Movers and Shakers | Tinique Hay | Hay Events
We caught up with Tinique Hay, the founder of Hay Events, an award-winning event management agency focused on helping entrepreneurs and small businesses increase their brand awareness through the power of events. Based in London, Tinique launched her business two years ago.
What inspired you to start your own business?
Building an ever-lasting legacy in my family’s name was my greatest inspiration for starting up my own business. Followed by my passion for working within the Event Industry and using this to support entrepreneurs and small businesses to grow their business through the power of events.
What were the first few steps you took to get the business up and running?
Firstly, I invested in the book “Self-Made” by Bianca Miller-Cole and Byron Cole which helped me map out the steps I needed to take to launch my business e.g., who are my targeted audience, what is my USP (unique selling point).
I then invested in a business coach who specialised in Event Businesses, this was a game changer. My wonderful coach, during the hardest times for the event industry; the global pandemic, helped me to lay down a solid foundation for my business and to structure key business pillars.
How far ahead do you plan and what keeps you on track and motivated?
I plan per quarter via a project management tool called Asana and my vision board that sits over my computer screen and keeps me motivated and focused on my purpose, visions, and goals. Not to mention, my wonderful friends and family who continue to be my rock whenever I feel like giving up.
Are there any sacrifices you’ve had to make as an entrepreneur?
I would say my greatest sacrifice was leaving my 9-5 in January 2022 on my 30th birthday to go full-time in my business. Although, risky as well as extremely scary, it was a sacrifice I needed to take. I lead with faith and not fear as this is my purpose and I was not going to allow fear, anxiety or doubts to cloud my visions, goals, and mission.
What has been the most amazing day in your entrepreneurial life so far?
Winning a Business of the Year award and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2022. To be recognised for the work that I am doing to support entrepreneurs and small businesses meant the world. A day I will never forget! A day I will tell my future family!
What has been your scariest moment?
I would have to say leaving my 9-5 and stepping into the unknown of the world of a full-time entrepreneur. I have been so used to relying on the stability of a 9-5 as well as a steady income so I really didn’t know what I had signed up for!
How do you work on making your business grow?
I would say networking and building my personal and business brand via social media is key to supporting business growth. I love attending networking events and building my community via LinkedIn as well as showing my personality, client work, and my services through creative social content.
What is the best thing about being your own boss?
Flexibility, getting to work on your own terms, doing what you love every day in your own business, building a legacy for your future family, the joy of supporting your ideal clients and seeing their amazing results.
What are the challenges of working for yourself and how do you tackle them?
I would say my greatest challenge is not knowing when to stop working. I love what I do, so I can sit at my desk until late hours doing work. Currently, I am a one-man band and so for me to tackle this I need to firstly be more disciplined and set more boundaries regarding my working hours and secondly, very soon hire a part-time Event Assistant.
Who do you admire or look to for inspiration as a business owner?
I absolutely love Steven Bartlett and how raw/ straight to the point he is regarding the world of entrepreneurship and the valuable tips and advice he gives towards growing your business.
What piece of advice has had the most impact on your business? And who was it from?
Give yourself grace, take one step and a time and do not compare your journey to others as you do not know how they got to where they were. Stay in your lane and show up as you are, share your passion and love for what you do, and the rest will follow. (Advice from LinkedIn coach Selina Young)
What are the three books, websites or resources (professional or personal) that you would recommend to other business owners?
Self-Made by Bianca Miller-Cole and Byron Cole,
Business Networking, the survival guide by Will Kintish and
Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller
What other passions do you have away from your business? How do you relax?
I love going to the gym as this is my happy place and helps me to clear my thoughts and I love cooking. Fun fact, I originally wanted to become a chef and own my own Caribbean restaurant which was going to be called ‘Tinique’s Caribbean Flavours!
Tinique was a finalist in the 2022 PRECIOUS Awards
Follow Tinique and Hay Events
IG: @hayevents | LinkedIn: Hay Events
