Wendy Stunt, Entrepreneur and Director of Go DigiCard
Wendy Stunt is “Entrepreneur of the Year 2019”, and a Director of Go DigiCard. She is a Visionary Consultant and an Ambassador at the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. Go DigiCard is an innovative Irish Company bringing businesses together with digital business card solutions. Since its establishment, the company has sold to over 150 companies and has quickly entered the UK and German markets. As an Ambassador in the Dublin Chamber of Commerce Wendy works with many companies on their online digital strategies and social media marketing. She is passionate about helping companies connect in the digital world. Wendy has highly developed communication and conversation skills and experience with leadership, she has a wide network of contacts both in Ireland and across Europe. She has received many award nominations including “Irelands Most Inspiring Business Woman 2019” and most recently was announced winner in her category of “Entrepreneur of the Year 2019” in the Irish Women’s Awards.
What is your favourite social media platform?
LinkedIn is the most effective platform for my business to reach customers and also to learn and share knowledge.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I am a keen networker, communicator and connector. I set up Go DigiCard in 2017 alongside my husband to help business people connect more effectively by way of our innovative digital business card solution. We now have customers all over the world, and we have the ability to offer our cards in multiple languages. I won the "Entrepreneur of the Year" award in 2019, which was an honour, and I was delighted to meet so many other inspiring entrepreneurs on that journey.
I am a Visionary Consultant. I am energetic and forward-thinking, and I provide a sales and marketing service, principally to small to medium-sized businesses. I look at the company and develop a vision for where they want to be in a year, two years, five years etc. I always say, 'if you can not see it, you won't make it happen’.
I am a proud Ambassador and a long-standing member of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. My role as an Ambassador is to offer advice and support to new members. The Dublin Chamber has been one of the most enjoyable and valuable networks I have been a part of. It is essential to find the best network for you and your company.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
I am extremely passionate about helping and connecting people; I put our success down to being positive and working hard. It gives me great pleasure to hear stories of how our customers have connected with their potential customers through their DigiCards and, in turn, ended up doing business. That's what it’s all about!
What is the best advice you have ever received?
I always say, “do what makes you feel good”, and I certainly do. If it doesn't make you feel good, then stop doing it!
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
My children are my motivation. I want to show them you can achieve whatever you want in life if you work hard doing what you love. I always start my days hugging my kids and being completely present with them, which inspires me to have another great day.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
I am extremely proud of my awards, starting with 'Entrepreneur of the Year 2019'. I was thrilled to have won this award and acknowledged among so many other successful women. Women are sometimes expected to do it all and have it all. That is immense pressure. I can work 60/70-hour weeks sometimes, without my families support; I wouldn’t be able to do what I do. I hope to inspire other female entrepreneurs to chase their dreams and realise their greatest ambitions.
We also won 'Business of the Year 2020' which we were again overwhelmed to achieve alongside so many other worthy businesses.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
100% in person, this year has been very challenging for me as I am very much a people person and attend at least 2/3 networking events a week. I missed connection so much in March 2021; I set up the 'Virtual Business Owners Network' here in Dublin with my colleague Alec Drew. The Virtual Business Owners Network is a platform for business owners and decision-makers to meet in the right environment for their mutual benefit. It is about building a network of people who understand clearly what you offer and who can help you find new business opportunities.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
I am a great listener. When I attend events, I try to be interested, not interesting. The power of networking is in the knowledge you gain about people at an event, listening for their pain point, and connecting them with people who can solve them. Doing this has helped me build my reputation as a connector and respected businesswoman.
What do you wish you had known when you started?
It is probably an odd thing to say, but nothing. I have thoroughly enjoyed my journey, from my first business selling costume jewellery I sourced in India to selling digital nail art printers from China to finally our Go DigiCard solution and helping other businesses as a consultant today.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
There are probably too many to list here, but I admire the smaller Irish businesses and how they have coped in the pandemic and come up with temporary business solutions. I like people thinking in and outside the box.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
We as a family need to have a hobby that we all enjoy together. We are very fortunate to have a cruiser on the River Shannon, enjoying many weekends and summer breaks. We love the water, and for me, it really enables us to switch off as there is no internet connection on the lake! I also like to spend time with my friends and family, just relaxing and catching up over a coffee, and I am partial to a slice of cake!
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business?
The pandemic has had a positive effect on Go DigiCard. People realise handing out paper business cards when we get back to normal might not be as readily accepted as before. Having a digital option is the way forward. We have developed a QR code for people to scan from a persons phone so it is completely contactless to share your business card.
I have also collaborated with two other business people, Alan Hennessy of Kompass Media and Yvonne Reddin of ‘yvonnereddin.com’ to offer a Marketing in a Box solution to businesses, where they can select from several services listed on our website, and we then provide a tailor-made package specifically to fit their marketing requirements. I believe that we are stronger together, and this collaboration has been extremely positive during the pandemic.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
I have never had a mentor. I am mentoring a lady who is starting up her own content writing business, its an honour that she chose me to help her on her journey, and I am looking forward to watching her grow as she is doing so already. I would love to continue helping other business owners and share my knowledge.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
As I mentioned, network, network, network. Connecting is the backbone of business; otherwise, where would potential work come from? I love a new Remo platform; it opens you up to a wider business audience with its design and eases to network online. It is set out like you are going to a wedding visually and you select which table you want to sit at, then after 10 minutes you move to another table, speed networking, I think they call it! That would be my top tip, and also visit a good few groups to ensure you are networking in the right one that fits your business.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
I think people can give up because they think it happens overnight, in year one, or even in year two. It takes time and having a positive attitude. I have had several businesses in less than 20 years, and not one was a failure. I learnt from them all. A lot of people would be embarrassed to start another business after one didn't work out. Why? It is about surrounding yourself with positive people for confidence building and people who get your way of thinking.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go further, go together" - Old African Proverb.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
During Covid 19, some companies getting it right for me are CitiGroup enforcing a Zoom Free Friday to combat fatigue triggered by remote working. I absolutely love this idea, and they also encouraged limiting taking calls outside working hours. Another one is Google who made its video conferencing service available for all G-suite customers until July 1, 2020. This allows for up to 250 participants and live-steaming to up to 100,000 viewers per domain. I love that LinkedIn is using its powerful platform to share news more broadly, helping businesses use live video to replace onsite events and deal with business continuity.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience?
To me, success is a happy customer. One who leaves a testimonial without prompting them to. Delivering high-quality customer service on time or ahead of schedule. Success is trying your best to achieve your goals.