A lifelong study of the art, science and passion of eating good-for-you-food has given Deb a vast knowledge of food and healthy living choices. Deb Bixler now offers diet and lifestyle coaching - she teaches common sense solutions to weight management. Read and Be Inspired !!!



Can you tell us a bit about your business?
    As a 30-year veteran of the hospitality business, I retired from the corporate world in 2000 to start my home party plan business. I used this business as a transition tool to gradually move into what I love and that is teaching people how to live healthy through whole food and natural eating choices. In the process, I found another niche that I am exceptionally good at, which is home party sales. After leaving my corporate job and replacing my income in only nine months, I began training my own sales team and eventually started training other home party plan and direct sales professionals as well. I am still active in my direct sales company and also present workshops for corporations, schools, organizations and direct sales companies and team leaders as well. My mission is to change the quality of family life through creative education in the area of healthy living and home business solutions. {www.DebBixler.com}     Based on your experience as a professional speaker, can you give us a couple of tips for growing the business (basically to someone who has just entered the professional speaking field or thinking of entering this line of business)?
    1. Focus on your passions. Speaking to groups is easier and more exciting for the audience when you are passionate about the information you are presenting.


2. Most people never begin public speaking because they are to busy writing speeches. Just write your speech titles and get started. Don’t wait until you have all your speeches written out. Write out three snappy titles reflecting your passions and then three subtitles which are more descriptive and start booking your events. The process of finding gigs will determine if you have viable topics. If you write the speeches first you may be wasting your time, as there might not be a market for them. The “booking” process will also give you a better idea of the needs and open up new ideas for other speeches you may be qualified to present.


3. Give your best presentation every time. Even if there are only one or two people in the room, give them the best. This will happen as you gain experience. Remember that a good program for one or two people will generate a packed house for another program. A lackluster program because the room is empty or a cancellation will result in more cancellations for the future.         If you had your time to live over again is there anything you would do differently in your business?
    Most likely I would make the same mistakes over again.         If you could name just one key ingredient for success in the home party business, what would that be?
    I can not narrow it down to one. The key ingredients to success for any business are study, action, and commitment.

The home party plan business model is simple, yet only 20% of the people who start a home party plan business succeed in reaching their expectations. One of the biggest mistakes that home party plan reps make is that they do not take the time to go through job training. When you get a job at a department store and you only want to work 1 day a week, they still require you to train for 7-10 days before going to the one day per week schedule. In HPP many people start by scheduling 1-2 shows in a month and then wonder why they are not “getting bookings”. Studying your chosen trade and taking advantage of the many resources available to you in the direct sales industry will assure success.         What’s the smartest bit of marketing you’ve ever done?     When I first started my home business I started marketing with enthusiasm. My goal was one new booking a day. In order to make that happen I asked 10 people a day. Everyone who quits a home party plan business does so because they do not have enough bookings. (They may say they are busy, having a baby or some other popular excuse and yet the fact is that if they had tons of bookings in those situations they would continue in their business.) Smart marketing requires using every lead generation systems available. Most home party businesses focus only on two sources of leads:
1. The home party
2. Friends, family and acquaintances
I practiced and now teach creative marketing. My training program “Power UP For Professional Results” is the marketing system I used to fill my calendar in 9 months. {http://www.CreateACashFlowShow.com/find-bookings2.html}

That was pretty smart marketing and yet I think that I may be in the middle of a marketing program now that exceeds that one. The “6 Weeks To The New You” program is a natural online weight loss “camp”. The program includes day-by-day step-by-step changes sent by email which are supported by phone calls from me. I am available as the dieter’s personal coach during the program. The program is a guided tour through articles, videos, cooking lessons, etc. online. Everyone who has finished the program has lost 8-33 lbs. in 6 weeks. {www.Wow6Weeks.com)

I was approached in mid-October by a nationally known retail “club” and asked me to package it for retail sales. Since it is a “virtual” product, an overview CD, retail packaging and “Club” type (required) shipper boxes were designed for the club. The plan was to sell the overview CD at the “Club” stores. Inside the retail package would be a card with an activation code to activate their online diet coach. The program was developed and designed specifically for the club and after creating, designing and paying for 1000 units the company backed out of the deal. All 1000 units are in my basement! I am now in the process of marketing it to cover costs and have placed it in five local stores. I am looking forward to marketing it during the New Year diet season and ordering another 1000 units quickly!         What do you believe is your greatest business achievement so far?
    I developed a home party plan business in 9 months that replaced my 30 year career. For 5 years I used the HPP business as my primary source of household income.         Finally, your five keys to success?     1. Study: If you are not growing then you are falling behind.


2. Honesty/Integrity: You must only engage in events or transactions that benefit all involved.


3. Commitment: You can only fail when you stop.


4. Action: Without action you have no business.


5. Positive Attitude: As Americans, we have many things to be grateful for. Good or bad, every situation has something good in it.

