This week I'd like to introduce you to Vanessa Williams from First Aid 4 All. Based in Victoria, Vanessa is kept on her toes with two energetic little boys and a mobile business offering services I personally think is invaluable to any family... oh, and she is a little bit famous too!
1. Tell us a little about yourself and your business... Hi, my name is Vanessa Williams and yes my name is famous and no I cannot sing or act or have come anywhere close to winning a pageant! I do however have a passion for teaching, my beautiful men and life.
My business is 'First Aid 4 All' and it provides registered first aid training and now infant massage courses. The business is completely mobile which means it travels to the customer, whether it is at a work place or home. Everyone already knows how important first aid is, and how important it is to be up to date with the latest life saving techniques and advice for your precious little ones. 'First Aid 4 All' provides FUN, FLEXIBLE and MEMORABLE courses.
2. How did your business begin? After losing our home and house in the Kinglake bushfires we became pregnant with our second child. I think having a child or children is so life changing anyway that it makes you question your direction and priorities. I was already thinking about doing something new but still loved and had a passion for teaching. So I took a risk and began the process of starting my own business. I now teach adults in both first aid and baby massage and I love it!
3. The bits I love...
- empowering parents and grandparents with skills and knowledge
- being able to be flexible in my work hours
- the mental stimulation of having a small business
- meeting like minded women with a passion for what they do
4. The bits I not-so-love...
- not being able to turn my mind off at the end of the day and get a good nights sleep
- BAS statements
5. Any tips for other Clever Mammas? Be... Passionate, Positive and Persevere!
6. Now the important stuff, Devonshire Tea versus Coffee & Cake? Coffee and Cake for sure!
Thanks so much for stopping by the Clever Mamma Blog Vanessa! If you would like to get in touch and find out more about First Aid 4 All, visit her on the Clever Mamma Directory.
Our fabulous mumprenuer this week is Jayne Day from the online boutique Swish Lily. I don't know how she does it with not one, not two, but three gorgeous kids AND a business with such great personal service... Jayne, please let us in on your secret!!
1. Tell us a little about yourself and your business... I am a Mum to 3 children aged 8, 6 and 4, a wife and a Mumpreneur. I own and manage Swish Lily, an online boutique for Mum, Bubs and Kids. We offer a large range of products including nursery furniture, clothing, swimwear, sleepwear, maternity wear, breastfeeding covers, bedroom furniture and accessories.
2. How did your business begin? The business began when my 2nd child was a baby and I sold my partnership in another business I ran. I wanted a business that I could operate from home around my babies schedule but to also be able to offer top quality products at affordable prices to Mums.
3. The bits I love... I love the flexibility of the business and I love the challenge of learning new skills that has been required for a retail online business. I also love being able to offer a personal service to our customers and the constant feedback from customers saying how happy they are with the service we provide.
4. The bits I not-so-love... I don't think there is anything that I can say that I don't like about the business. I even enjoy the bookkeeping side of things.
5. Any tips for other Clever Mammas? Believe in yourself and in your business idea. Understand that it is extremely hard work but it is also very rewarding and satisfying. Don’t give up when the going gets tough as you only fail when you stop trying.
6. Now the important stuff, Devonshire Tea versus Coffee & Cake? Hmm, tea and cake!
It's been great learning all things Swish Lily! To sneak a peek at the stylish and affordable (yep, it's true!) products Jayne has to offer, find her over on the Clever Mamma Directory.
Today I would like to introduce you to Jo from AIROART in Victoria. A busy mum of 3, Jo makes gorgeous and unique hand stamped jewellery. If you're a bit fussy (like yours truly), Jo will make sure her custom creations are absolutely perfect. Fancy a bit of wandering around Melbourne's crafty markets? If you're lucky, you might just get to say hello in person.
1. Tell us a little about yourself and your business... I have 3 children and am a stay at home mum. I am blessed to be able to have a career, work around my children and run the household together with my beautiful husband. I have a studio which I design all my creations and love coming up with new things, designing exactly what my customer wants. My customers are the most important part of my work and I attend Fairy Floss Markets all over the suburbs, and a few others in the near future like Mulgrave Farmers indoor market.
2. How did your business begin? Eight years ago I lost my job at Ansett Airlines as a corporate travel consultant. I decided to stay home and have my dear children. I wanted to start working while staying home with the kids and follow my dream of jewellery making. It's now evolved into what I am today, a successful business owner!
3. The bits I love... My customers and designing new things to suit different people from all around the world. Also the feedback I get when people receive their first AIROART... some cry and some laugh... I just love what I do!
4. The bits I not-so-love... Juggling the workload and finding the balance between home and work. Wanting to always spend time with family. I would love to one day have a team of people, not just me, doing it all.
5. Any tips for other Clever Mammas? Follow your dream and make anything possible.
6. Now the important stuff, Devonshire Tea versus Coffee & Cake? Definitely coffee and cake... but if the tea came with scones, then tea it is!!
Thanks a bunch Jo for letting us in on all things AIROART! If you would like to get in contact with Jo and see more of her fabulous creations visit her page on the Clever Mamma Directory over here.
This week Sarah from Commerce Therapy has taken time out say Hi to the Clever Mamma community. Sarah's Far North Queensland household is a busy one with two beautiful girls under the age of four, two acres of land complete with fruit and vegies, and to top it off, a home based business! Is there anything this super Clever Mamma can't do?
1. Tell us a little about yourself and your business... I am the Director of Commerce Therapy, a boutique business to business service providing holistic business and virtual administration solutions. Our aim is to power-up your business through holistic individual solutions designed precisely for you! Our work includes business planning, policy development, staff management strategies, business coaching and so much more!
2. How did your business begin? Commerce Therapy was developed to service the needs of small businesses. I recognised that many consultancies are intimidating, in both price and approach. What small businesses need is someone to work with them to develop their business the way they see it and focus on where they want to go. More so people wanted a real person to work with them on real solutions, not just some computerised template that is used with every client. So came the birth of stress free business therapy.
3. The bits I love... working with all the inspiring small business owners, their passion is amazing!
4. The bits I not-so-love... having to put my girls in day care twice a week!
5. Any tips for other Clever Mammas?
> Keep your passion alive, don’t give up on what you want!
> Take each step as it comes and plan your business well.
> Set goals and stick to them, even if you start small, and write them down so you are more committed to them.
> Build a network of support around you, families, friends, business networks and connections.
> If you hire a professional, advice is good, but never lose sight that this is YOUR business, and YOUR direction, not theirs!
Oh so many tips I could go on forever.
6. Now the important stuff, Devonshire Tea versus Coffee & Cake? Without fail coffee, but no cake, my hips would not like me! Plus we have an excellent coffee machine which keeps my coffee addiction happy!
We truly appreciate you sharing a little about Commerce Therapy with us Sarah! To find out more about how this business to business service can help you, check out the full listing on the Clever Mamma Directory. And remember to stay tuned each week as there are more amazing women I can't wait to introduce you to.
This week I'd like to introduce you to Vanessa Williams from First Aid 4 All. Based in Victoria, Vanessa is kept on her toes with two energetic little boys and a mobile business offering services I personally think is invaluable to any family... oh, and she is a little bit famous too!
