After a long (too long) absence from Budding Entrepreneurs, I'm back to let you all know I've been busy expanding my Health & Wellness Centre (Pilates @ Brighton).
After several months, we've now just opened a brand new 2nd exercise studio which will mainly be used for group floor classes such as yoga, mat pilates, aerobics and pre/post natal classes.
I'm really looking forward to this new business development and hope to be able to share some ideas and stories with all of you who are contemplating expanding your business.
Talk to you all soon. In the meantime, let me know what you've all been up to.
Wednesday 18 March 2009
Saturday 21 June 2008
A little free time goes a long way.
The other day I saw a new client in my pilates exercise studio. I had previously spoken to him on the telephone a few days earlier after he rang for some information about my services. I spoke to him for about 5-10 minutes.
When I finally saw him for a consultation he told me that he had walked into the studio of one of my nearby competitors and was not impressed with their service towards him. He felt that they had little "free time" to give him to chat about his condition and whether or not they could help him. As a result, he walked out, never to return.
It was after this that he found my studio on the internet and decided to give me a call. As I was able to provide him with a few minutes of my time, he decided to book in for a further consultation. Hopefully he will remain a long term client of mine- and I have my opposition to thank!
Have you had this type of experience?
When I finally saw him for a consultation he told me that he had walked into the studio of one of my nearby competitors and was not impressed with their service towards him. He felt that they had little "free time" to give him to chat about his condition and whether or not they could help him. As a result, he walked out, never to return.
It was after this that he found my studio on the internet and decided to give me a call. As I was able to provide him with a few minutes of my time, he decided to book in for a further consultation. Hopefully he will remain a long term client of mine- and I have my opposition to thank!
Have you had this type of experience?
Wednesday 19 March 2008
New GripSox Website
Due to the expanding market of my GripSox brand, we've launched a brand new website this week.
It's filled with a lot more information about this world-wide product and includes an online shopping cart for you to purchase your own GripSox.
Check it out here www.gripsox.com
It's filled with a lot more information about this world-wide product and includes an online shopping cart for you to purchase your own GripSox.
Check it out here www.gripsox.com
Wednesday 26 December 2007
Review & Preview
Firstly, I must apologize for my lack of posts over the past couple of months but as is the case with most of you, things always get pretty crazy towards the end of the year.
I hope you are all enjoying your Christmas break and are taking a well earned rest.
Those of you who are already business owners would know that there is really no such thing as a "complete break" from work. If you are like me, there is always something in the back of your mind relating to work. However, it is still important to have a few days away from the desk, computer, shop etc. in order to clear your mind.
At this time of year I find it helpful to do a "review & preview" of the year that was, and of the year to come.
It does not have to be any lengthy process; in fact, I find it better if it's kept to a maximum of one page.
The idea is to look back on the year and basically reflect on what worked well and what didn't. This will help you do your preview for the forthcoming year and see what things you will continue with, as well as what things need to be modified or perhaps put on the shelf for next year.
Hopefully you have all had a successful 2007, but remember, 2008 can always be better!
Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2008 to you all. See you in the new year.
I hope you are all enjoying your Christmas break and are taking a well earned rest.
Those of you who are already business owners would know that there is really no such thing as a "complete break" from work. If you are like me, there is always something in the back of your mind relating to work. However, it is still important to have a few days away from the desk, computer, shop etc. in order to clear your mind.
At this time of year I find it helpful to do a "review & preview" of the year that was, and of the year to come.
It does not have to be any lengthy process; in fact, I find it better if it's kept to a maximum of one page.
The idea is to look back on the year and basically reflect on what worked well and what didn't. This will help you do your preview for the forthcoming year and see what things you will continue with, as well as what things need to be modified or perhaps put on the shelf for next year.
Hopefully you have all had a successful 2007, but remember, 2008 can always be better!
Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2008 to you all. See you in the new year.
Thursday 1 November 2007
Be sure to take a break.
One of the easy traps to fall into as a small business owner is to become so engrossed in your business that you forget to take time out and recharge your batteries. This is often most pronounced when you are in the initial stages of establishing your business, or when you are going through an expansion phase.
Whilst the idea of a holiday is always on everyone's wish list, many small business owners see this break as possibly meaning lost business opportunities. The decision to take a break is even more difficult if it means you have to totally close your doors for that period of time. Add to this the continued paying of rent and no income coming in, and your holiday suddenly becomes a lot more expensive.
