Envirolab ServicesKabukiuAmbiance ElectricalDestination StyleMammoth MerchandiseRecovery StationWild Women on Top
Envirolab Services
Tania Notaras established Envirolab Services in 2005. The company is a testing laboratory which analyses soil, water, air and asbestos samples. The laboratory's 17 full-time staff and several casuals form a strong team supported by technology well ahead of the industry standard.
Envirolab Service's vision statement articulates the firm's philosophy and direction:
"Our vision is to provide uncompromising technical and service excellence, delivered promptly, to every client at every contact. To support this vision we will build a high performance culture based on continual technological innovation, individual respect, strong family values and the personal touch."
"Our vision is to provide uncompromising technical and service excellence, delivered promptly, to every client at every contact.
To support this vision we will build a high performance culture based on continual technological innovation, individual respect, strong family values and the personal touch."
Before starting the company, Tania - a qualified scientist - worked for large corporations where finance, marketing and human relations were handled by head office. Tania knew she needed to find additional skills in order to manage the rapidly growing business.
Being part of the Women in Business Mentor Program proved a great opportunity. Tania was paired with a fantastic mentor who provided level-headed guidance and encouragement and acted as a professional sounding board, which allowed her to talk freely about any business issue.
The Women in Business Mentor Program offered practical assistance across the many diverse aspects of owning and operating a business.
The Program gave Tania access to experienced business people.
Her mentor understood her situation, knew the type of help she needed and, importantly, where to find it.
The Women in Business Mentor Program provided Tania with the expertise and support she needed to take the business to the next level.
One major outcome was a critical decision not to expand too rapidly. Had she proceeded as planned, the firm would not have been able to handle the robust sales growth it eventually experienced.
Tania unreservedly recommends the Women in Business Mentor Program to any small business owner.
ContactWomen in Business Mentor ProgramPhone: 9338 6750Email: first@business.nsw.gov.auWebsite: www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au
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Kabukiu
Telina Webb handcrafts and retails kimonos through her business, Kabukiu.
Though passionate about her product, Telina felt she needed a fresh perspective on commercial expansion and decided to participate in the Hunter Women in Business Mentor Program. Her mentor was Sandra Coburn of Puzzle Precision. A former program mentoree herself, Sandra had first-hand experience of successfully growing her electronic assembly business from a home base.
Step one together was to explore what was required to take Kabukiu to the next level. “Sandra was fantastic,” says Telina. She didn’t direct me but asked lots of questions so I could come up with the answers myself.” Telina now has a set of growth strategies in place with which she feels comfortable. “I reassessed my role and identified functions I could outsource - something I am now looking to do.”
Other positives from participating in the Women in Business Mentor Program included an increase in exposure, which has in turn led to higher demand and turnover. “A new marketing opportunity emerged, specifically taking part in fashion parades. My beautiful kimonos now have exposure in additional markets,” explains Telina.
Ambiance Electrical
When Amanda Weatherley joined the Hunter Women in Business Mentor Program, Ambiance Electrical was a relatively new home-based business with five staff.
“After our first week I realised that I had hit the jackpot. Here was a bunch of amazing women who, like me, all wanted their business to succeed and make a profit,” said Amanda.
One of the program’s benefits according to Amanda was that she grew more confident in making changes to the business, which she runs with her husband. Within a month of the program ending, they felt ready to move Ambiance Electrical out of their garage and into commercial premises. Each workshop also gave Amanda new strategies and ideas she wanted to put into practice.
Other less tangible benefits included networking and development of new business relationships.
Ambiance Electrical has increased turnover by 25 per cent, a result that Amanda attributes directly to the mentoring and training she received under the Women in Business Mentor Program. Other mentorees in the same program report similar increases.
Amanda is currently participating in another program offered by the Hunter Business Centre, the Entrepreneurs Program, with the aim of taking her already successful business to the next level.
Destination Style
Lara Dall’Alba openly admits to pursuing Paris Hilton for celebrity exposure. Getting through tight security in Sydney, Dall’Alba presented the socialite with a beaded caftan she had designed and manufactured. The following day Hilton was photographed in the designer piece and the fashion world was taking notice. While the Hilton publicity helped, Lara credits the Women in Business Mentor Program with putting online boutique clothing business Destination Style on track for success. The program, which Lara had discovered in her quest for assistance in setting up www.destinationstyle.com.au, helped her to manage time and money better and develop a strategy to implement the goals she had identified. She also gained encouragement to delve deeper into the world of marketing.