We now have over 50 labels to our range which makes us the largest online retailer for maternity and baby and we consistently advertise and market our brand throughout Australia and other countries. How have you been coping with this growth (I mean did you have to put in place in some systems to cope with the growth – basically, were there any hiccups as a result of the growth and if so how did you overcome them)?
A completely new infrastructure was required to include new computers, software and operating systems, new staff and ongoing training plus lots of PR to support the growth of the company. We outsource a good deal of the specialized work for the company such as SEO and PR as I am a firm believer in getting what you pay for. For example, if you need a loaf of bread, you go to a bakers and if you need specialist PR work then you use somebody who has expertise in this field. What is the most rewarding thing about your job?
Reward for me comes from the ability to design all of the Lilly B range of dresses and evening gowns. My strength comes from colour and design and this, for me, is the fun part of the business. I must admit, its really nice to be able to have a good lifestyle from the success of the business. We are going to the UK at Christmas to visit family and friends its really great to be able to do these things. What is the best advice you have ever received about running a business?
In the beginning, I had a mentor from a very successful business woman here on the central coast. The support she gave me was immeasurable and I’m very lucky to still be in contact with her and see her new business go from strength to strength. I would recommend seeking a good mentor for anybody looking to go into business for themselves. How many hours do you work each day? This depends on the demands of the business and whether I feel in a creative mood or not. Sometimes, I can just let the girls get on with the daily running of orders and answering of queries, and sometimes I pitch in too, especially if somebody is sick. Most of the time, I meet with suppliers, workrooms, dressmakers, pattern makers etc and converse with overseas suppliers, however I do pitch in with the mundane things like monthly stock counts. What is your number one stress relief tactic?
A good bottle of cabernet merlot! These days it quality that counts rather than quantity! Finally, your five keys to success? 1. Take the time to write a business plan and stick to it - think about where you’d like to be in 2 years, 5 years and 10 years time.

2. Business success comes from the seed of a thought.

3. Brand advertising is a waste of money unless you’re Cocoa Cola.

4. The support of your husband or partner is crucial.

5. The power of positive thinking! To read more stories about women in the service based industry click Idea Home Based Service Business Sites Of Interest http://www.sweetlillymaternity.com.au/ This interview was published on 31st March 2009 To read the earlier interview with Sally click Cool Maternity Clothes. Visit Sally’s website to get more information about her business…. ]]> http://www.dotcommothers.com/own-business-idea/feed/ http://www.dotcommothers.com/meet-carolyn-creswell-carmans-kitchen/ http://www.dotcommothers.com/meet-carolyn-creswell-carmans-kitchen/#comments Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:16:31 +0000 sandy.naidu http://www.dotcommothers.com/?p=1028 My guest today is Carolyn Creswell. At 18, Carolyn was working part time for a business that was making muesli and selling it to cafes. It was a very small business. When her employer decided to sell the business, Carolyn bought it from them. She was only 18 then. She named her business Carman’s Kitchen. 16 years on, her muesli bars are sold in all major supermarkets across Australia. They are also exported to over 20 countries across the globe. Carolyn has won numerous business awards. Read and Be Inspired !!! You started small…Today you have converted it into a multi million dollar business. What do you think is your point of difference? (I mean what do you think is different in your business philosophy that has helped you to grow to such a huge level and not just stay small)?
    Some people thought I was crazy at age 18 to buy a business. But I felt at the time, what others saw as a risk, I saw as an opportunity. I believe it’s that same “can do” attitude that has led to the company’s success today.

The main differentiator is Carman’s commitment to using healthy, good quality Australian ingredients in our products. I think these days more than ever people want to buy Australian grown and made. Carman’s appeals to the ever-growing health conscious market, whilst it’s good for you it’s also delicious!

I also like to travel overseas for ideas for the business, such as new ingredients to test out or ways in which to market the product differently.         If you had your time again, is there anything in business that you would do differently?
    Yes there are a few things I would have done differently, such as trying to take on too much and not hiring staff early enough to help with the growth of the company. However, I believe that mistakes made along the way have made me stronger.         What drives you to succeed?
    Customer satisfaction! My aim is to have the best quality product in the supermarket, yet affordable for our target market.

I constantly seek to improve the business through new and innovative product development.             Based on your experience, can you share with us a couple of tips/advice for mums who are struggling to get their products into super market shelves?
    Don’t get overwhelmed by the tasks ahead, just take things step by step. Break things down one by one and you’ll find before you know it you’re halfway there.         What is one business tool you cannot live without?     My hands free car kit, when driving to and from work I use that time to speak to people who are starting out their business and give advice, answer any questions they may have and act as a mentor to them.         What do you believe is your greatest business achievement so far?
    Winning the 2007 Ernst and Young – Australian Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.         Finally, your five keys to success?     1. Think of the people you work with as another family, delight your customers constantly and your business will quickly thrive.

