This week we head north to the Gold Coast and have a chat with the lovely Helen Goodman from Invisible Business Solutions. Helen works alongside her hubby to provide biz mums with the services they need for success. Be sure to check out their new "School Hours Business Mums Networking Group" too. Such a great networking opportunity, I only wished I lived closer... although a trip to the Gold Coast does sound tempting!
1. Tell us a little about yourself and your business… I am a wife, and mother to two boys, who love their footy (massive Titans fans) and the beach! My husband and I have created Invisible Business Solutions to provide business mums with the services they need. We focus on workshops for business mums that are innovative, interactive and fun! And give you the recipe for success to take away! We also offer consultancy in business analysis, the best graphic design solutions to build your brand, print management to ensure you get quality print material at a price you can afford, and eBrochures (which make your brochures interactive!). Our first "live" workshops are on the Gold Coast in January & February so we are booking now to make business mums 2013 the best year.
2. How did your business begin? We started Invisible Business Solutions to offer our services to business mums. We moved to the Gold Coast and it became impossible for me to commute to my part time job, which I had begun to dislike for a great many reasons, not least of which that we felt we had more to offer. I wanted to go out there and share 20 years of management accounting and business analysis knowledge, and Paul has the Creative talent to cost effectively build a great brand for business mums. So Invisible Business Solutions was born! Why Invisible Business Solutions? We are invisible to your clients, we offer the services and experiences that make your business succeed. Its what we add... that you take away!
3. The bits I love… We have it covered… I love the "numbers" things and Paul is the creative - together we make a great team!
4. The bits I not-so-love… Being in business is a long road, and can be challenging as well as rewarding. But now we have the business we want, there are not so many bits not to love. Everything is a step towards our goals!
5. Any tips for other Clever Mammas? Be confident in yourselves, we can make a valuable contribution, but lets not apologise for our mummy status and the fact that we choose to balance our work aspirations with our family lives. We only hold our children for such a short time, they should be enjoyed and given the attention they deserve! I also think it's important to recognise when we need help in an area, we seek out an expert and get the help we need (and the knowledge too).
6. Devonshire Tea versus Coffee & Cake??? Having grown up in England and migrated to Australia almost 10 years ago now, I would have to say that I am a Devonshire Tea lady! But Devonshire teas are for the afternoons! In the mornings I am very happy with coffee!
Helen, it's been an absolute pleasure getting to know you and your fabulous biz better. Be sure to let me know when your networking groups come down to Melbourne as I will be first on the list! Now loyal readers, you can find Helen's direct contact details here on her listing on the Clever Mamma business mum directory and be sure to find her on Facebook and Twitter too (deets on her website). Do you and your biz a favour and make 2013 the year your business moves forward with Invisible Business Solutions. Oh, and be sure to let her know that Clever Mamma sent you :)
This week I have the pleasure of introducing you to Clever Mamma Heidi Helyard from Bluewood Studio. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, Heidi is a super-talented Graphic Designer who manages her business with two gorgeous littlies to keep her company.
1. Tell us a little about yourself and your business... I am a graphic designer with over 13 years experience, graduated with a Bachelor Degree (1st class hons) from UNSW and have worked in cultural institutions as well as corporate studios. I specialise in print design, including logo, stationery, brochure, document and book design. I am obsessed with typography and fonts.
2. How did your business begin? It began a little over 8 years ago when I started to get hammered in the corporate sector. It was brutal. I was about to get married and had my eye on the prize of wanting children and really wanted to work from home. I went from the full-on corporate job to a magazine job which was terrible, so three days out from my wedding, I quit with the intention of going freelance through some agencies while I built up my client base. I ended up not having to do on-site freelancing as I obtained some clients quite quickly. This was in 2003. My daughter was born in 2007 and my son was born in 2009.
3. The bits I love... Not having to put up with other annoying people in an office (can you tell I've worked with some doozies?). Working around the kids and not having to put them in daycare super early in their lives.
4. The bits I not-so-love... When clients don’t understand about being flexible and hearing kids in the background. Fortunately not too many of those. When I REALLY want/need to get on with work and I can’t because of the kids.
5. Any tips for other Clever Mammas? Don’t be afraid or feel guilty about getting help with the kids. I have done a mix of in-house babysitter/nanny, Family Day Care (even just half a day!) and now pre-school with my daughter. If you are working you usually need help with the kids!
6. Devonshire Tea versus Coffee & Cake??? Coffee (for the wake up) and cake (for the sugar).
Thanks for stopping by the Clever Mamma blog Heidi! It's been great getting to know you and your business a little better. If you would like to find out more about Bluewood Studio, be sure to sneak a peak at the listing on the CM Directory. You will find more details plus a link to Heidi's website where you can view her amazing folio and also download a free 'Pigment to Pantone' 2012 calendar. What are you waiting for, go on... hop to it!
Our fabulous Clever Mamma this week is the very talented Dannie Cincotta from DCD. Based in Melbourne and mum to a beautiful boy, Dannie can help provide creative and affordable design solutions for your business and personal needs. From corporate branding to novelty designs and canvas art - DCD has it covered!
1. Tell us a little about yourself and your business... I come from a creative family and have always had a pen/brush/mouse in hand, so it was only natural that I got into design. I am married to a brilliant man and have a 19 month old son who melts my heart everyday (when I'm not pulling my hair out, haha). I am a qualified graphic artist and after having worked in various types of studios over the years, I decided to start DCD.
2. How did your business begin? I was hesitant at going at it alone at first, always asking myself 'what if?' But most of my family are self employed and I knew it was right for me. When I fell pregnant, I realised I wanted to always be available for my family and spend as much time as I could with my son, so working from home allowed me to have the best of both worlds, to do what I love and be a full time Mum too. I prepared everything for DCD during my pregnancy, so that I could jump straight into work soon as I was ready. When my son was 3 months old, my Hubby found a couple of design jobs for me, which turned into a handful. So, with one hand rocking the bassinet, the other on the mouse... DCD was up and running and with great thanks to a supportive and understanding Hubby!
Having a home studio is perfect for DCD as I have 24/7 access to work, so clients know I can get to anything urgent, quickly. I can get dinner ready while making PDFs and my son knows I'm always around for him. Majority of jobs are branding (logos, stationery, promo material), invitations and photo restoration. Canvas art is becoming quite popular too now, they make great gifts for family and friends.
3. The bits I love... The freedom of working from home and multi-tasking, own hours and schedule, knowing that I'm not just a mum, that I'm contributing to society, being able to help clients and give them old fashioned service.
4. The bits I not-so-love... Paper work!, clients that take their time to pay, sometimes having to start work after midnight.
5. Any tips for other Clever Mammas? Don't leave for tomorrow, what you can do today... I live by it!
6. Devonshire Tea versus Coffee & Cake??? Coffee and chocolate cake, and coffee, and coffee...
So for any help with your graphic design needs Dannie is the one to call! You can find her details on the DCD listing on the Clever Mamma directory as well as further info about her services. Thanks for spending some time with us Dannie and letting us get to know you and your business a little better :)
