Pivoting a Business During a Pandemic: An Event Company's Journey

26/01/2025 43 min

Listen "Pivoting a Business During a Pandemic: An Event Company's Journey"

Episode Synopsis



Unexpectedly, Heather Hannaby shares the emotional journey of building her business around her daughter's needs. From struggling with her daughter's health to pivoting her business during the pandemic, Heather's story is a testament to resilience and prioritizing what truly matters. But what's the surprising twist that has defined her definition of success and happiness? Stay tuned to find out.
In this episode, you will be able to:

Strengthening Family Bonds: Discover how to navigate the dynamics of starting a small business with family members and build a stronger connection through entrepreneurship.

Embracing Entrepreneurial Freedom: Explore the journey of transitioning from the corporate world to entrepreneurship and unleash the potential for personal and professional growth.

Balancing Act: Learn effective strategies for managing the demands of family life while thriving in your small business, achieving a harmonious work-life balance.

Adapting and Thriving: Uncover innovative ways to navigate and innovate your small business during the pandemic, ensuring resilience and continued growth.

Mastering Business Insight: Realize the importance of understanding your business numbers and how it can drive informed decisions, leading to enhanced business resilience and balanced personal fulfillment.


My special guest is Heather Hannaby
Heather Hannaby, the Director of Ellie Vision av, brings extensive experience in small business management to the podcast. With a career background in trade show and event management, Heather's transition to entrepreneurship in 2018 marked a significant shift in her professional journey. Her proactive response to the challenges posed by the pandemic, exemplified by the strategic pivot towards outdoor cinemas, underscores her adaptability and innovative business approach. Heather's insights on the significance of understanding business numbers, alongside her firsthand experience of integrating family responsibilities with entrepreneurial endeavors, offer practical wisdom for small business owners navigating similar paths. Her expertise and resilience in the face of adversity make her a valuable resource for those seeking to enhance business resilience while maintaining personal fulfillment in the dynamic landscape of small business ownership.
The key moments in this episode are:00:00:00 - Meet Heather Hannaby 00:05:24 - Starting a Business 00:10:23 - Navigating Through Covid 00:13:28 - Adapting the Business Model 00:15:21 - Leveraging Existing Capabilities 00:16:08 - Adversity leading to growth 00:17:51 - Utilizing outdoor cinema for fundraising 00:18:31 - Navigating through tough times 00:21:37 - Building trust and success in business 00:27:08 - Redefining success and work-life balance 00:32:41 - Business Expansion 00:34:06 - Separate Business Roles 00:37:35 - Trusting Judgment 00:39:06 - Future Business Plans 00:40:43 - Personal Reflections

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