Success Stories
from Home Based Businesses
Daniel Nitsche from school teacher
to business entrepreneur.
When Daniel Nitsche took off for Melbourne in 2004 as a newly qualified school teacher, little did he know that he would return to Perth five years later newly married and with a unique small business of his own.
Understanding construction drawings and being able to visualise what a building will look like from a plan is not something everyone can do, but with the help of Daniel’s new business Shadow Gap, clients can see exactly what their new home, renovation or commercial building will look like – well before work commences
Daniel established his architectural visualisation business as a home based business to keep overheads down and allow himself greater flexibility in service provision.
“This is a new industry, particularly in Western Australia, and I am combining technologies to provide a comprehensive service both direct to the client, and through architects as an add-on service,” Daniel said.
Although qualified in teaching, Daniel’s vast knowledge of computer graphics and animation has enabled him to effectively use a combination of software packages to provide photo-realistic 3D visualisations for the architectural industry.
“Whether the images are needed for planning approvals, design development or marketing, Shadow Gap can create a highly detailed product to suit the specific criteria of the project,” Daniel said.
But although he is a master of his craft, Daniel had some challenges starting his new business from scratch, in a City where he had limited industry contacts.
While searching on-line for some marketing tips, Daniel found the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) and called to make an appointment.
“When you’re just getting started, it’s incredibly helpful to have someone with 30 years experience giving you tips on effective marketing for your business.
“I had a face to face appointment with an SBDC adviser, followed by a two hour marketing workshop, and it has made an enormous difference to the way I was promoting my service,” Daniel said.
Shadow Gap is a niche architectural visualisation studio, providing visual renders of architecture. Using the latest rendering technology combined with low overheads enables Shadow Gap to deliver the highest quality product at very competitive prices.
Occupational therapists take a Positive Step
into self-employment!
When Kate Coghlan and Tamala Ranson left their hospital-based occupational therapy jobs early in 2010, it was to fulfil a long-held ambition to create a business of their own, providing care and rehabilitation for people in the comfort of their own homes.
Combining 25 years clinical experience in acute care, rehabilitation, disability, function, aged care and community care, Kate and Tamala have now launched “Positive Step” which brings occupational therapy to the client.
“We wanted the opportunity to run a successful business and make our own decisions,” Kate said.
“We saw a gap in the market for an occupational therapy service that was responsive and able to meet the needs of clients who want to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. Our aim is to provide treatment and rehabilitation to help achieve that.
Positive Step is registered with health funds to provide eligible clients with refunds, and receives referrals through public and private hospitals, general practitioners and clients’ families, but like most businesses, Kate and Tamala are looking to expand their client base.
“We are now increasing our marketing efforts to focus specifically on general practitioners so they are aware of our service and how useful it is for people who may be experiencing difficulty with their everyday activities,” Kate said.
Kate and Tamala recognised their need to know all about running the business, so cashflow, bookkeeping and taxation were high on the list.
“The workshops held at the Small Business Development Corporation were
absolutely fabulous,” Kate said.
“We did four or five of them in the early months and that answered all our questions about business planning and the early steps of getting started.
According to Kate, it has been very helpful being in business with someone else.
“It’s really good having someone to talk to about the business, how it’s going and where it’s going. We are lucky in that we share similar values and we support each other well.
Kate’s advice for others is to get the groundwork right from the beginning, and learn from those who know.
Making sense of marketing
Sherryn McBride
Sherryn McBride’s philosophy for successful marketing is all about connectivity – between brand, image, website, referrals and customer care, and that is what she offers clients through her home-based business Marketing Talk.
Established in 2001, Marketing Talk helps businesses make sense of their marketing and provides them with clever marketing ideas. Sherryn acknowledges that the majority of her client base is time poor but want to know the best strategy to market themselves, their products and services.“It’s great working with owner/operators because they are the decision makers and will either accept or reject your idea quickly, without lengthy approvals processes.” Sherryn said.
What makes Marketing Talk unique is that it is a mobile service, more personal and flexible than engaging a large corporate marketing agency.