2. Have a crystal clear vision of where your business is heading and refer to it every day when decision making.

3. Write lists, prioritize and clear your inbox every day. Learn to say ‘no’ to things that are not important, so you can ‘work smarter’ rather than ‘harder’.

4. ‘Drive it like you stole it’ – Sometimes you just have to trust your instincts, dive into the deep end and go for it!

5. Love what you do! Your passion, drive and enthusiasm will determine your business’ success.

The aim with the blog is to provide a shopping resource for Australian shoppers. A lot of shopping blogs focus on fashions and products overseas however My New Shiny Shoes is all about showcasing Australian online stores and products available in Australia.         You list new products every day on your site – How do you find so many new and quality products? (and also Do the business owners approach you?)
    I don’t have a life!!!!! No seriously, I don’t lol. I spend a lot of time on the net as I own a couple of online businesses so I am always on the lookout for great products and stores. As one of my businesses is a support service for work at home mums, I have access to a lot of stores so it makes my job easier. I do also get approached by businesses who want me to do product reviews etc.         What is the best advice you ever received about running a business?
    To be honest I’ve pretty much learnt the hard way and done it on my own but there is a saying that I love, my Gynaecologist has it on the wall in her office:

“the only thing more overrated than sex, is owning your own business”         How do you promote yourself? Any tips…
    I promote my businesses through helping other businesses. I am a big believer in karma and what goes around comes around. By helping others through the knowledge I have acquired it means that they are then happy to promote me. It is what I call my business “circle of life”.         What is next for your website? Where do you see yourself in a couple of years?
    I have no idea where I will be in a couple of years to be honest. My life has been one huge roller coaster so I could be doing anything and anywhere. As I have just entered a phase where my eldest daughter has left home and the younger one will be finishing high school next year, I find myself suffering from empty nest syndrome. For someone who didn’t think she was very maternal I’m certainly feeling it now. I hope to build my businesses so that my eldest daughter can work with me while studying at University – after that I do have a business idea waiting in the wings so hopefully I will be able to put that into action.         What is your number one stress relief tactic?
    Chocolate, Chocolate and more chocolate and a good book. Nothing relieves stress more for me than heading outside, lazing in the shade with a book and chocolate, it’s usually all I need to recharge the batteries.         Finally, your five keys to success?     1. Trust your instincts

2. Don’t open a baby, soap/body products or candle store!!!!!!!!! (Seriously I cannot instill this one enough – most mums think because they have tiny ones they should open a baby store – it is a cut throat industry and only the very strong and very cashed up will survive – there are so many more options).

3. Think outside the square.

4. Remember that to fail means you have tried. To not try is failure itself.

5. Have fun!   To read more stories about women in the internet marketing industry click Internet Marketing Businesses   Sites Of Interest http://www.mynewshinyshoes.com/     This interview was published on 8th March 2009   Visit Kathie’s website to get more information about her business….   ]]> http://www.dotcommothers.com/home-based-business-blogging-ideas/feed/ http://www.dotcommothers.com/self-publishing-book-company/ http://www.dotcommothers.com/self-publishing-book-company/#comments Sun, 15 Feb 2009 21:00:24 +0000 sandy.naidu http://www.dotcommothers.com/?p=957 My guest today is Nancy Cleary. Nancy’s company, Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing, has published over 150 products and in the past 10 years has printed over a quarter of million books. Nancy has a special interest in publishing books written by moms. The company has won numerous business awards, in recognition of the contribution it has been making to the publishing world. Read and Be Inspired !!! I understand you started your career as a graphic designer. How and why did you move from graphic designing to setting up a successful publishing house?     I was finalizing a beautiful 16-page product catalog for a big corporate client one morning in late November of 1998. Six-week-old MacKenzie was on my lap, her 15-month-old brother Wyatt was holding on to my chair, as I reviewed the catalog on my computer screen. That’s when it hit me. Flipping through the pages I realized-I had created the packaging for every single product in there from scratch, and for what? My name, my design company’s name, wasn’t in there anywhere! It would pay a few mortgage payments and end there while I helped my clients build their legacy. It was like an electric shock of pride, and pain. I had poured so much heart into the designs, and had juggled all that time with my family-spending more on the client than with the kids. In that moment I decided the next catalog I designed would be filled with OUR products. Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing was born in that nanosecond-so that all of my efforts would be building something bigger, for them.

