Hire and Rental News - November 2018

WOMEN in HIRE How did you first get involved in the rental industry? A: I was approached by my father, Hugh Gilchrist who had been approached by an existing hire company to purchase the business. He then approached my brother, Jake Gilchrist and I to operate the business with him. Our first family venture. It was interesting timing; my brother was in the middle of selling his electrical business with the plan to work in our father’s manufacturing business. I had just sold my tourism business, Chocoholic Tours and had no idea what I wanted to do next. I was diagnosed with Cancer in December 2015 and all my operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy took place in 2016, which was part of the reason I sold my business. When my father asked me to join an industry I knew nothing about, I thought of a quote I once read from Richard Branson: ‘If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you’re not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later.’ You guessed it, I said yes. Pink Boots Hire launched on 1 July 2017 and I have spent the past 12 months learning all about the hire and rental industry. Part of the reason I said yes was because my vision is much bigger than just hire and rental. We agreed as a family to use this new business venture as a vehicle to give back to the people that helped me through my cancer journey and we also want to empower women in trade related industries. This is where the idea for the name ‘Pink Boots Hire’ came from. Every employee wears pink steel cap boots as part of the uniform; $10 from every pair sold goes directly towards people across Australia affected by breast cancer. We do exactly the same with our equipment; $10 from every hire goes directly to the Olivia Newton John Cancer Wellness Centre. They helped me during my cancer journey so now we can help them through our business. Q: How long have you worked in the hire industry? A: I have worked in the hire industry for one year, and nine months. I feel as though I am still so fresh in this industry. The first 12 months was so challenging, I honestly came very close to giving up. The only reason I stayed was because I have a massive ‘why’ in this business and I really did want to make our family venture work. It still has its challenges but nowhere near what it was like in the first 12 months. LOTS of changes were made within the first 12 months of the business. Q: What is your role and responsibilities? A: My role is sales, business development, marketing and public relations. However Tackling the big issues up front – Jessica Gilchrist – Pink Boots With a working history as an event manager, tour guide and small business owner, Jessica Gilchrist took on a big career challenge when she stepped into her first role in the hire industry, working for the family access business. With the family business very much focused on giving back to facilities and organisations that provided much needed support during a tough personal time, Jessica’s new role in PR, marketing and business development means she now gets to focus on creating a positive and safe working environment for the company’s employees, and in making them feel valued while creating a fun, safe and productive workplace. Continued on p22... 20 HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS • NOVEMBER 2018 Jessica Gilchrist Business Development Manager – Pink Boots