Startup Savvy: Heather Delaney Of Gallium Ventures Shares Their Secrets For Rapid Growth and Success
An Interview With Eden Gold
Continuous learning: stay curious and committed to lifelong learning. There are so many resources out there — from formal education to mentorship, self-study, you name it. Choose what works best for you: your new skills and knowledge will keep you adaptable and competitive in an ever-evolving world.
The entrepreneurial landscape is more vibrant and challenging than ever, with young entrepreneurs at the forefront, driving innovation and redefining the boundaries of success in the business world. These dynamic individuals are not only creating new products and services but also building sustainable business models that thrive in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven environment. Their journeys are filled with lessons of resilience, strategic innovation, and the relentless pursuit of growth. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Heather Delaney.
Transatlantic entrepreneur and internationally recognised tech expert Heather Delaney is Managing Director and Founder of Gallium Ventures, an award-winning, global communications consultancy.
Gallium Ventures builds and fixes brands — from startups to high-profile organisations — supporting businesses across communications strategy through to creative PR and marketing activations, and even exit or IPO.
Having built successful companies both in the United States and in the United Kingdom, Heather combines her Silicon Valley roots with a deep understanding of the international landscape across B2B and B2C, whether that be a startup or high-profile organisations, such as HTC, MediaTek, Flo Health, etc.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about cultural sensitivity, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
Like many others, I ‘stumbled’ into the world of PR almost by accident. Whilst working at a company, I realised how vital it is for people to hear about a brand before they can actively look for it. This realisation sparked my interest in PR, a field previously unknown to me, as it wasn’t something discussed in school — where career paths are often narrowed down to traditional options such as accounting, medicine or law.
I discovered that PR has many facets and those searching for a career within the industry could focus on areas such as sports PR, tech PR, gaming PR, and so much more. As someone who has a passion for building and fixing things, I found PR was often a helpful puzzle piece for brands, but I was able to move on from PR into product development and supporting brands from the inside as they look for growth.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
Since starting my career, I have been lucky enough to travel across the world. Starting from the US, being born and raised in the Silicon Valley, I had the privilege to expereince the creative buzz of the UK and Germany, and then such a diverse culture in Tokyo., , each destination has given me unforgettable memories and invaluable lessons. Working with brands and journalists across such different landscapes made me not only appreciate the richness of our world, but also expand my professional horizons and appreciation of diversity.
You are a successful individual. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
I am a naturally curious person, who is always seeking out how things work and why things are as they are. Getting to the bottom of how a product or service functions, or understanding the long-term goals of a brand (products, sales, exit, etc.) helps me identify a strategy for success — as well as the means to bring that to life.
Along with my curiosity, another key trait is being open-minded and always receptive to new perspectives and ideas. This fuels learning and growth and lays the ground to thrive in a constantly changing world.
Finally, another trait I feel was instrumental is critical thinking: my tendency to analyse information, question assumptions, and make informed decisions allowed me to foster continuous personal and professional development.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview about young entrepreneurs secrets to rapid growth and success. To start, how would you define success?
Success is not a one-size-fits-all. For some, success might simply be being happy in a role or company. For others, it might be finding their first customer or selling their company for enough to be able to retire. Each person is different and will determine what success looks like to them. The secret is to understand what your goal is and work backward, doing reverse engineering, to identify the best path to get there.
What unconventional strategy did you employ that significantly contributed to your startup’s growth, and why do you think it was so effective?
More than a strategy, my rule of thumb is to treat others the way you want to be treated. Sadly, this is unconventional and seems to be often forgotten. Combining this with my drive to fully understand the big picture, and figuring out how the puzzle pieces fit together, is a recipe for growth.
By asking a lot of questions — often the same ones that brands should be asking themselves — and using my time to educate the companies we work with is an effective way to achieve success. It’s a mix of logic with a sprinkle of creativity; brands need to see how it all works so that they are better informed and can take the reins themselves. Knowledge is power, and a little enlightenment goes a long way!