Now we have a catalog of over a hundred of our own products, all by moms just like me who sit at their computers with a baby on their lap and a toddler at their knee working hard to hang on to both their kids, and their career dreams.         If you had to pick one big obstacle you faced in the initial days, what was that and how did you overcome that obstacle?
    Financing. Paying for print runs, postage, office supplies, personnel, and the costs of distribution can be mind-boggling. As a graphic designer I was paid, as a publisher I pay for everything! What I had to do was create two business models - one that financed the other. My consulting business provides an array of packaging services for authors and entrepreneurs plus an unbeatable level of expertise in publishing and promotion. Meanwhile in my “Random House for Moms” model, the cost of running an independent press outweigh the profit for now-but we’re leveraging technology, seizing changes in the industry, and making headway towards that elusive bestseller. Until then, I simply continue to take what I love to do and offer it in various ways to those who need it-breaking even financially, but raising brand equity exponentially.         What do you believe is your greatest business achievement so far?
    Branding myself with clarity. I knew who I wanted to work with (creative, energetic, positive moms), what I wanted to provide (an unparalleled publishing experience that included my passion for design which could elevate moms to the level of the multi-million dollar corporate suits I used to work for!), and I always had a clear vision for the future. I remember when I caught up to my journals-where I would brainstorm my future projects. For many years it was, “…someday I’ll create a line of keepsake boxes to hold women’s dreams, someday I’ll write a book from the publisher’s perspective to inspire writers, someday I’ll attract the most amazing writer whose book will change the world.” WellŠcheck off the first two, and the third comes out in November! Because I had created such a powerful magnet-by contributing to the community of moms for so many years, seeking out the pillars of the community and helping them so they could help others-I attracted the most amazing book pitch, ever. When I responded with unabashed fervor the author wrote back, “I have to tell you, I was beginning to despair that I would never find someone interested in a mom’s point of view.” I danced around my office for days. That author is Gina M. Bennett, mom of five and senior counterterrorism analyst for the US Intelligence Community. She wrote the first warning of Bin Laden in 1993 and had led analysis on the biggest, most widely discussed declassified documents since. Her book, “National Security Moms,” draws a powerful parallel between national security and parenting that encourages us all to get engaged and create a better future for our children. CNN correspondent Peter Bergen, author of “The Osama bin Laden I Know,” has endorsed the book wholeheartedly and we are preparing for a wild ride through its release this fall!         There are many moms who want to be authors. You probably get a lot of requests to publish a book. You obviously can’t pick every book request you get. Can you briefly tell us what some of your important selection criteria are to pick a book to publish?
    First I want to say there are many, many publishing options and the first step is to match the writer’s goals with the perfect option for them. This may be guiding them to a quickie do-it-yourself online option. Or it could be helping them create a fancy 30-page book proposal to get a literary agent and land a major publishing deal. Or it may be our transparent Imprint program which is a creative step above self-publishing underneath our umbrella.

Or it may be as a Wyatt-MacKenzie author-here’s what a great pitch to us includes:
– An unforgettable book title and descriptive subtitle, with a short 100-200 word description;
– Reviews from peers, experts, colleagues, anyone who has provided input on your manuscript;
– Links to show me the platform you have builtŠyour website, blog, articles you’ve written or been quoted in, radio interviews, podcastsŠyou get the idea. Publishing a book is more than writing it, an author must be prepared to create a thriving community around her topic, efforts and message;
– A marketing plan which shows me who you plan to reach, how you plan to contact them, when you will pitch them, and what you will pitch;
– Read “A Book is Born” and visit abookisborn.com to learn more about all of this.

And, for any agent or publisher you pitch, it’s wise to get to know as much as you can about them. When writers pitch me beginning with, “Dear Sir,” I delete. When writers pitch my office companion by name, I am amused and impressed.         Apart from publishing books, you also run a print magazine (for Moms In Business). You must be one busy lady. What is your number one stress relief tactic?
    We’re no longer doing the magazine monthly-to relieve that stress and still benefit from my effort for those years in the middle of the mompreneur boom I created four volumes of the “Best of” Mom’s Business Magazine. They still sell well on Amazon years later as many of the women I wrote about have since grown multi-million dollar well-known companies and we have their first Oprah green-room story! I’m still busy publishing 6-10 books a year, and 6-10 imprints a year-and my number one stress relief is journaling. If I didn’t journal, I think my head would explode. Sometimes it’s a purging of the frustrating moments, sometimes it’s sketching wildly creative marketing campaigns I could never afford. And while the action is cathartic, what’s left behind is a magical journey of seeds being planted days, weeks, months, yearsŠa decade before they sprout, seemingly out of nowhere until I look back and see their source. This process of self-validation, of pulling a journal off the shelf and realizing, “Wow, I did it,” gets me through the most stressful of days.         Which is your favorite book of all time?
    The book on my shelf that is the most tattered and torn is Christine Baldwin’s “Life’s Companion” - I use it often. It’s a tool in the previous stress relief exercise! When I am overwhelmed I grab my journal and this book and curl up with a view of the mountains, flip open a page at random, and find something there to meditate, and write, on. It’s my literary Magic 8-Ball. Next to this on the shelf is Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way,” and next to that Gail McMeekin’s “12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women.” I suppose as a publisher of books I should list the award-winning novels of our time, but these are the books I use, they have accompanied me and pushed me down this lonely entrepreneurial path.         Finally, your five keys to success?     1. Patience - everything great takes time.