After 25 years experience in a variety of business roles, Sherryn is able to identify first hand what works and what doesn’t work, and is happy to pass this knowledge on to her clients.
Sherryn believes that maintaining a positive attitude and constantly up-skilling to keep up-to-date with marketing and business trends has contributed enormously to her success with Marketing Talk.
“Working from home has its challenges. You can feel isolated at times, so that is why it’s important to network often with others in business,” Sherryn said.
“I serve on the committee of the local Chamber of Commerce and have been part of the SBDC home-based businesses network for quite a while now”.
“I have been to all six of the SBDC’s workshops this year and I like to attend all the useful seminars I can”.
“Meeting new people in workshops and seminars allows me to share ideas with others and develop new ideas, whether in marketing or in business”.
So how does a marketing consultancy business market its own services? According to Sherryn, certainly not through advertising!
Almost all of Sherryn’s clients have come through word of mouth referrals and repeat business. She credits her strong retention rate to being pragmatic with her clients and being ethical in the way she conducts her business.
“What makes Marketing Talk unique is that I can build upon my client’s strengths, enabling me to offer a more personal and flexible marketing strategy,” Sherryn said.
“I have built up strong relationships with my clients, working one-to-one ensures I can anticipate what they want”.
Sherryn also recognises the importance to plan and she has business, marketing and succession plans in place for Marketing Talk.
Sherryn finds that working in a small business with mostly small businesses is incredibly rewarding and empowering.
“Even though I work on a consultancy basis, I still feel like I am part of the team with all the businesses that I work with,” Sherryn said.
“Seeing my clients’ success is incredibly rewarding, I feel as though their success is my own success”.
Sherryn has been invited to be a guest presenter at the Small Business Development Corporation’s networking event “Putting Your Business on Centre Stage” being held in Perth on October 2008.
Paul’s cheeky idea is a winner.
Paul Morris
After 15 years in corporate marketing and advertising, Paul Morris knew there had to be something else for him. Then, Christmas 2006 brought Paul a cheeky idea.
It took 12 months of research, development and planning before Paul’s small business idea www.cheekyteez.com.au went online in December 2007. www.cheekyteez.com.au offers one-off or short-run custom printed t-shirts and clothes with cheeky slogans for people of all ages.
Customers order online, first selecting a size and colour. They can then choose a design from the online gallery selection or add their own text, photos or graphics through the purpose built ‘Preview’ editor. Due to popular demand the business has already expanded into corporate/promotional products.
Paul completed a full business plan as part of the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) requirement, which has allowed him to set specific business goals and targets and remain focused.
“I still constantly refer to this business plan to review the marketing and advertising activities outlined in this plan,” Paul said.
Paul has also had the benefit of a business mentor from the Stirling Small Business Centre. This helped him to be more flexible with his planning and look outside of the original plan for new markets and ideas.
“The ability to be flexible has allowed my business to enter into other profitable markets,” Paul said.
“The mentoring program provided by the Stirling Small Business Centre was invaluable in keeping my business on track”.
“Being able to share ideas, frustrations and problems as well as ask lots of questions meant I had a great feedback mechanism during the formative stages of my business,” Paul said.
Using the Small Business Development Corporation’s (SBDC) online resources and associated links to other government websites has also helped Paul with his initial business set-up procedures.
In the end Paul says, it has come down to sheer perseverance to overcome whatever business challenges have presented themselves.
“I have two small pictures in my office. One reads ‘perseverance’ and the other says ‘challenge’ and throughout my first year in business I have often looked at these pictures for inspiration,” Paul said.
Paul’s future plans for www.cheekyteez.com.au include developing the user friendly aspects of the website, expanding to a larger range of garments, styles, colours and other promotional items and continuing to build a reputable business based on a strong customer service ethos.
Interactive Arts
Fleur Allen
Fleur Allen always dreamt of owning her own business, but was constantly busy doing other things. Being at home with her newborn son gave her the opportunity to put her business plan into action.