This all just highlights the point made in my recent post, "Do you want to own a business or a job?" If your business closes down when you go on holiday, then you indeed really own a job!
Having said all this, I can't stress (operative word) enough the importance of taking some time out for yourself, family and/or friends. You will be surprised how refreshed you and your mind will be when you return to your work, and thus, you will be more productive in the day to day business decisions you need to make.
How often do you take a break from your work? Let me know your thoughts.
Whilst the idea of a holiday is always on everyone's wish list, many small business owners see this break as possibly meaning lost business opportunities. The decision to take a break is even more difficult if it means you have to totally close your doors for that period of time. Add to this the continued paying of rent and no income coming in, and your holiday suddenly becomes a lot more expensive.
This all just highlights the point made in my recent post, "Do you want to own a business or a job?" If your business closes down when you go on holiday, then you indeed really own a job!
Having said all this, I can't stress (operative word) enough the importance of taking some time out for yourself, family and/or friends. You will be surprised how refreshed you and your mind will be when you return to your work, and thus, you will be more productive in the day to day business decisions you need to make.
How often do you take a break from your work? Let me know your thoughts.
Sunday 7 October 2007
Make your own luck.
One of my pet hates is when people, usually jealous people, constantly refer to someone else's business success as "luck". It's as though the person has simply bought themselves a lottery ticket and hoped for the best.
What these envious people fail to see are the countless hours and hard work that successful people put in daily to get where they are in life.
I am a firm believer in people making their own luck, and thus, creating their own destiny. Whilst I believe there is such a thing as "being in the right place at the right time", in most of these cases the person involved is being proactive in the first place by getting themselves to "that right place".
The path to business, personal or life success requires a lot more than simple "luck". It involves continual hard work, time and effort, persistence, patience and dedication to name a few traits.
So, instead of being the type of person who takes the easy option and attributes plain old luck to being the reason why someone is so successful, try putting in a few hard yards yourself and create your own luck to reach success.
What do you think?
What these envious people fail to see are the countless hours and hard work that successful people put in daily to get where they are in life.
I am a firm believer in people making their own luck, and thus, creating their own destiny. Whilst I believe there is such a thing as "being in the right place at the right time", in most of these cases the person involved is being proactive in the first place by getting themselves to "that right place".
The path to business, personal or life success requires a lot more than simple "luck". It involves continual hard work, time and effort, persistence, patience and dedication to name a few traits.
So, instead of being the type of person who takes the easy option and attributes plain old luck to being the reason why someone is so successful, try putting in a few hard yards yourself and create your own luck to reach success.
What do you think?
Wednesday 12 September 2007
Do I want to own a business or own a job?
What's the difference I hear you ask? PLENTY is the answer.
The thought of running your own business can bring a lot of excitement to someone who is bored with their current situation and is looking for a change.
What most people don't realize are the sacrifices that many business owners make on their path to business success. I can assure you that it's not all easy going. Why do you think there is such a high incidence of businesses failing in the first few years of operation?
A business owner who has to be in attendance the whole time for it to continue to operate isn't in fact a business owner at all. They are a job owner.
Likewise, someone who can't take any time off work for a holiday without having to close the whole place down is also a job owner. At least an employee still gets holiday pay when they go away, unlike the business (job) owner. Not to mention all the overheads (eg. rent) that still need to be paid whilst you're away not earning an income.
This has probably been one of the most difficult obstacles for me to overcome in my business, made all that more difficult due to the personal nature of my physiotherapy and clinical pilates business.
Fortunately, by choosing the right people and through careful planning, I can now enjoy not having to go into work on weekends, taking some mornings and afternoons off during the week to spend time with my family, and having a business still operational whilst taking some time off to rest on holiday. I can't emphasise enough the importance of these work and life choices.
So, before you take that plunge into the unknown world of a business owner, ask yourself what you want to be: a business owner or job owner.
The thought of running your own business can bring a lot of excitement to someone who is bored with their current situation and is looking for a change.
What most people don't realize are the sacrifices that many business owners make on their path to business success. I can assure you that it's not all easy going. Why do you think there is such a high incidence of businesses failing in the first few years of operation?
A business owner who has to be in attendance the whole time for it to continue to operate isn't in fact a business owner at all. They are a job owner.
Likewise, someone who can't take any time off work for a holiday without having to close the whole place down is also a job owner. At least an employee still gets holiday pay when they go away, unlike the business (job) owner. Not to mention all the overheads (eg. rent) that still need to be paid whilst you're away not earning an income.