2. Plan & Build a Platform - think ahead, imagine the future so you can create it, contribute to the community so you can be part of it. This doesn’t take money, it takes creativity and energy.

3. Playing - make sure your work brings you joy and gets you so excited you dance around like a kid at times.

4. Publicity & Pitching - the greatest way to get publicity is to learn how to pitch.

5. The Pull of Positive Energy - you have the power to always react and engage positively, do it.   To read more stories about women in the service based industry click Idea Home Based Service Business   Sites Of Interest http://www.wymacpublishing.com/       This interview was published on 15th February 2009   Visit Nancy’s website to get more information about her self publishing book company business….   ]]> http://www.dotcommothers.com/self-publishing-book-company/feed/ http://www.dotcommothers.com/natural-baby-products/ http://www.dotcommothers.com/natural-baby-products/#comments Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:45:19 +0000 sandy.naidu http://www.dotcommothers.com/?p=938 My guest today is Lenie Ramos. Lenie’s business, Little Twig, sells natural organic baby care products. Since its launch, Little Twig has gone from strength to strength. It has a huge celebrity following as well. Read and Be Inspired !!!       What were you doing before starting ‘Little Twig’? What was the reason behind starting ‘Little Twig’? When did you start ‘Little Twig’?
    I started little twig in 2003 when I was in between careers. I was previously a graphic design in the television industry. I wanted do something different in my life that was positive to my family, community and environment. What turned me onto doing a children’s line was my niece. She was very sensitive to bubble bath. I bought her a mass produced product that my sister would not allow her to use because of the ingredients in them. I didn’t have children myself, so I was intrigued by my sister’s concerns. At that point I began doing my research and found that there was a need for a clean and fresh natural product for children.         What were a couple of main challenges you faced when you started out and how did you overcome them?
    When beginning my company I didn’t know what it took to start the company, what parent’s needed because I wasn’t a parent myself, and how to begin.         How does a typical day look like for you?
    I always begin my day spending some quality time with my family. I then start of my days doing company errands, post office then to the bank then to the office. As I sit down, I create my list of things to do as my employees begin to line up with questions. Each day I have goals to achieve, whether reviewing previous concerns, internal meetings, sales, or marketing. Depending on what the month is then my goals change. Overall, it’s always what our numbers are and making sure they are meeting our goals as a team.         What is the most rewarding thing about your business?
    The most rewarding part of my business is the ability to conduct business that makes a difference to our environment and our community.         You have stockists/distributors in many different countries. Plus a lot of online stores sell your products as well. If you can give one tip to moms who are trying to expand the distributorship of their products, what would that be?     My tip to other mothers, look for partners who believe in your values and grow with them.         What is one business tool you cannot survive without?
    One tool I can’t live without is my book of to-dos. I write down my goals for each day to keep me focused. With two kids, it’s always best to write everything down. I am sure most mom’s can relate.         Finally, your five keys to success?     - Find key employees you believe in.


- Hire slow fire fast


- Know your numbers everyday.


- Learn everything!!!


- Always evaluate each decision by cost, effectiveness, and return on investment.

  To read more stories about women in the baby care products industry click Baby Care Products Sites Of Interest http://www.littletwig.com/       This interview was published on 30th January 2009   Visit Lenie’s website to get more information about her business….   ]]> http://www.dotcommothers.com/natural-baby-products/feed/ http://www.dotcommothers.com/karen-mattison-small-business-ideas/ http://www.dotcommothers.com/karen-mattison-small-business-ideas/#comments Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:11:26 +0000 sandy.naidu http://www.dotcommothers.com/?p=925 My guest today is Karen Mattison of Women Like Us. Women Like Us connects mums who are looking to get back into workforce with the right employers. Since its launch in 2005, the company has been growing fast. It has helped thousands of women find suitable work. Karen and Emma (business partner) have established some valuable partnerships with schools and government agencies. These partnerships have been valuable for the growth of the company. In 2008 Karen was crowned the business mum of the year (in UK). Read and Be Inspired !!!       Can you tell us a bit about your business and how you got the idea to start this business?     Women Like Us – a multi-award-winning social enterprise - was founded in
2004 and supports women with children to find flexible work and helps employers source experienced, part-time staff.

The enterprise was conceived by myself and partner Emma Stewart when, as employers ourselves, both Emma and I were looked to employ part time support but really struggled to find the right candidate. Inspired by other employers facing the same dilemma, we began to look to the school mums around us and realised here were many potential employees - women wanting to return to work but who lacked the confidence or access to services to support them.

Recognising the hidden potential of this unique ‘school-gates’ network, we began to nurture the idea of an enterprise that could put employers in touch with these women, and provide both parties with the support they needed to make sure the relationships Women Like Us brokered were lasting ones. Once women register with Women Like Us they are able to access our coaching and recruitment services. These services provide a one-stop shop from coaching and referrals, to skills workshops, and ultimately the contacts and job opportunities to work both flexibly and locally - from school gates to salaries.

