Meet Jacqui Jones, the Queensland #FemaleFounder behind Way We Do.
Way We Do is an online platform that helps businesses streamline and automate their quality, compliance and risk management activities.
Jacqui and her team at Way We Do have helped thousands of businesses across 28 countries centralise their policies and procedures in the cloud to drive consistency and accountability.
We caught up with Jacqui to find out more about Way We Do and her journey as a Queensland #FemaleFounder.
What inspired you to start your business?
Before Way We Do, my partner and I started another company Keyword Intent that was rapidly growing and employing staff. We needed a way to systematise the business and easily onboard new team members, so they were productive as quickly as possible. We saw that many of our business owner friends struggled with the same issue, so we decided to create a solution to this problem. We launched Way We Do and pivoted the entire business to this solely.
What milestones have you reached?
Way We Do has grown from a startup to a high growth company without investment.
We have a team of seven employees based in Redlands and Cairns, plus additional contractors. Creating regional jobs is important to us.
We now have customers in 28 countries who use the platform for a range of purposes including quality management, information security management, human resources, financial management, and more. They come from more than 30 different industries, such as technology, pharmaceutical, finance and education.
What business achievements are you most proud of to date?
I was a finalist in the inaugural Australian Women in Tech Pitch 2019 event. It was a privilege to be recognised for our hard work, raise my profile and increase the visibility of the Way We Do brand.
I was also a finalist in the 2015 RiverPitch event, which was my first experience with pitching. A terrifying moment, but an excellent way to start learning the ropes of the investor world.
Have you participated in any Advance Queensland programs, or received any support from Advance Queensland to date?
Way We Do was an Advance Queensland Ignite Ideas Fund recipient in 2017. We used the grant to integrate with Microsoft technologies to make the Way We Do platform more attractive to potential customers.
I also regularly participate in Advance Queensland’s ACE Network events, which I enjoy and I’m grateful for the ongoing education and support.
What’s your advice for other female entrepreneurs and businesses starting out on their entrepreneurship journey?
My advice to other entrepreneurs is to think big (global) in a focused way – yes, you can do it. Acknowledge the fear and do it anyway!
You need to know who your ideal customer segment is and intimately understand the problem you are solving for them. It all starts here, so start talking to as many potential customers as possible from day one and ask for pre-sales before you launch the product.
Signed deals and cashflow will drive your business forward. Don’t wait for investors, as we have a lack of them in Australia. If you get investment that’s great, but if not, don’t rely on it. You can start and grow your business without it (it just takes longer).