With her background in the arts, first working as a music teacher and then with Western Australia Opera, a home based business that focused on the arts was the perfect fit for Fleur. Her business Interactive Arts was born.
Interactive Arts is an agency for a select group of artists, photographers, writers, designers and musicians. Fleur can provide artwork on a unique range of mediums, including as art, gifts and cards. In addition Interactive Arts can arrange functions, exhibitions, and offer staged events to meet specific client’s needs.
The motivation for Fleur to start her business was her desire to have greater flexibility in her work and to spend more time at home with her son.
“Whilst I was pregnant I did a lot of online shopping and was amazed at how easy and convenient it was. This really triggered the idea of having any business online”.
“Another advantage of having my business online is that it’s not geographically restrictive. I can do business anywhere in the world, provided it’s not an event-type function”.
Fleur said one of the down sides to having a home based business is isolation from others. However she enjoys the stimulation and camaraderie of the Home Based Business Network.
“Being online, making contacts and just meeting people online has given me a boost and I realise there are lots of people in similar situations to mine.”
Although Fleur loves working from home she has met some challenges in combining work and family.
“I now put my son in day care for two days a week. He is very active but I needed to be able to spend some dedicated time on my business. Children can be very demanding!”
In marketing Interactive Arts, Fleur has been looking beyond conventional methods and using free online business directories, using Google’s ‘AdWords’, experimenting with web marketing and approaching local retailers to create partnerships.
“I’ve learnt a lot in the past few months, and it’s good to be able to reflect back and realise what a long way I’ve come since I started.”
To develop the growth of her business, Fleur is planning one business trip a year to enhance and update skills and also keep up her motivation for the business.
“This February I’m going to Sydney to sell my cards and other products to retailers.”
Fleur sees the advantage in travelling early in the year to give her the opportunity to establish partnerships for the year to come.
Advice Fleur offered for anyone wanting to start a business was “Believe in your ideas and make sure you test them. Take feedback from as many people as possible. When you’re first starting out just persist with what you are doing. Be passionate, determined, and believe in yourself and what you are doing.”
The Original Wedding Company
Jenn Veza
The Original Wedding Company’s motto is “I do”.
On that Big Day, the last thing a bride wants to think about is whether the PA works and the champagne’s on ice.
So these are just some of the things Jenn Veza looks after through her home based wedding planning company, The Original Wedding Company.
The Original Wedding Company offers different wedding planning packages depending on clients’ needs. Jenn can organise the entire wedding, take care of the final two weeks, or be there on the day to see that everything runs smoothly while the bride and groom concentrate on – just getting married!
“I tell my clients at the very beginning I’m not ‘hire a best friend’, I provide a professional service,” Jenn said.
Before starting Original Wedding Company, Jenn spent twelve months investigating different small business options. With experience in events management Jenn was attracted to the idea of wedding planning.
“I’d worked in events in my previous job, so when I saw wedding planners, I was very interested to see what that would entail.”
Jenn did a lot of background research into wedding planning services, and compared overseas services with those in Australian and in Perth.
“I drew a lot of inspiration from wedding planners in the United States as they are miles ahead of what is available in Australia,” Jenn said.
“I looked for the opportunity to service a niche market in Perth which is how I came up with the idea of The Original Wedding Company.”
According to Jenn, one of the great advantages of working from home is being able to operate her own hours, meaning she can spend a lot more quality time with her children.
“With a home-based business I can be committed to my family while also fulfilling my ambitions and, of course, having an income is great too,” Jenn said.
In choosing a name for her business, Jenn sought feedback from a number of friends. The Original Wedding Company was the one that fitted best.
“I kept the name Original Wedding Company instead of limiting the service to just the planning phase,” Jenn said.
“In the future I would like to be able to do engagement parties and provide other services that all go towards making the wedding ceremony so special.”
Jenn says the secret to working from home and achieving a work/family balance is efficiently organising her time.
“At the moment I have fifteen weddings on my books for the next twelve months. Organising my work in advance is vital,” Jenn said.