To date we have now supported over 6,000 women to return to work - a success which is underpinned by Women Like Us’ ability to match the right candidate with the right job.         What were some of the problems you faced in the start up phase?
    The biggest problem was probably the speed at which we grew when we were first setting-up. We had under-estimated the power of the school network and how fantastic women are at word-of-mouth PR! Before we knew it we had a continual stream of women registering with Women Like Us but we needed time to consolidate our systems, staff and ensure we had the right employers on board to match the women with.

We needed to keep our minds focused on our business plan and objectives and resist the temptation to let the business grow at such a rapid pace. And by doing this it wasn’t long before we could control growth at a more realistic, but still positive rate.         Did you ever want to give up?
    Because Women Like Us has grown so rapidly and this growth has been both exciting and challenging, there has never been time to even think about giving up! Also Women Like Us is doing something I feel so passionately about that I cant imagine a job I would love more. If ever I do have a bad day where I feel frustrated or over-loaded, I only need listen to a woman telling us of the difference her new job has made to her life and it all makes sense again, why I’m doing what I’m doing.         What is the most enjoyable part of your day?
    I think it’s that moment when I can change into a different gear – first thing in the morning, when the children are safely deposited in schools and childcare and I reach the office and get behind my desk. It’s like placing a different head on my body at that moment of switching on the computer – I’m back to being Karen Mattison, Business Woman and Mum as opposed to just Mum!        
What is the best advice you ever received about running a business?     My advice would centre around the actual setting-up of a business - and it would be to look at all the detail involved in running an actual business. Many people launch themselves in to business-planning by looking at the big picture only – the idea, the vision, the outcome. It’s essential whilst nurturing your dream into reality that you also consider all the detail that comes with it – for instance: who’s going to look after the children if you have to work evenings? Will you be able to exist if the first few years don’t yield a salary? Have you researched every aspect of your market? Ensuring you consider all the finer points will make for a smoother transition into becoming a business entrepreneur.         Have you got a couple of tips for mums looking to getting back into workforce?
    Think about both the skills and experience you had before you had children, but also, importantly, the skills you have gained by being a mum – there will be many that you hadn’t even realized you’d gained!

Consider how you would like to work and what would fit around your family lifestyle – what kind of hours? Would you prefer local employment? Do you want a career change or would you like to return to your previous employment.

If you’re looking for some guidance on confidence-building, honing skills or help with changing careers a great next step is to talk to a Career Coach – so it might be worth taking a look at womenlikeus.org.uk and seeing how we might be able to help you on your journey back to work!         Finally, your five keys to success?     Succeeding both running a business and being a mum is a huge juggling act – but one that can be incredibly rewarding and positively challenging. My tips for success as a mum in business would include:

• Network! Women are champions of communication, so use this to your benefit

• Ensure you achieve the right work-life balance that works for you

• Think creatively – don’t always seek a traditional solution to a problem

• Find a career or business idea where you best use your skills and where you can continue to develop professionally

• And lastly, be adaptable to change – as your children grow no doubt will your needs and your availability to work – continually re-asses what working lifestyle is right for you   To read more small business ideas click Idea Home Based Service Business   Sites Of Interest http://www.womenlikeus.org.uk/home.aspx     This interview was published on 15th January 2009   Visit Karen’s website to get more information about her small business ideas….   ]]> http://www.dotcommothers.com/karen-mattison-small-business-ideas/feed/ http://www.dotcommothers.com/creative-business-ideas/ http://www.dotcommothers.com/creative-business-ideas/#comments Sat, 03 Jan 2009 02:47:33 +0000 sandy.naidu http://www.dotcommothers.com/?p=907 My guest today is Ilene Segal. Ilene runs a company called baby idesign. Her company sells modern-meets-traditional stationery products for the baby and family markets. All the products are designed by Ilene. The products are absolutely gorgeous. Ilene started the company in 2004 and through her hard work and creativity, the company is now well established and growing from strength to strength. In 2007 Ilene won the the prestigious Make Mine A Million $ Business Contest for women entrepreneurs. Read and Be Inspired !!! I understand that you started out designing cards for your friends and then realized that there is a business potential. At this time you already had a successful full time career. Was it hard to take the plunge and start your own business? Based on your experiences, have you got any advice for women thinking of starting their own business but afraid to take the plunge?
    The truth is I went with my gut. I saw a huge opportunity and was ready for a new challenge in life. I didn’t think about all the difficulties, all the challenges and all the stressors of starting my own business. If everyone did that no one would ever launch. I think its about being ready and taking a leap of faith. I had been at this great job for almost eight years but I was bored. I needed something new and exciting, I was ready for the next step in my life and for me, that was starting my own business.

