23 November 2009
Business to Business is a fantastic website resource for small
businesses (and large ones too!). They publish monthly
regional newspapers in Auckland, plus have a really great website
full of interesting reads. I have only recently found out
about it (as I stumbled across them on Twitter), but I do wish that
I had found them earlier, especially when I was still living in
Auckland. It can be a bit isolating running a business from
home.
They did a feature on our win in The David Awards last
month, and this month the editor asked me to complete their
standard "Ten Questions in Ten Minutes"
I have pasted the information below on this page.
But please do check out their website too!! http://www.btob.co.nz/
1 - What inspired you to start up your business?
Five years ago, when I had just had my first baby, I needed to
make some pocket money when I started maternity leave. I was making
a few things and selling them on Trademe. But then I got some bad
advice about breast pumps from a baby store and realised I could
create a specialty store for breastfeeding, and that's when the
ball starting rolling
2 - Who has influenced you the most
professionally?
Lynn Brown, she's the woman that has watched me from the sidelines
right from the start, and has encouraged me along the way. Without
her encouragement and belief in me, I would never been where I am
today.
3 - How would you describe yourself as a
businessman?
Well, I describe myself more as a businesswoman, than a
businessman. But my answer to this is that I'm honest, reliable,
and driven. I give everything that I have with what I am doing,
until its finished. I try to treat every customer as if they are
the only customer that I am dealing with each day, although the
contrary is true.
4 - What do you consider your greatest
achievement?
I should say "My two gorgeous kids and wonderful husband" of
course, that goes without saying. But actually creating and running
a website myself from scratch, with no investment capital or
startup. To now become a known parenting source for information and
products, that people are happy to recommend to others. Doing
something that I absolutely LOVE.
5 - With hindsight, what is the one thing you would do
differently?
Maybe I should have been less cautious, and gone into things
quicker - but then I never actually had the money to do it. It's
the slow growth, and reinvestment into my brand that has allowed it
to develop the way it has, and has its own advantages.
I would have put my children into childcare sooner, and set myself
boundaries for work time and time with my children rather than
trying to do both at the same time.
6 - Who do you find inspirational and why?
My mum. She's my number one sounding board, always has time for
me, and I know she would do anything for me. I want to be a mum
just like her when I grow up.
7 - What is the most inspirational book you have read
recently?
gosh I cant remember the last time I read a book…. Mental note -
must visit library.
8 - What is your favourite website and why?
At the moment I spend most of my spare website time on Facebook.
Nice to see friends and create marketing angles too. Its work and
play.
9 -What is the first thing you would if you became Prime
Minister?
Calculate taxable incomes per household rather than individually
so that there is some benefit for mums staying at home with
children.
10 - What is the best thing about being an internet based
business?
being able to do work while still in my dressing gown.