Please tell us what is a typical business
day for you?
My day is generally
divided between creating content for the radio station (researching topics and
interviewing experts, then editing and mixing those interviews) and promoting
the radio station (giving talks, networking, social media, blogging et)
What made you start the business and how did you
get started?
I have always loved
radio and I’ve always been passionate about the planet so this is the perfect
combination of my two loves. Radio is a very powerful medium, but having worked
for many radio stations, as both a producer and / or presenter, I felt that
most of them didn’t really use that power in an inspirational way. There seems
to be a lot of blame, moaning and gossiping – none of which I find makes me
feel good! So I wanted to create a radio station that was both entertaining AND
inspirational. A radio station that intrigued and motivated people to live a
full and ethical life.
What would you say has been your greatest
accomplishment in the business world to date?
Raising over £500,000
to launch PASSION for the PLANET radio – and launching it, on time, under
budget (in 2002).
What has been your biggest
challenge in business so far?
It has always been matching the ideas with the resources. There is so
much we could do if we had the resources. But I guess most businesses have that
challenge!
What are your future plans for the
business?
To keep growing the listener base, to make sure we remain the leading
station for health and environmental issues, to inspire more and more people
every year.
If you had to do it all over
again, what would you do differently?
There are lots of things I have learnt in the last 10 years since we
launched PASSION for the PLANET so it’s inevitable that I would do things
differently if I did it all again. But, that said, I am comfortable with the
decisions I made at the time with the information I had at the time. I think
that’s very important.
Why is it so important to inspire
young women in particular to follow their dreams?
It’s important to inspire everyone to follow their dreams – but it’s
also important to help them understand what’s achievable and realistic. I am a
real believer in following your dreams – but I do not believe we have a right
to live them. We need to earn them and be responsible for our own lives.
Sometime that’s means compromising. Just because it’s a dream doesn’t mean the
world owes you the right to follow that dream. You earn the right through hard
work and commitment. Some dreams are achievable, some aren’t. Some dreams are
responsible, some aren’t. If your dream means that others have to suffer or shoulder
a burden so you can live it, then I certainly wouldn’t encourage that dream.
What advice would you give to
somebody who wants to start a business in your industry?
You need to be really passionate and really committed. You need to
understand the legislation and regulation surrounding the radio industry, and
you need to be prepared to earn very little for a long while!
What or who inspires you in business
and why?
People who are living life to full,
following their dreams and taking risks – these are the people that inspire me.
I am lucky I meet quite a few of them in the course of my work at PASSION for
the PLANET. When someone is passionate about what they are doing I can’t help
being pulled into it and feeling inspired and energised. I believe that it
doesn’t matter what “floats your boat” what’s important is that you float it
with passion.
What is your favourite inspirational quote?
My favourite quote and the one I try to live my life by
is: The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to stand back
and do nothing.
Chantal Cooke, co-founder PASSION for the PLANET
radio, http://www.passionforfreshideas.com
Email:chantal@passionfortheplanet.com
Twitter @passionftplanet
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