• Commitment: You can’t be afraid or resentful for the hard work your new business demands. I’ve made a lot of sacrifices, work long hours and have a hard time shutting off my business brain. But, ultimately its because I love what I do.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help: I try and surround myself with smart people who can do the things I can’t or don’t want to do. We’re not all great at everything and entrepreneurs tend to try and juggle it all. Realize that the more you can delegate, the more you can focus on your strengths, grow the business effectively and ultimately do the part that you love to do.

• Make sure you remember to enjoy what you do: I made a deal with myself that the minute this wasn’t fun anymore, I would stop. Sure, some days are better than others but you should always be excited about your business and the direction its going. I remember to laugh daily and not take things too seriously.

• Don’t give up: Starting a business is tough which is why most people don’t. Sometimes things will be great and other times you’ll get hit with things beyond your control. Find a way to keep your strength and move in a direction beyond your competition. One of the best little pieces of advice I ever received was “remember to zig when everyone else zags.”   To read more stories about women in the creative selling businesses click Idea Home Based Service Business   Sites Of Interest http://www.babyidesign.com/     This interview was published on 3rd January 2009 Visit Ilene’s website to get more information about her business…. ]]> http://www.dotcommothers.com/creative-business-ideas/feed/ http://www.dotcommothers.com/business-ideas-for-women/ http://www.dotcommothers.com/business-ideas-for-women/#comments Fri, 26 Dec 2008 22:40:31 +0000 sandy.naidu http://www.dotcommothers.com/?p=884 My guest today is Eve Ash. Eve Ash is a motivational psychologist, public speaker and leading producer of training films, videos and DVDs. She built her business from scratch and today her business is an award winning, multi million dollar company. In 1999, she won the national Telstra business woman of the year. Telstra Business Award is the peak business award in Australia. It is an absolute honor to have her here on DotComMothers. Read and Be Inspired !!! You started your business in 1979.You have won numerous awards and your products have sold well both in Australia and Internationally. I recently read that you have downsized your office space and your products have moved on from being stored on VHS.I also read in the same interview that you are very passionate and look forward to the future.Can you tell us a bit about what is next for your company? And also do you see any new opportunities being presented to you by this huge explosion in the ‘internet’?
    WE have sold a major part of our business - the Ash Quarry library of 288 titles to VEA (Training Point.Net an Australian company). My main company, Seven Dimensions, will continue to produce programs and this year has been busy producing the following new titles:

THE JOB INTERVIEW SUCCESS SERIES - with 14 DVDs to help job seekers SELECTION INTERVIEW SKILLS - 12 DVDs DIFFICLUT PEOPLE AND SITUATIONS - 5 new titles we are filming now

My own personal company Eve Ash Pty Ltd is producing a TV series called Family Secrets. And for VEA, the buyers of the Ash Quarry business, we have produced 18 new programs and will be filming another 8 new titles for them at the end of the year.

I also have another production company - called inhouse productions - and we are producing a sitcom and a mocumentary staring Mary-Anne Fahey.         If you had your time again, is there anything in business that you would do differently?
    YES - if I am made a good or reasonable offer I would accept it straight away rather than always thinking I MIGHT do better with someone else. And to recognise that an offer is tangible, although not perhaps what you wanted or believe to be the value, whereas a desired amount means nothing!         Not every business person succeeds in taking the business to the next level. Some business people aspire to take their business to the next level but continue to stay small.Do you think that the level of success of a business has something to do with the mindset of the person running it? If so, in your opinion what is one of the most common mindsets that unknowingly limits the growth of the company and how can we change it?
    MINDSET WORDS THAT CAN SET US BACK USUALLY FEATURE WORDS LIKE: “Maybe” “Possibly” “Later” What we need to do is focus on getting things done now and action words like “will do” “Make happen” “Now”.         If you can give us one quote that you live your life by, what would that be?
    “Just get it done!
- no matter how hard it feels - you will feel good when you have achieved the goal!”         In one of your articles you talk about how we can all learn to become positive thinkers (if we are not already one).Can you give us a couple of tips on how we can do this?     1. Recognise where you think negatively


2. Focus on what is good, what works, what feels right and what will make you happy


3. Stop reliving bad feelings, bad times, lack of results, wishing you had more/better etc


4. Tell yourself what you can do, why it is good for you, how to get yourself motivated


5. Take some action - even small - to clean up your act (mentally and
physically)


6. Do some exercise - it really does help to move you to a more positive place


7. Change a bad habit - eg leaving things for the last minute, being late, not dealing ith an avalanche of paperwork or emails


8. Enjoy what you achieve and stop punishing yourself for what you do not get done         What do you believe is your greatest business achievement (so far)?
    Surviving 30 years in my own business!         Finally, your five keys to success?     • Focus on what you want to achieve and be clear about your goals.

• Talk to wise people and tell them your plans and be open to critical feedback.