Jenn is a great advocate for the Small Business Development Corporation’s business workshops, and attended a number of courses at the Midland Small Business Centre, including sessions on marketing and business planning.
Jenn says she has always had a business plan and updates it on a regular basis. She even looks at it once a week to make sure she is operating efficiently.
“I can’t do anything without a business plan!,” Jenn said.
“But it is a working document so it gets modified quite frequently as things change.”
Jenn advises up and coming home based businesses to do their research and talk to people in the industry including potential clients.
“Know your market, and educate yourself as much as you can.”
Poster Passion
Chris & Mike Goldberg
For some people, switching jobs is a challenge, but for Chris Goldberg, a Registered Nurse, and her husband Mike, leaving salaried positions to start a home based printing company was a gigantic leap.
Chris and Mike started Poster Passion fourteen years ago when an opportunity to buy large format printing equipment for a good price was an offer too good to refuse. Since then, this husband and wife team have owned and operated Poster Passion, with Chris concentrating on graphic design and printing while Mike is out on the road, taking care of sales and customer service.
Poster Passion specialises in designing and printing large posters, banners, fabric displays and floor graphics, and a range of finishing services including mounting and pop up displays.
When the Goldberg’s first considered Poster Passion, Mike discussed the idea with some of his current business associates.
“At the time, large format printing was quite new to Perth, but canvassing my associates proved there would be strong demand for printing posters and large graphics, if the price was right,” Mike said.
Mike and Chris were keen to get their new business off the ground, but didn’t think about developing a business plan. They admit that in hindsight they may have benefited if they had.
“But, the potential for failure has always been a big motivation point for us,” Mike said.
“At the back of our minds was the thought that if the business fails we’ll have to go back to our old jobs!”
Chris and Mike are quite disciplined in their time management, and prefer to work the more traditional hours of nine to five.
“Poster Passion doesn’t work like many home based businesses,” Mike said.
The decision to keep regular office hours like most other commercial businesses was in response to difficulties they encountered in the beginning with clients expecting them to be available at all hours of the day and night.
“Some people assumed they could turn up at night or on weekends to discuss their projects,” Mike said.
“At first we accommodated this to help build up our client base but it wasn’t long before we had to put a stop to it. It was just too difficult and we had to make sure we left time for a life too.”
Mike stresses that like any good business, they do make allowances for clients who have to travel long distances or in other special circumstances.
According to Chris and Mike, one of best things about working from home is not having the stress of driving in peak-hour traffic.
“We can walk out to our office at 9am, no cars or traffic jams, and when we want a break we can just go and sit in the garden,”” Chris said.
On the flip-side, Chris says she sometimes feels a degree of isolation working from home, but claims the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
Poster Passion primarily markets their business through word of mouth referrals and their website and Chris and Mike have attended numerous trade shows to network and learn about new trends and styles.
But a lot has changed in the printing industry since Poster Passion began and Chris has worked hard to keep abreast of the changes in printing technology.
In the future, the Goldbergs would like to grow their business to include employing additional graphic design staff to help develop and finish art work.
For anyone thinking about starting a small business, Chris and Mike’s advice is the “just go for it!”
“But make sure you’re passionate about what you are going to do, be prepared to work really hard and visit SBDC,” Mike said.
Errand Runners
Joanna Gilmour
How often has your day been so busy, that you’ve run out of time to pick up the shopping or the dry cleaning? Joanna Gilmour knows how that feels which is why she came up with the solution - her successful home based business, The Errand Runners.
The Errand Runners offers a range of services including; grocery and personal shopping or exchanges; dropping off and picking up dry cleaning, postage, banking, prescriptions, as well as showing visitors around Perth; waiting in for tradespeople; regularly calling in to check on homes and pets and watering gardens during holidays.
“I haven’t been asked to do anything too strange, but I state on my website that I won’t do anything illegal or dangerous so I think that’s a pretty good deterrent.””
Before starting The Errand Runners, Joanna had always been involved in accounts and office administration. As a result, she also provides services as an office temp to businesses around Perth.