Can you share a critical pivot point in your startup’s journey and how you navigated the decision-making process?
Moving HQ from Silicon Valley to London was a big decision, as many brands often make the faulty choice of picking a partner simply based on what city they are located in. The choice was a logical one, as by being stationed in London we sit in between time zones and can work with press and support brands in Europe, North America, and APAC without burning out staff with 10pm, 2am, or 6am phone calls.
How do you balance the need for rapid growth with maintaining a sustainable and healthy company culture?
I’m very far from the typical consultancy goal of hitting a certain number of staff. I’m all about a happy team. Whether it is 3 or 300 people, if my team is smiling, it means they’re loving the work they do, relish the partnerships they’re in, and deliver the best to our clients. This happy cycle is a positive loop that keeps our company culture buzzing and ensures we grow at a steady pace, not just because of some arbitrary headcount stroking an ego. Happiness first, numbers will follow.
In what ways has your personal definition of success evolved since the inception of your startup?
It actually did not change. I had countless valuable opportunities to support brands around the world to launch, grow, expand, and sometimes even bid farewell, being integrated as a member of their own team. Working side by side with the brand’s internal teams allowed us to reach new heights. As such, my views of success have always been intertwined with the happiness of the employees, which in turn drives results that soar high above industry norms. In a world where burnout runs rampant, prioritising employee well-being has been my compass, driving us to great outcomes time and time again.
Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Things You Need to Succeed as a Young Person in Business?”
1 . Passion: no great work can be done without something that gets you out of bed in the morning. Find what truly ignites your passion and aligns with your values.
2 . Emotional intelligence: being able to navigate interpersonal relationships effectively is key. Effective communication, both verbal and nonverbal, is crucial to building trust and collaboration (and let’s face it, to solve the inevitable misunderstandings/conflicts).
3 . Continuous learning: stay curious and committed to lifelong learning. There are so many resources out there — from formal education to mentorship, self-study, you name it. Choose what works best for you: your new skills and knowledge will keep you adaptable and competitive in an ever-evolving world.
4 . Resilience: change is a constant, so embrace it and be prepared to pivot when needed. In such dynamic, unpredictable times, being adaptable to new situations and resilient in the face of setbacks is necessary for long-term success.
5 . Networking: cultivate a strong network of mentors, peers, and industry professionals — the more, the merrier. Building meaningful relationships will give you valuable guidance and support whilst opening the doors to new opportunities.
What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring entrepreneur that you wish someone had given you at the start of your journey?
Embrace failure as a stepping stone to success. Don’t be afraid to go out there and try new things. You might fail in some areas, but there is always a lesson to be learned. Setbacks and challenges are inevitable, but it’s how you react to them that ultimately defines your journey and gives you case studies in which to learn by in future.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
This is a tricky question! If I could inspire a movement bringing the most amount of good to the most amount of people I would firstly advocate to treat others the way you want to be treated. It’s a foundational principle of empathy and kindness that goes a long way to foster understanding and cooperation. Secondly, I’d say to always consider the perspective of others before making judgments or decisions, taking the time to understand why someone holds a particular belief. These practices of empathy and perspective-taking hold the potential to inspire a movement centered around understanding and problem-solving, allowing positive change for as many people as possible.
How can our readers further follow you online?
They can find me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherdelaneypr/
X/Twitter https://twitter.com/DivertingLife
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About The Interviewer: Eden Gold, is a youth speaker, keynote speaker, founder of the online program Life After High School, and host of the Real Life Adulting Podcast. Being America’s rising force for positive change, Eden is a catalyst for change in shaping the future of education. With a lifelong mission of impacting the lives of 1 billion young adults, Eden serves as a practical guide, aiding young adults in honing their self-confidence, challenging societal conventions, and crafting a strategic roadmap towards the fulfilling lives they envision.
Do you need a dynamic speaker, or want to learn more about Eden’s programs? Click here: https://bit.ly/EdenGold
Startup Savvy: Heather Delaney Of Gallium Ventures Shares Their Secrets For Rapid Growth and… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.