• Develop good relationships with staff, suppliers and clients.

• Be open and flexible to grab opportunities.

• Give and smile.   To read more about business ideas for women click Idea Home Based Service Business   Sites Of Interest http://www.eveash.com.au/     This interview was published on 27th December 2008 Visit Eve’s website to get more information about her business idea…. ]]> http://www.dotcommothers.com/business-ideas-for-women/feed/ http://www.dotcommothers.com/home-based-jobs-for-mothers/ http://www.dotcommothers.com/home-based-jobs-for-mothers/#comments Thu, 30 Oct 2008 02:22:04 +0000 sandy.naidu http://dotcommothers.com/?p=728 My guest today is Kate Sykes. Kate runs a website called CareerMums.com.au. This website connects skilled mothers to flexible employers. The website is only for the Australian market. If you are a mum and are looking for a part time job or a home based job or flexible work times then this is the website for you. Since its launch, CareerMums.com.au has been growing leaps and bounds in its popularity. It has become the first stop for many Australian mothers looking for a home based job or a part time job. Read and Be Inspired…       What were you doing before your current business venture? Why did you start CareerMums.com.au?

    I have always had a desire to run my own business. After 12 years in the corporate sector working in marketing and communications management roles in Sydney and Boston USA, and becoming mum, an idea sparked my interest. I subscribe to an enewsletter generated by www.springwise.com. This website searches the globe looking for new business ideas. In July 2006, I received a Springwise enewsletter that covered a website in the US that catered to women returning to work after taking time of out of the workplace to care for their children.

As a mother myself, I thought this was a great concept because I became aware of how much talent was going to waste. I immediately starting researching the Australian market and realised that there were no services like this. On further investigation and research, the following facts made it clear to me that there was potential in pursuing this business idea:     • There are over 2.2 million women with children under the age of fifteen (ABS data)
• There has been huge investment in women’s education in the last 20 years. Girls have a higher retention rate in year 12, and females now represent over 50% of all higher education students and tertiary education gradates.
• Women now account for just under half of Australia’s labour force (ABS data).

I viewed www.careermums.com.au as a portal to connect this untapped group of skilled parents to employers offering more flexible roles.         What are some of the challenges mothers returning to workforce or contemplating returning to workforce face?

    The top 3 challenges facing women who are re-entering the workforce include:

1. The cost of child care
2. Finding a flexible job
3. Lack of self confidence         Looking back, if you could have done something different in the start-up phase, what would that be?

    Nothing. This doesn’t mean that it has been smooth sailing. There have been many challenges and many steep learning curves - that is what it is all about. But to answer your question, I would have been more prudent in choosing an IT provider to build the back-end of my website. My design team was wonderful and so you instantly trust the choices they make in choosing a 3rd part provider to build the back-end. We should have been better armed with questions relating to their qualifications, competency and communication skills.         Do you think employer’s attitude towards creating a flexible work environment is changing? What are some of the things you normally do to educate the employers about the benefits of having a flexible work environment?

    Employer attitudes are changing mainly due to a national skills shortage and that women now account for half of the workplace. Many businesses are now winning national awards for offering their staff flexible work arrangements. Interestingly, a common barrier to working flexibly is not the industry but rather the personal views of a person’s immediate manager. The concept of flexibility is frequently misunderstood by employers. All it means is that work is not done during core business hours over 5 days. So a full time job can still be flexible with some of the hours being worked from home.

In addition the jobs board, CareerMums has launched two HR toolkits for employers over the past few months – the Working Parents Toolkit and the Flexible Work Proposal Toolkit. These products are assisting employers to implement attraction and retention strategies. Employers know where they need to be to harness the future workforce – these Toolkits are providing them with practical solutions to get there.         What is the most enjoyable part of your working day?

    It would have to be receiving emails and phone calls from parents thanking me for this service and helping them to find a flexible job. I never lose sight of why I started this service.         How do you balance raising family and running a business?

    Partnership and planning. I have a wonderful partnership with my husband. Everything is a team effort. We discuss where we are at and what is coming up all the time so we can manage the organisation of the children and work.

Also, because it is my business, I name my own hours. Nights can be very productive for working mums. It is amazing how many women are working and emailing each other after 8pm at night!         Finally, your five keys to success?         • Love what you do. Without passion, it won’t work.

• Be efficient with your time – don’t waste it.

• Have a support network around you – particularly if you have children.

• Have a healthy mind and a healthy body. Going for a run keeps my stress levels down.

• Patience and persistence. Children have taught me patience and it can bring clarity.   To read more stories about women in the service based industry click Idea Home Based Service Business   Sites Of Interest http://www.careermums.com.au/     This interview was published on 30th October 2008   Visit Kate’s website to get more information about how Kate helps mothers find part time or home based jobs….   ]]> http://www.dotcommothers.com/home-based-jobs-for-mothers/feed/