Happy International Women’s Day, a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women!
In honour of International Women’s Day, we’re shining a spotlight on Lisa Thurnell, Director of our sister company, Go Car Charge. Lisa is a business owner in the renewable and sustainability sector, playing a crucial role in shaping a greener, more resilient planet. She has generously shared her experience of successfully running the EV charge point business, Go Car Charge.
What inspired you to start your own business in EV?
I joined forces with Tom (from TS Electrical) to start Go Car Charge because I wanted to make a difference for our future generations. We need to start making the change now to ensure a greener future for our planet and its people. Plus, I genuinely had (and still do!) an interest in EV and EV charge points, how they function and how they benefit everyone from individuals to businesses.
What are some of the skills or qualities that helped you succeed in the renewable and sustainability sector?
I have previous experience in the motor industry working with classic cars, which meant I had some prior knowledge and connections to help break into this space. I also had determination to share the positive news and benefits of this new and responsible section of the motor industry.
What are some of the biggest obstacles you faced as a female entrepreneur and how did you overcome them?
I find that this is a very male dominated industry. I’m sure many others in my position would agree that we must work harder to show our value as women in this industry. Sometimes, when I bring a male colleague along to an event, I find that the first question about the business or EV is directed at him, for instance. However, by investing time in building my personal brand, I have found this to be very helpful, but there are still occasional hurdles.
What are some of the goals or projects you are currently excited about?
We’re excited to be working with a large EV business and starting a project based in London supplying EV chargers for destination charging. We’re also working with a well-known hotel brand who are looking to roll out chargers for their visitors throughout the UK. I’m eager to grow the business and at the same time increase the infrastructure for destination charging to enhance the UK based leisure industry.
How do you balance your personal and professional life?
As a single mum, all I can really say is that it’s a case of just trying to get the right balance where possible! Family life is crucial, there’s no doubt about that, and work will always have its deadlines and demands. Balancing those highs and lows as much as possible is essential to being present in both. Plus, we recruit those who share our vision and determination in order to have the support within the business to keep it running effectively. There’s no denying that some days or weeks are tougher than others, as with any growing business, but it pays off and the rewards are worth it!
What advice would you give to others looking to start their own business?
My advice would simply be that there is never a perfect time to start a business! However, if it’s something that you want to do then go for it. I believe that it’s better to have tried and not succeeded, than have any regrets or feelings of what could have been, and I’m certainly pleased I made the change!
Finally, what advice would you give to those wanting to kick start their careers in the renewable and sustainability sector?
One key piece of advice would be to learn about the industry! This can be from the actual experience of driving an EV for example, to attending forward thinking industry events to learn what’s impacting the sector, and to stay ahead of the game. I also recommend getting on LinkedIn and following and communicating with industry and thought leaders to learn from them, as well as building up your own personal brand.
Get in touch with the team
If you’re looking for renewable and sustainable energy solutions, from EV Charge points to Solar and Battery Storage installations, talk to our team at office@tselectrical.info to find out more, or head over to Solar Services | TS Electrical.
Plus, make sure to visit gocarcharge.co.uk to learn more about installing EV charge points for your home or business.
