Roxy Jacenko: "I give the Kardashians a run for their money"
After building a public relations mini-empire and penning three novels, the 38-year-old entrepreneur shares the secrets of her success in Roxy’s Little Black Book of Tips and Tricks.
What’s your new book all about?
The business seminars I do across Australia have proved so popular, the book was the next step. It’s not necessarily for people who already own their own business, but for people who are looking at their career and might want to make a move, and what to do and what not to do.
You started your PR company at just 24 – how do you explain your success?
I wasn’t one of the smartest kids in school but what I had was a dedication and a desperation to succeed. Because I didn’t have the smarts to rely on, I used creative thinking and creative sales techniques to be remembered.
How have you dealt with the tough times you’ve faced over the years?
I have had every challenge! I think I give the Kardashians a run for their money in terms of drama. You plough through those challenges. There’s been Olly’s imprisonment, cancer and everything in between. It just builds stronger character and makes you more resilient to do even better.
Are you ever tempted to retire early?
I’ve worked since I was 14. McDonald’s was my first job. Life isn’t cheap and I don’t just want a simple life. That suits some people, it doesn’t suit me. Someone has to keep the economy afloat, don’t they?
Olly works at your company now, but working with your spouse is often difficult, isn’t it?
Especially when you’re me! It was a big call but the business can be even bigger and better if I have got someone with knowledge of the back end to support me. Obviously given Olly’s time in prison and subsequent challenges of getting a job, for me it was a natural progression. I said to him, it’s there for you, we can be a deadly team together. We fight – don’t get me wrong - but at the same time it’s with the best intentions. But we laugh at the end of the day – well he probably cries, but I laugh!
What next?
I am working with a production company – you heard it here first! There may be a TV reality show very close to happening. It will be on a major network – not a free to air. It’s something we’ve been working on for a while. Nothing’s set in stone but the wheels are in motion.