Joanna started The Errand Runners in January 2007 after getting fed up with working full time and missing out on quality time at home with her children.
She moved from full time work to part time, where the idea for Errand Runners first emerged. She identified a potential market assisting busy full time workers or people restricted at home.
While considering her business, Joanna contacted the Small Business Development Corporation and signed up for six of the workshops.
“The workshops showed me how to create a business plan and gave me lots of other handy hints that I have used along the way,” Joanna said.
Joanna loves working for herself and really enjoys the flexibility that comes with it.
“One of the drawbacks of starting your own business is just getting your name out there and choosing how best to do that,” Joanna said.
Marketing has proved to be Joanna’s main difficulty in getting her new business off the ground with advertising not being as successful as she had hoped. Now, Joanna mainly relies on word of mouth recommendations from current clients.
According to Joanna, the speed networking event held by SBDC late last year was a great opportunity to get the profile of her business out into the business community.
“The speed networking event was great! I really enjoyed it and got quite a few calls to my business as a result. I hope there’s another one soon!” Joanna said.
In the future, Joanna would like to expand her business particularly as competition has started to emerge in the Errand Running industry.
Loaded Brush
Cellina Prosser
Imagine walking into a party filled with blank easels, painting implements and lots of music. Since April 2007 this has been the newest craze sweeping offices and parties around Perth, thanks to Cellina Prosser’s unique home based, “art jamming” business, Loaded Brush.
Cellina started her working life as a high school teacher and loved watching teenagers grow, learn and discover the secrets of life.
“I love providing opportunities for people to experience and learn for themselves rather than tell them what to do. With art jamming I get to sit back and watch adults go on a creative discovery tour,”” Cellina said.
This was one of the motivations for Cellina moving out of teaching into her own business.
Loaded Brush is an innovative new party idea which is proving popular with companies wanting to build teamwork and trust amongst employees, as well as individuals looking for that “something different” in party entertainment.
Cellina loves the freedom of running her own business from home; however she recognises that with that freedom comes great responsibility.
“Having my own business has taught me to manage time better and appreciate my health a lot more. When you’re working for yourself you can’t call in sick because there’s no one else to cover for you,” Cellina said.
Cellina established a large network of people who helped her set up her business. Through the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) she received some financial support but most importantly Cellina found a mentor and experienced people she could learn from.
Cellina set up a five year business plan and is already thinking of modifications that need to be made.
“A lot of people I spoke to had gone into business without a plan and had made so many avoidable mistakes. I started reading a lot of books and speaking with some really supportive, encouraging people before I made my plan,” Cellina said.
The most difficult barrier for Cellina to overcome was breaking into the Perth market with such a new business idea.
“I like to treat difficulties and problems in my path as interesting challenges,” she said.
But the isolation of running a business from home, particularly such a creative business, has been a challenge for Cellina.
“It’s hard not being able to bounce ideas off other people and I miss the human interaction of having people around,” Cellina said.
“The SBDC’s Home Based Business Network has been great in putting me in touch with other business owners online but I would like to meet them face to face a bit more often.”
Cellina says the only other downfall of having a home based business is not having a shopfront to promote the business.
The plan for Loaded Brush in the future is to expand, possibly interstate or at least to other locations throughout WA.
Cellina says she would one day like to organise an Art Jam session for interested members of the Home Based Business Network.
Lifelike Floristry
Gail Twomey
When Gail Twomey’s husband went to China, he was looking for a business venture for himself. Instead, he came back with a great business idea for Gail.
“The manufacture and sale of artificial flowers is big business in China, and the choice of floral styles is endless,” Gail said.
“There are artificial flower expos in China that extend to five storeys of exhibits, each floor more exquisite than the last.
“We could see great opportunities for this product in Western Australia, particularly in rural and regional areas where fresh flowers are hard to get,” Gail said.
To help with marketing ideas for her business, Gail attended the SBDC “Marketing Makeover” workshop and through a lucky sequence of events, won the mentoring services of Thomas Murrell, an international business coach, based in Subiaco.
