each day, and seeing me making moves, challenging the status quo of society. Their Mum is a confident businesswoman who can run with the best of them. With tenacity, respect and curiosity.
What strategies have helped you grow your business?: The growth of my business in the last few years has been exponential. This is due to a few contributing factors but also due to a fundamental shift in my approach to value-based project structuring. Moving away from trading my time for money - and into packaging my services based on the value they provide to my clients.
What tools or resources have been game-changers for your business?: Oh where to start?! Implementing proposal software streamlined my process 10 fold - I'm shocked to admit how much time I spent on creating bespoke proposals.
Can you share one key lesson you’ve learned about managing finances as a business owner?: Keep an eye on those expenses, it's easy to see the shiny latest thing and sign up to an ongoing subscription. Layering complexity onto your tech stack and never taking anything away.
How do you balance the demands of your business with your personal life?: I have an incredibly supportive family, with a husband that has assumed the role of primary caregiver and reducing his work to a part time capacity to allow me the space to focus on business. Given we are both self employed it does allow us the privilege of carving out time where needed to be there for our kids.
What role does mentorship or networking play in your business journey?: Networking an important part of giving back to the community you work in, I give my time on the Board for the local Chamber of Commerce, as well as facilitating a women in business networking group - to provide support and resources to women who are in varying stages of their business journey.
What trends do you think will shape your industry in the coming years?: Definitely AI - it's been intriguing to watch who's jumped straight on the band wagon and those that are resisting it. It's become avoidable, and now we are moving into the stages of what industry best practice is and managing the expectations of our clients around the use of AI.
Who or what inspires you in your business journey?: Other female founders for sure! The way women lead with compassion is changing the business landscape and I'm here for it!
What books, podcasts, or resources have had the biggest impact on your professional growth?:
What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t know?: My first 'serious' job was working after school and weekends at an ice cream parlour, and I stayed working there for about 3 years. While I was there I invented a pancake sundae. That job taught me so much about reliability, marketing, product development, budgeting and stock management.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about your business?: How much I genuinely care about the success of my clients businesses!
Reflecting on your time in business, what is one piece of advice you would give to another woman to help her on her business journey?: Just start, it's not as scary as it seems.
How can people connect with you or learn more about your business? (e.g., website, social media, etc.):
www.grahncreative.com
@grahncreative on socials
