Meet Sue
Sue is the inspirational leader behind Trading Tree, a company dedicated to improving the lives of Australian businesses. Her new marketplace Trading Tree provides a valuable platform for small businesses to connect, share knowledge, and receive support to help them flourish.
Sue recently shared her personal story, unique perspective, and the valuable lessons she has learned throughout her career in a compelling interview. Through her passion and unwavering commitment to her vision, Sue is a driving force in the industry, making a positive impact on the lives of countless businesses across Australia.
Passion for Health & Business
Sue is an entrepreneur who has dedicated her life to health and wellness, both physically and holistically, and helping others. After starting her working life as part of the first group of Australian employees for Microsoft, she soon found another love, business.
She pursued her passion and started her first side hustle as an Aerobic Instructor. At the age of 25, she opened her first retail Health & Fitness business in Bondi Junction, which grew into a national chain with the assistance of business partners.
Over the following 30 years, Sue’s business won a highly sought-after NSW Government Tender for Fire & Rescue and beat some of the country’s biggest suppliers to secure a massive Australian Army contract (largest capital works project since WW2), expanding into wholesale distribution.
After starting a family and opting out of city life, Sue moved back to the coastal country town she grew up in and continued to operate her wholesale business in a side hustle capacity while juggling life raising her two sons.
Unique Perspective
Sue’s drive to succeed comes from the grit to survive and push through when she doesn’t think she has the energy or the will to get out of bed. At the age of 23, and only a newlywed, Sue tragically lost her new husband to cancer.
She was alone in the city, with a newly “purchased” (read mortgaged) home with interest rates at 17.5% and unemployed. She had to pick herself up, dust herself off, and find a job to cover the mortgage, which eventually led to her starting her first side-hustle business.
Sue’s experience has given her a unique perspective on the struggles of small business owners, especially those who are juggling a side-hustle while also balancing their personal lives. She believes that the journey of life can be especially challenging for women who are struggling to balance their responsibilities. And that is why she has started the Struggling Sister of the Side Hustle program, to provide support and guidance for women in similar situations.
Vision and Purpose
Trading Tree’s mission is centred around empowering small businesses to grow and succeed. At the heart of this mission is Sue’s BHAG, or Big Hairy Audacious Goal, which is to help improve the lives of 500,000 Aussie businesses and assist 10,000 sisters of the Side Hustle to achieve their dreams through the program by 2027.
The platform achieves this goal by providing a space where small business owners can connect with each other and buy and sell quality wholesale goods. Through Trading Tree, entrepreneurs can network with other like-minded individuals, share their experiences, and learn from one another.
In addition, Trading Tree offers the Sisters of the Side Hustle program, which is specifically designed to support women entrepreneurs. This program provides a community of support and resources to help female business owners achieve their goals and realize their dreams.
The ultimate goal of Trading Tree is to contribute to the economic vitality of Australia by supporting the growth and success of small businesses. By connecting business owners and sharing knowledge, Trading Tree is helping to foster a supportive network that can provide valuable resources and advice to entrepreneurs seeking to grow and succeed.
Important Lessons
Sue has a mantra in life that she lives by, and that is the belief that happiness is contagious. Her infectious smile and positive attitude earned her the moniker of “Smiling Sue”.
She firmly believes that by leading a life filled with positivity and happiness, others around you will be drawn to your energy and want to be a part of what you are doing. This is particularly relevant in business, where positivity and happiness can help foster strong relationships with clients, employees, and other stakeholders.
One of the most important lessons Sue has learned in business is the value of clear communication with all stakeholders. This means taking the time to ask powerful questions and ensure that everyone is on the same page and understands who is doing what. When communication is not clear, it can lead to misunderstandings and confusion, which can impact the success of the business.
Motivation and Beliefs
The development of Trading Tree has been met with obstacles and challenges, but Sue’s determination to succeed remains unwavering. She firmly believes that the platform will flourish as long as she dedicates her time and attention with love.
Sue’s drive for helping others comes from the 3 people she considers inspiring in her life. First is Sue’s mum, a dedicated teacher. Even though her job wasn’t directly related to business, Sue’s mum always went above and beyond to help the students. Her selflessness and work ethic left a real impact on Sue and gave her the drive to help others.
As a professional, Sue got inspired by her close friend Lisa who runs Coach Global Australia. Lisa’s determination to build a business that helps people all around the world is truly inspiring to Sue. Sue tells us that Lisa always finds a way to solve problems and her people-centric approach has earned her respect and admiration in the industry.
Lastly, Sue’s personal inspiration comes from Louis Hay the philosopher behind “Heal Your Life”. Sue pursued coaching and teaching certifications under Louis Hay. In that work, Sue found deep fulfilment in witnessing the transformation of people attending her workshops. It gave her a real sense of purpose.
These big three sources of inspiration shaped her determination to succeed and her commitment to helping others. She recognizes that purpose, teamwork and delegation are key to achieving success and is committed to put in the hard work and effort to make her vision a reality.
And the story continues…
Sue’s journey is an inspiring example for anyone facing challenges in their personal or professional lives. Her passion, unwavering determination, and optimistic outlook have enabled her to overcome obstacles and achieve remarkable success.
Sue’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, positive thinking, and a strong sense of purpose. Her unwavering commitment to helping Australian businesses succeed is a true inspiration, and a reminder that with hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude, anything is possible.
Now you can join the movement!
Here’s the exciting part for Australian wholesaler buyers and sellers! You can now become part of Sue’s vision. Simply head to Trading Tree’s website and join with a free trial.
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