“Working with Tom was just the motivation I needed to get on track with my business planning,” Gail said.
“Tom explained the importance of writing everything down, keeping a business journal and continually updating my business plan.”
Tom says he admires Gail for her professionalism and her desire to get things right.
“Gail has a very good product and with her strong sales background, I’m sure she’s going to do well in her new business,” Tom said.
Lifelike Floristry commenced operations on 30 July 2007, with a customised van that doubles as a mobile showroom for the wholesale/retail business. With the help of other home based business operators Gail met through the SBDC’s Home Based Business Network, Lifelike Floristry now has business cards and a website to help market her products.
Gail is planning to make regular trips to regional centres throughout Western Australia to market her floral arrangements, particularly for special occasions such as weddings.
“We’ve identified our target markets and organised reliable supply and distribution channels which are all important to the smooth running of the business,” Gail said.
As well as travelling throughout the State, Gail is looking forward to going back to China on regular buying trips.
“There’s always been an element of travel in my past jobs, so I’m looking forward to getting out to places like Broome in the north and Esperance in the south,” Gail said.
Gail is quick to clarify that while her business is home-based, it is not a hobby. She and her husband have plans to grow the business to include selling by party plan and franchising further outlets.
deseos design
wilma van boxtel
Wilma van Boxtel started her freelance design business in 2004 after migrating to Western Australia from the Netherlands.
With 15 years industry experience in Europe, Wilma recognised that the WA furniture market was too small to employ in-house designers, but she saw an opportunity for commercial design.
She based her business, Deseos Design, at her home in Swanbourne.
“On a freelance basis I design bedroom, living, dining and outdoor furniture, mostly in natural materials such as jarrah, marri, karri, sheoak and pine,” she said.
“I am also teaching a computer-aided design (CAD) course at Curtin University.”
Wilma said the greatest challenges in developing her business were building up a network of contacts and the time spent getting to know the ‘ins and outs’ of each company she works for.
She has, nevertheless, been proactive in developing professional networks. Immediately upon starting her business she joined the Furniture Industry Association of Australia (FIAA) and developed her website, which features a portfolio of her work.
Through her networks, she was given the opportunity to exhibit at the Furnitex Furniture Fair in Melbourne in 2004.
After hearing the Small Business Development Corporation’s Home Based Business Network advertisement on the radio, she became a member. She has participated in the network’s interactive online forum and attended the ‘word of mouth marketing’ function in April 2005.
“At the HBBN function, the presenter suggested sending an e-newsletter to stakeholders, which I have since done. I publish a quarterly newsletter in which I include industry trends, observations and achievements.”
Wilma is currently working on furniture design for ‘larger’ people and is developing a line of nursery furniture.
Her future plans include continuing to develop the Eastern States market and expanding into Asia, particularly China. She may also offer a student placement to students from her alma mater, the Academy of Industrial Design Eindhoven in the Netherlands.
section enterprises
cindy poole
Cindy Poole says her motivation to develop a business from her home in Esperance was largely driven by lifestyle.
A former physical education teacher, Cindy’s business — Section Enterprises — began with the sale of leadlight picture frames and now includes glass homewares, jewellery and corporate awards.
“My very first leadlight picture frames were so well-received by family and friends that I saw an opportunity to develop my ideas and create a niche gift market,” Cindy said.
“I welcomed the idea to have flexible working hours and be based at home so I could care for the anticipated arrival of children,” she said.
“With the assistance of Esperance Business Enterprise Centre (BEC), I registered my business in 1995 and developed a business plan which shaped my creative ideas into realistic goals.
“I love being a home-based business. I have flexibility and control over what’s happening in my life. I can make myself available to help out at my children’s school or go for a swim during the day.
“The disadvantage has been getting people to acknowledge my business as viable and professional.
“I’m breaking down those perceptions, but it has been challenging. Winning the Esperance Chamber of Commerce & Industry Home Based Business Award in 2003 and 2004 — and being a finalist in the Small Business Development Corporation’s (SBDC) WA Regional Small Business Awards — has greatly helped my business.