This has probably been one of the most difficult obstacles for me to overcome in my business, made all that more difficult due to the personal nature of my physiotherapy and clinical pilates business.
Fortunately, by choosing the right people and through careful planning, I can now enjoy not having to go into work on weekends, taking some mornings and afternoons off during the week to spend time with my family, and having a business still operational whilst taking some time off to rest on holiday. I can't emphasise enough the importance of these work and life choices.
So, before you take that plunge into the unknown world of a business owner, ask yourself what you want to be: a business owner or job owner.
Saturday 1 September 2007
FREE event for young entrepreneurs.
I've recently been notified of the following upcoming event for young entrepreneurs. Check out the details below:
GLOBAL EDGE: YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS REVEAL THEIR SECRETS
Want to take your business idea to the world and make millions?
Come and meet Andy Cassell – Manager of Jet, The Vines and Youth Group and co-owner of Ivy League Records, Scott Farquhar, winner of the 2006 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and co-founder of Atlassian, global software company, and Leesa Fogarty one of the founders of the international swimwear label MaraJoara.
Find out how they took their ideas to the global stage and created thriving businesses.
Join us for this FREE event with a twist on Wednesday, 26 September, 2007 from 5.15pm-7pm at the SOUND LOUNGE (Seymour Centre), corner City Road and Cleveland Street, Chippendale.
Hosted by the Department of State and Regional Development. For more info and to register to attend, email: timothy.medway@business.nsw.gov.au
GLOBAL EDGE: YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS REVEAL THEIR SECRETS
Want to take your business idea to the world and make millions?
Come and meet Andy Cassell – Manager of Jet, The Vines and Youth Group and co-owner of Ivy League Records, Scott Farquhar, winner of the 2006 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and co-founder of Atlassian, global software company, and Leesa Fogarty one of the founders of the international swimwear label MaraJoara.
Find out how they took their ideas to the global stage and created thriving businesses.
Join us for this FREE event with a twist on Wednesday, 26 September, 2007 from 5.15pm-7pm at the SOUND LOUNGE (Seymour Centre), corner City Road and Cleveland Street, Chippendale.
Hosted by the Department of State and Regional Development. For more info and to register to attend, email: timothy.medway@business.nsw.gov.au
Tuesday 21 August 2007
Goal setting - where do I set the bar?
One of my favourite sayings is "Set your goals high enough to inspire you, yet low enough to encourage you".
In my opinion this saying holds very true for someone looking to start out on a new business venture or someone wanting to grow their existing business.
There is no point setting goals so far beyond reach that you are never going to come close to achieving them. All this will do will discourage you to continue on with your business ideas.
Equally, there are also problems associated with not setting your goals high enough. This can lead to boredom and the possibility of missed opportunities.
Of course, the level at which you set your goals is going to vary from person to person and business to business. A big part of being a successful entrepreneur is knowing where to set the bar.
Let me know your thoughts on goal setting.
In my opinion this saying holds very true for someone looking to start out on a new business venture or someone wanting to grow their existing business.
There is no point setting goals so far beyond reach that you are never going to come close to achieving them. All this will do will discourage you to continue on with your business ideas.
Equally, there are also problems associated with not setting your goals high enough. This can lead to boredom and the possibility of missed opportunities.
Of course, the level at which you set your goals is going to vary from person to person and business to business. A big part of being a successful entrepreneur is knowing where to set the bar.
Let me know your thoughts on goal setting.
Saturday 11 August 2007
101 Ways to kickstart your business.
This is the title of a new book by Herald-Sun journalist Claire Heaney. Claire is the editor of the Business Owner segment that features entrepreneurs and business owners each Thursday in the newspaper.
The book is described as "real people sharing real business success stories".
I have been fortunate enough to have been selected to feature in Claire's book. My GripSox success story is featured as Way #76 "Innovation".
I highly recommend the book to both new business start-ups as well as those wanting to grow their existing business.
You can order your own copy of the book through Wilkinson Publishing.
My GripSox article that featured in the Herald-Sun in July 2006 is also available online.
The book is described as "real people sharing real business success stories".
I have been fortunate enough to have been selected to feature in Claire's book. My GripSox success story is featured as Way #76 "Innovation".
I highly recommend the book to both new business start-ups as well as those wanting to grow their existing business.
You can order your own copy of the book through Wilkinson Publishing.
My GripSox article that featured in the Herald-Sun in July 2006 is also available online.
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