Lara’s mentor was Penny Young who has experience both in the online travel business and as an experienced marketing consultant. Lara felt a strong connection to Penny because of her mentor’s experience in the online market and was able to talk openly and at length about a range of business issues.
Lara believes that the Women in Business program offered her the structure and support to grow her fledgling business and she welcomed the chance to interact and network with her peers.
ContactWomen in Business Mentor Program, co-ordinated in Sydney by the Sydney Business Advisory ServicePhone: 9338 6750Email: first@business.nsw.gov.auWebsite: www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au
Mammoth Merchandise
Big things can happen after completing the Women in Business Mentor Program.
That proved true for Rowena Crittle who runs Mammoth Merchandise (www.mammothmerchandise.com), a business producing clothing, accessories, badges, stickers and other promotional material for the music and entertainment industry. Rowena not only doubled the capacity of Mammoth Merchandise, but she also moved the business from home to commercial premises.
One of the biggest hurdles Rowena initially faced was pinpointing marketing costs and benefits. “Because of my marketing background I had new ideas for the business but not the financial knowledge to assess whether the business could afford them,” said Rowena.
Rowena received specific help through the program with budgeting, creating financial systems and financial forecasting. Her mentor was Kathy Williams, a finance and business consultant with expertise in all the areas Rowena identified in her application.
Kathy was able to cast an appraising eye over Mammoth and assist in building an integrated budget and financial forecast which indicated that the business could afford to expand and should do so.
“I couldn’t have asked for anyone better,” Rowena said. “I found the one-on-one time we had together just invaluable. I am certain she will be someone I keep in touch with as a friend.”
Recovery Station
Based in Toronto, Recovery Station provides occupational therapy services to the elderly, those suffering from illness, trauma or physical disabilities and people unable to live as independently as they would like.
But being part of a growing industry has posed challenges for owner Beth Gwalter. Faced with so many opportunities that establishing a clear business vision proved difficult, Beth decided to sign up for the Women in Business Mentor Program. Through the Program Beth was matched with mentor David Cole of Solutions Business Development.
Beth subsequently prepared a business plan, drawing on David’s support and on knowledge gained through the program workshops. “I was really pleased I made the time to complete a business plan because it’s important to my future success,” Beth said. Her efforts were rewarded when she won the Most Effective Business Plan Award.
“David was fantastic,” she added. “He was able to cut to the core of the issues I was facing.”
Asked to highlight other benefits from the Program, Beth explained that by developing and implementing new business systems the Recovery Station team had increased efficiency and decreased stress. The results are higher levels of customer service plus increased turnover.
“The Women in Business Mentor Program has been a fabulous experience.”
ContactWomen in Business Mentor Program, co-ordinated in the Hunter by Mentoria, NewcastlePhone: 9338 6750Email: first@business.nsw.gov.auWebsite: www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au
Wild Women on Top
Di Westaway, managing director of Wild Women on Top, started her adventure fitness program for women 18 months ago.
What began as a hobby quickly became a much bigger enterprise and Di realised she lacked the business skills and networks to reach more women. In search of an appropriate course, she found the Women in Business Mentor Program.
Under the guidance of mentor Jill Keyte from High as a Keyte Event Management, Di's small business has blossomed. She now has four staff, her programs across Sydney are full, and she has just signed her first corporate client.
"Jill was fantastic,” said Di. “At times I challenged her suggestions but it was great to be accountable to an experienced operator. She taught me to prioritise, say no to distracting opportunities and forced me to do my budgets, which was really great."
The one-on-one mentoring sessions, in conjunction with the workshops, were pivotal to the success of the program. "I gained an understanding of systems, business plans and finance, and now feel I have the tools to move forward in a professional manner. Without the course, I'd still be trekking around in the bush with my mates, having fun, but not making money.”
ContactWomen in Business Mentor Program, co-ordinated in Northern Sydney by the Business Enterprise Centre Northside, ChatswoodPhone: 9338 6750Email: first@business.nsw.gov.auWebsite: www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au