Stories and Tips from Small Business Owners
Why am I so drawn to small businesses? It's like the business is human itself, with personality and passion to boot. Small businesses have a soul and it is inextricably linked to the owner. They are run by our friends, family, or that neighbour you see and wave to in the street. Owners will tell you while making a financial return is important, meaningful success is measured in a plentitude of other ways. It's supporting the community, building local relationships, getting out in the local environment, kicking personal goals, and many more.
The stories of small business owners are fascinating and insightful. Let them tell us why they pursued their passion, what challenges they faced, when they failed, what they learnt and how they reached success. We can learn from those who walked the path before us.
Are you thinking of starting your own small business? Do you know the challenges that lie ahead? How will you stay motivated and who will support you? I hope these stories will inspire and assist you.
Interviews with business owners from Sydney’s Northern Beaches
While managing WoManly Community in 2020, a networking and support group for women in business on the Northern Beaches, I interviewed members about their professional and personal journeys.
Northern Beaches local Julie Crespel, has a career spanning 20 years as a freelance photographer in advertising, fashion and editorial, and was part of the Bauer Media photography team (previously ACP Magazines) for 6 years. We chat why she loves freelancing, her all time favourite photo and her side project that sprouted out of COVID lockdown. Check our her amazing work at @roamprints and @juliecrespelphotography
Following an extensive career spanning the corporate, consulting, government and not for profit sectors, Pauline Mueller now has her own business as a Career Innovation Coach. At the peak of her career success, she began to think deeper about her values and how aligned they were to her roles. “Who was I? What were my values? What did I enjoy? What were my responsibilities?” Now Pauline shares her experience as a practicing lawyer, coach and mother with others who are figuring out their journey. www.paulinemueller.com.au
Journalist, Content Creator, Copywriter and Editor. Alexandra Vanags' 15-year career has taken her from London to Sydney and several places in between. She has done everything from interviewing high-profile sources about exciting M&A deals to writing blogs on behalf of CEOs. Alex takes us through her journey from finance journalism where she transformed complex data into something interesting to read, to the healthcare sector and now "finding the story in the jungle" to showcase the expertise of small businesses. www.alexandrav.com.au
With a background of over 20 years of experience in providing senior executive support in many fast paced corporate environments, Patricia Villella now has her own successful business as a Virtual Personal Assistant. We chat why Patricia transitioned to having her own business, why it was a daunting change, and the biggest lessons she's learnt since becoming a business owner. www.pvassist.com.au
Luisa Manfredini is a small business owner/principal architect at MM&J Architects and founder of WoManly Community. Through our chat I discover Luisa's secret skillset for fixing locks, cleaning bricks and building letterboxes. She was destined to become an architect and ran her business solo for several years until it was going so well that she joined with her partner to manage the workload. Luisa reflects on the experience of being connected to the local business community and how this supported her to run a business. www.mmjarchitects.com.au
Angela Counsel is a woman to learn from. She's owned multiple successful businesses over her career, is a health practitioner, has written a book and produces the Wise Women Conversations podcast. Now a Menopause Coach, I meet with Angela at our "outdoor office" by Narrabeen Lagoon, to discuss her talent for putting together the jigsaw puzzle of women's health. She is passionate about breaking down the taboo of discussing menopause and changing the conversation into a celebration. It was a personal experience that spurred Angela's transition from the corporate world to women's health and she shares it with us here. angelacounsel.com
Jill Healy-Quintard was named Top 3 in the 2020 Group Fitness Awards by Fitness Australia and Top 5 in 2019. She lives and breathes her passion for human movement through her business Body and Balance Fitness and Wellness. You will know what I mean if you have been to Jill's TribalGroove Fusion class! Jill is a seasoned small business owner, running multiple small businesses over her career in Australia and France. We get to the crux of successful business, about building meaningful relationships with clients and sharing with them the "why" behind your business. bodyandbalance.com.au
In my first Facebook Live interview, I spoke with Leadership and Performance Coach, Nicole Torrance. We discussed the challenging task of coaching individuals to speak up and express their authentic opinions when working in teams. Nicole shares with us tools to effectively share your perspective - now you see where the business name Perspektivs sprouted from. With a deep understanding of how introverts and extraverts derive their energy, Nicole explains who might be thriving and who is suffering due to COVID-19 lockdown in the first half of the year. www.perspektivs.com.au
Are you reading up a storm?
Check out these titles that entrepreneurs swear by. They’re full of guidance to assist you on your journey, realise your purpose, develop yourself as a leader and generally help you in life!
The Lean Startup - Eric Ries
The Lean Startup is viewed by many in the startup ecosystem as "the bible". It suggests a method for developing ideas to build and manage startups, backed up by diverse business case studies and practical ways to implement. It is an essential read for any startup founder that you should fill with highlighter, scribbled notes and dog-eared pages.
Conscious Marketing - Carolyn Tate
Drawing on the values of the ‘slow’ and ‘conscious’ business movements, Conscious Marketing will help you build a business that can grow your bottom line and serve the community. Take a leaf out of this book, look at business from a different perspective - let’s build companies that are prosperous and purpose-driven to make the world a better place.
The 100-Year Life - Lynda Gratton & Andrew Scott
If we are going to live roughly 100 years, than the traditional 3-stage life of past generations is just not going to work for us. This book takes you through the possibilities and opportunities for work, education, money and relationships presented in a multi-stage life. This is a book I wish I had read years ago.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck - Mark Manson
I keep coming across this title in the bookshelves of friend’s homes. The ideas are confronting and presented to you in a straight up, no-nonsense but amusing manner. These practical suggestions for deciding what is important and unimportant in life serves as a great conversation starter over dinner.
7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen R. Covey
This book helps you realise you are in control of your own feelings and the path you take. The author endeavours to put into perspective how things and people are, and why you should understand this before you decide to apply preconceived assumptions.
Zero to One - Peter Thiel
A ground-breaking and thought-provoking book on innovation and what it takes for a new company to prosper, from the co-founder of one of the most successful tech start-ups in history.
How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
A great general development book that can help you succeed in entrepreneurship, work and job-searching, relationships, leadership and general life. Beyond that, there’s quick and easy tips to help you get out of a mental rut, boost enthusiasm within your team effectively and win more clients.
Additional resources for successful businesses:
Managing your mental health - Small business resources from Beyond Blue
Inspiration for your ears.
Have you got a business idea or are you still deciding? Listening to these podcasts are a great way to learn from others in super short and snappy episodes.
How I built this - Guy Raz
How I Built This makes mention to the hardship and dedication of founders, giving insight into certain industries, methods of expansion and overall commitment required to make a company.
The Startup Playbook - Rohit Bhargava
If you're starting a business, there's an overwhelming amount of things you need to be doing! From strategy all the way to minute details. Sometimes I find it impossible to find the time to get good advice or insight into improving the way I work, when all of these other priorities are circling me. Listen to this podcast to eavesdrop on other founders’ ups, downs, learnings and tips.
Startup Creative - Kaylene Langford
Kaylene touches on so many topics that relate to the founder journey but aren’t always talked about - dealing with road blocks, overcoming imposter syndrome, developing morning routines.
Under The Skin - Russell Brand. #138 Become Awake Now! (with Eckhart Tolle)
A thought provoking discussion about life.
Unlocking Us - Brené Brown. Glennon Doyle on Untamed.
If your confidence needs a kick-up the ass this motivational conversation is for you.