About
Hi, I’m Nicola Hanna,
former geologist, perennial data nerd and current tech ninja (clients term, not mine). I’m here to help you take care of the necessary evils of a modern online business, turning them into your secret weapon. I’ve worked fly in-fly out as an exploration geologist in middle of nowhere Western Australia, and as an IT do-it-all in Sydney before starting my own online IT support business. I have 10 years of experience as the go to problem solver in both industries so I’m sure I can help you out.
I get the impulse to do everything for your business yourself, I do that too.
Unfortunately, there a comes a time when it’s just physically not possible. I’m here to take those technical tasks (like building your website) off your plate so you can get back to your zone of genius.
I’m a bit of a rebel, I’ve worked in male dominated industries my entire career, first as a geologist, then in IT. Now I’m striking out on my own; I strongly believe that women led businesses make the world a better place, and I want to increase the number of those by having one myself and by helping other women run their own businesses.
That’s what drives me, helping women build and run their business dreams.
But wait… Geologist? Yep! My degree is a Bachelor of Science, Majoring in Geology from Auckland University. I loved it, I’m fascinated by all things science and I’m definitely a data nerd. I worked Fly In, Fly Out to the Pilbara (Western Australia) as an Exploration Geologist for two and a half years which was both a great experience and also *boy* do I have some stories. And that’s how I got into IT, I realised the best parts of that job were working with the databases and various other pieces of software. Next, I went to TAFE (in Australia), and did a Database Design and Development Diploma. Shortly thereafter, I was hired in an IT Operations/Support role by Mirus Australia. As with the geology job, the learning curve was steep, but I thrived. I was quickly recognised as having made an exceptionally positive impact on the IT Team and the business. Seriously! They gave me an award and everything. I was formally promoted in March 2017 to IT Team Lead though the real tea (internet speak for reality/truth) is that I’d already been doing that job for many months. Leading isn’t about a title, it’s about coordination, decision-making, and most importantly trust from your colleagues and everyone else; I’d cultivated that long before I got the title.
Finding my purpose…
In May/June of 2016 I got myself a Life Coach, we talked about many things, and one of them was the possibility of starting my own business. I’d literally never believed I could or should do it before, but with her help I start to consider it a matter of not if but when. Having started being a Technical Virtual Assistant at the request of my Aunty in May 2017, the what and the how was set. I had more to do for Mirus though so I stuck it out a little longer. After a series of personnel changes, it became clear, I’d done all I could do.
Time to make my business dreams real!
In the time I worked for Mirus, I worked with many different systems, usually with little to no training and almost always in a stressful “agile” environment. When I worked for Fortescue Metals Group, the work enviroment was almost exactly the same even though the physical environments were vastly different. All together, I’ve had 8 years of experience in problem solving and decision making with an eye to business goals and costs and then executing those decisions too.
This company has a history!
My parents John & Sarah Hanna created Hanna & Associates before I was even born in 1986, to provide personalised IT leadership and project management to a few lucky clients. Sarah later diverted her attention in 2005 to providing accounts and office administration to clients. John is in semi-retirement now and no longer taking on new clients while Sarah contracts to The Wardrobe Company for 4 days a week. You can still get a hold of them through the contact form if required.