WShe’s built her own $10 million business empire, so it’s clear Jennifer Hawkins knows a thing or two about business. Now, the businesswomen is helping entrepreneurs kickstart their own dreams with the launch of her new kickstarter competition run via her self-tanning line J Bronze. Hawkins is calling on entrants to submit a video explaining their business idea and how having a #coatofconfidence will help them achieve it. The winning entry will receive $5,000 to kickstart their dream and an exclusive 1 on 1 mentoring session with Hawkins.

We caught up with Hawkins to find out more about how the concept came about and how her own experience in business has help her get to where she is today.

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Congratulations on the launch of your kickstarter campaign! What inspired the concept?

Thanks! I’m really excited about the competition. I really wanted to help out people in some way by using my my background and experience in starting businesses. I get a real thrill from starting new projects. A question I get a lot is how do you start your own business so I wanted to start this kickstarter campaign to help someone achieve their dream. I’m excited to see how many people enter and how successful it is. It’s definitely a concept I’d love to continue.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced starting your own business?

You have to be patient. A lot of work goes into each project. With J Bronze for example, it took 18 months to develop but the ideas started way before that.

You also have to be aware that businesses evolve. Things happen. You might start a business, and it’s great seeing it grow, but if you see you are breaking even or if you feel like the business model has changed and it’s not where you want it to be, there’s nothing wrong with cutting ties and moving on to something different.

How do you keep yourself and your team motivated?

I’m passionate about the brand. I’m on my emails every day and am very hands on with my businesses. For example, with J Bronze, the team and myself have regular brainstorming sessions. I really enjoy that whole process. It’s really different to what I do with other aspects of my life.

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Have you always wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I started right off the back of Miss Universe with my swimwear line Cozi and we are now in our 8th season. Being an entrepreneur is something that is innate in you. You either have that flair for starting your own business or you don’t.

Have you faced any challenges being a woman in business?

You have to be assertive and strong. You can respectful but still get your point across but not be arrogant. People in my team respect me, which is something I really value, and that’s because I respect them too. We all work really hard for the brand and all want to move it forward, while having fun at the same time too.

How do you balance your different projects?

Having great people around you is the key. It’s essential to have people you trust to help you. It also helps if you are passionate about what you do and you are excited to do what you do every day.

What’s the best business advice you’ve received?

Definitely to hire people who are experts in their field. Also it’s important to treat everybody with respect and being a nice a person. It sounds simple but when things get heated and stressful at times, but it’s key to respect everyone you work with.

Click here to enter the J Bronze kickstarter campaign and launch your own dream!

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT J BRONZE AND JEN HAWKINS’ TOP TIPS FOR TANNING READ OUR INTERVIEW HERE

About The Author

Lisa Teh

Lisa Teh is the Editor-in-chief of Couturing.com, one of Australia's top fashion, beauty and lifestyle resources. She has worked on campaigns with brands including David Jones, Myer, Mecca Cosmetica, Simone Perele, Lenovo and L'Oreal. She recently appeared in Couturing's exclusive Australian Fashion Week reality web series, The Frow, alongside top industry names including Toni Maticevski and Maybelline Creative Director Nigel Stanislaus.

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