“This year the business is my top priority. I plan to develop it to the point where it provides a full-time income for me and provides employment for a part-time staff member.
“Specific goals include further developing my jewellery range, establishing a distribution network in Perth and pursuing corporate accounts for my award designs.”
Through the SBDC, Cindy became a member of the Home Based Business Network and accessed a copy of the Home Based Business Kit.
Through the general SBDC website, she found out about the Department of Industry and Resources regional industry assistance scheme and was successful in applying for a small capital grants fund.
“I’m using the grant money to purchase a larger kiln and streamline my gallery storage and workstation,” Cindy said.
Wares on sale at Section Enterprises include kiln-fired glasswork, glass mosaics, glass sculpture, complementary clay art, leadlighting, copper foiling giftware and water features. Private and corporate artworks can also be commissioned.
PCGURU
Jason and Trish Jordan
Jason Jordan, the ‘guru’ of his business, PCGURU, says he would not want to work anywhere other than from home.
Giving up a six-figure salary job with one of the country’s leading resource companies to start a home based IT business, he says he has never gained so much enjoyment out of a job.
His business provides service and support for small to medium-sized businesses and home users. The service is provided 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
While Jason concentrates on technical issues and marketing, wife Trish is in charge of administrative duties.
The business includes a management team, chartered accountant, business coach and up to six sub-contractors.
PCGURU has a strong customer service focus, including a commitment to explaining IT in plain English and a friendly and timely approach to service.
An added commitment to customer service is the promise that if a problem is not fixed, Jason will attend and resolve it personally.
“To me, there are four main advantages of operating a business at home,” Jason said.
“Spending time with my family (he and Trish have three children under the age of four), low overheads, security of the business premises and flexibility in my day,” he said.
“The busiest times for me are between 7am and 9.30am , then just before business closes, then again after dinner.
“I work long hours, but I have plenty of time with my family, and that’s important to me.
“Having good contacts in the industry has helped the business grow, but so too has the networking opportunities provided by joining the local chamber of commerce.
“Networking is a good investment in time and I would say it has helped our business grow at a rate 50 per cent faster than I would have expected.”
Jason said the only disadvantage of operating a business from home is others’ perceptions of professionalism.
“I always try and minimise household noise when I am on the phone, but sometimes I just tell my clients that my children are in the office,” he said.
Recognising the growth of PCGURU means renting office space is inevitable, Jason plans to share business premises with a complementary business.
In the meantime he has been recruited by a television station to present a local IT program.
PCGURU won the Small Business Development Corporation Best Home Based Business Award in the Local Chambers Bartercard Commerce & Industry Awards 2004.
David Hack Design
David Hack
David Hack says flexibility and doing something he feels passionate about are the two greatest aspects of operating his own business.
He started his graphic design business, David Hack Design, in April 2004. He is also studying a Bachelor of Business at Edith Cowan University.
“Small business is great because it increases your experience, skills and knowledge,” David said.
“The nature of my business is flexible, so I can fit it around my studies and the rest of my life,” he said.
“I operate my business from home and that’s a good match with graphic design because clients typically want me to visit them at their office. There is little need for a ‘shop front’, so to speak. “This business provides me with a creative outlet to develop my business skills, make money and have fun during my studies.”
David said the greatest challenge in the first few months was cash-flow. Because he has fixed operating costs, it has been a case of building up his client base in order to generate greater profits. “Because I operate from home, I have to rely more on advertising to raise my profile. A home-based business address could suggest to clients that I am not an ‘established’ business, but that can be an advantage because my clients know they won’t have to pay ‘established’ rates,” he said.
“My two-year goal is to have a client base so strong that I don’t need to advertise. “In five years I expect to be finished with this business and moving onto greater things.”
David first learned about the Young Business Network from the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) website. As part of the YBN membership attractions, he received a discount to attend SBDC’s workshop on business planning.
Publisher
June Thom-Allan
Not many micro business operators can claim to serve a global market from their home-based office. But that's the reality of West Australian business woman June Thom-Allan and her multi-award winning publishing business, Readers' World.
