Tony Njanja is a versatile professional with expertise in both the training and creative industries. As the Marketing Director of Apex Training Institute, a Registered Training Organisation, he spearheads the delivery of nationally recognised training and assessment programmes in various sectors, including Aged Care, Home and Community Care, Disability Support, Children Services, Manual Handling, and First Aid and CPR.
In addition to his role at Apex Training Institute, Tony also serves as the Head of Creative at Tony Tini Tone Productions Limited (TTT Productions). In this capacity, he takes charge of the entire writing and rewriting process of TTT Productions' output, ensuring the propagation of the company's culture. Tony oversees all aspects of operation, aiming to maximise revenue and profits for stakeholders. He manages relationships with internal and external stakeholders throughout the writing, pre and post-production phases and drives the marketing, branding, and promotion processes to enhance visibility and profitability. Tony also maintains key external stakeholder relationships and provides comprehensive oversight of line production and executive production from inception to completion.
Q: Can you give a brief background about you, your family and your business?
I am third generation entrepreneur. My grandmother was an entrepreneur. My mother is a serial entrepreneur who started multiple businesses. My father and sister are in business. I made my first attempt at a business when I was 19, and I started the current business that I run, Apex Training Institute when I was 22.
Q: What inspired you to be an entrepreneur?
I think it's a simple case of not knowing anything else. My mother's been a serial entrepreneur as far back as I can remember. My dad has been in the business world since the mid-90s. So I really only understand how to be an entrepreneur. I really don't know much about office politics from the other side. I think it's a case of, if your dad's a blacksmith, you become a blacksmith.
Q: What do you enjoy most about being an entrepreneur?
I think the one benefit I've always had above my peers is much more control of my time. Though it's not as much nowadays, now that I'm married with children, it's still more than it would be otherwise. I might have friends who make a bit more money than me, but the fact that I've always been able to control my time has been what I enjoy most. For example, my wife recently had dental surgery. To be able to, without much notice, take a week off to care for her and the kids is the type of thing that's been the most beneficial to me over the years.
Q: What are the biggest challenges you have faced as an entrepreneur?
One, I think it would be a mild sense of anxiety that everything could collapse at any time. That's always there. Two, everything is always much slower than you want it to be. Sometimes things might take months, years, or even decades longer than you want. Finally, the old cliche — managing people will always be a major challenge.
Q: Why did you decide to join EO?
I was recommended by an EO member who works as our VET compliance consultant. We've worked together for just under 15 years now, and I really trust his judgment. I told him that I felt that the company was about to enter into a scaling season, and I really wanted to get into a community of people where I would maintain the correct mindset. He recommended EO, and so far, it's far exceeded what he promised.
Q: Can you share a golden nugget that you learned from your experience or from another entrepreneur or mentor in the past?
I'm going to paraphrase a bit because I haven't read it in many years, but it's a Tim Ferriss idea that most "rules are negotiable". In my case, I've run a brick-and-mortar business remotely for eight years+ now, which wouldn't have seemed possible. I've applied for ISO certification, which is normally used in manufacturing and not in my Industry - but the rules are negotiable. Be very clear about the outcome and be very flexible about the approach.