Marsha Murray, President – Murray Resources Ltd.

Challenges: The biggest challenge in starting Murray Resources was having no business education. With a degree in elementary education, I didn’t have a business plan, didn’t have the finances needed and didn’t know what steps I needed to make to take out a business loan. I had to overcome the tendency to think that you need all the answers before you can make a move. Starting small and putting one foot in front of the other, I realized I could get somewhere. And, that beat waiting and getting nowhere.

Startup: In 1988, I found myself facing an impending divorce and with raising two small children on my own I knew I needed to find a way to support us. I borrowed $2,000 from my father, bought a correcting Selectric typewriter and got business cards. With no clients, no job applicants and an office in a spare bedroom, I was open for business.

Best advice: My brothers and I were competitive swimmers. My dad always said, “It’s not about winning or losing or beating anyone else. It’s about doing your personal best.” I don’t measure my success or accomplishments against anyone else. My focus is my progress and improvement and whether I’ve given it my personal best today.

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