Born in Scotland, June worked for Aer Lingus (Irish Airlines) in London before migrating to Perth in 1988. She formed Readers' World magazine in April 1997 to offer an outlet for unpublished new writers in WA.
June sought start-up business guidance from the Small Business Development Corporation and has received ongoing guidance from the North-West Metro Business Enterprise Centre.
"Publishing Readers’ World magazine was a complete change of career path for me as well as a tremendous learning experience," June said.
"I have published the works of more than 2,000 aspiring writers from across Australia and around the world."
Her success is evident from her many business awards, including the 1999 Edith Cowan University Business Person of the Year Award (North West Metro Business) and the 2000 and 2001 title of Best WA State Small Business Award - Salespeople with a Purpose.
She was also a finalist in the 2001 Telstra Western Australian Business Women's Awards and won the 'Women in Business' category of the 2001 Micro Business Awards.
In her desire to further assist talented yet unknown writers around Australia, June founded Indian Ocean Books. This book publishing arm now has 40 books and seven anthologies to its credit, with many more in the pipeline.
The publication of her book ‘How to Write Right’ led to the further expansion of her business. Her creative writing workshops - ‘Words on Wheels’ - involve June travelling to metropolitan centres and country towns to deliver writers' workshops.
June attributes her business success to the fact that she has often chosen the ‘road less travelled’.
"The limits for the progression of the magazine and publishing service are endless," June said.
Cards with a View
Meagan Gardiner
Great business ideas can come from the most unlikely places.
Tiny works of art have proved to be big business for York woman Meagan Gardiner who turned her card-making hobby into a profitable venture.
Meagan was working as a high school teacher when she began making wildflower cards at home in her spare time. It was not long before she established a part-time business, "Cards with a View".
She soon found that demand for the miniature wildflower pictures was booming. Meagan expanded her range to include refined pieces in the form of very small shadow boxes containing tiny seashells and wildflowers.
Her business grew quickly and she was soon faced with the problems success brings with it: working around the clock; and the need for finance to expand.
"A friend recommended that I talk to someone at the Northam Business Enterprise Centre to find out what direction I should take with my business," she said.
"I met with the local Business Enterprise Centre manager and we discussed all aspects of the production of my art and how to make the business work more efficiently. I now outsource the wooden frame-making to a local person, which means I have more time to concentrate on the creative side of my business."
Press for Success / Design Mergers
Jill Yelland
Jill Yelland is a true home-based business success story.
She first began her home-based business in 1980, at a time when the sector was struggling to be taken seriously. Starting her first business at home in North Sydney, she has also worked at home in Fremantle and now, East Perth.
She operates two businesses at home – a publishing company called ‘Press for Success’ and ‘Design Mergers’, a business designing corporate art works and gifts in glass and serigraphic prints. “I also lecture in business and marketing at the School of Wood in Dwellingup,” she said.
The original motivation for working from home was to avoid doubling up on overheads, but it has since become a lifestyle choice. Jill first contacted the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) about 15 years ago and, since then, has sought guidance on business planning, marketing and debt recovery.
Continuing her relationship with SBDC, she has presented seminars on operating arts and crafts businesses and marketing for home-based businesses. Furthermore, she takes her arts business and marketing students through SBDC — and other agencies such as the Australian Taxation Office and the Department of Industry and Technology — so they can learn about the range of services offered.
Jill said operating a business at home was difficult at first because she struggled to keep her personal life separate from her work life. “I got chronic fatigue syndrome before I learned to keep a balance between the two,” she said.
“One of the keys to operating a business at home is being able to shut the door to your office/studio. “My husband and I both have home offices and we enjoy the flexible lifestyle it provides. “We take breaks when we want to and work longer hours — and weekends — when we need to.
“We’re lucky that our friends and family respect our work choice and tend not to drop in unannounced or even phone during work hours. “Having an address in a ‘business suburb’ has certainly added to the credibility of my businesses,” Jill said.
