Babyboxes2easy Telecombband
A luxury hamper for new mums
Kaleicha Vilo thought new mums deserved something better than the traditional baby hampers that were on the market. Adopting the philosophy that "mama needs to be spoilt too", Kaleicha set up Babyboxes, a company selling hampers that include luxury products for mum as well as goodies for the newborn. All sales are online through www.babyboxes.com.au.
With plenty of ideas about how to grow her business, Kaleicha was attracted by the opportunity of using a mentor as a sounding board under the Young Entrepreneur Stepping Up Program. She subsequently worked with mentor Derek Nolan who has experience with both small to medium-sized enterprises and large corporations.
Babyboxes has since increased its turnover by an estimated 50 per cent and Kaleicha is employing more staff. She’s also clarified the company’s future direction.
The Young Entrepreneur Stepping Program includes small group workshops on topics such as cash flow management and strategic planning as well as at least eight hours of one-on-one interaction with a mentor who can offer insights into running a small business and provide guidance.
ContactYoung Entrepreneur Stepping Up ProgramPhone: 1300 134 359Email: first@business.nsw.gov.au
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2easy Telecom - personalised service plus the best products
Katy Rowden and husband established 2easy Telecom in 2004 as a specialist telecommunications supplier to small to medium-sized businesses. As well as providing the full range of telecom services, they ensure clients get the right products at the right price and have a single contact point for all dealings.
Although the business grew over three years to around $2 million in annual turnover, Katy was interested in increasing her business skills and developing strategies to get 2easy Telecom where they wanted it to be in the future. Participation in the Department’s Young Entrepreneur Stepping Up Program, which offers face-to-face mentoring plus business building workshops, proved the answer.
Katy was matched with mentor Greg Thompson, who brought objectivity and experience to consideration of 2easy Telecom’s business issues. Following completion of the program, Katy felt able to validate the systems she had put in place and finetune her growth strategies.
The Young Entrepreneur Stepping Up Program is for entrepreneurs aged from18 to 35 who have been running their own small business for at least a year. Participants must be able to identify a business goal or hurdle that can be addressed through the program.
Peace of mind with bband
While baby monitors have been around for decades, this year should see the launch of an innovative product that gives parents greater assurance on their children’s wellbeing. It’s called bband.
Michael Chan at the 2007 Bizstar Awards with Deborah Sharkey of eBay, one of the Bizstar judges
“What bband will do is reduce the frequency of preventable deaths in babies and young children,” says Michael. “The invisible fence feature could also be valuable for keeping track of wandering dementia sufferers.”
Since winning the Department’s 2007 Bizstar award for an untested business idea, Michael has lodged a patent application for bband and spoken to several potential investors. “I plan to launch the product locally in September 2008, selling through both larger baby goods retailers and online via www.bband.com.au,” said Michael.
Bband will retail at $225 for a baby/parent band set.