I started the business in 2014 with one Admin client, and now, as a registered BAS agent and NDIS Plan Manager, I am helping disability service providers with the extensive knowledge I have of the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme). To manage the workload, I’ve built a team of 5, so we can help more people to live better lives. One of my values is helping others and I now say that I consciously make a point of ‘helping people who help people’!
When did you start your business?
I started in 2014, with just one Admin client, while I was completing the 1400 hours of experience required to become a registered BAS agent.
What was the inspiration behind starting this business?
I love to help people, but I’m a numbers person, so being in the caring or nursing profession was not for me. I play to my strengths (🤭 ‘there’s strength in numbers’ – get it?!) by helping people with numbers – offering bookkeeping, BAS, NDIS Plan Management, and generally all the things you’d expect an Accounts Department to do.
What are you most excited about in your business?
Being able to support people within the NDIS is so rewarding for me. And being able to provide work for the people on my team who want or need to work flexibly, as I know how important it is. I know the difference we all make in peoples lives, and that gets me excited and feeling proud of my team.
What has been the most challenging thing about starting your business?
Trying to find ways to be able to work flexibly was not easy 10 years ago when I started. And trying to set up a business, and go out and find clients when you are also managing a family and home and all the stuff that comes with that – it can be so hard. I’ve been so lucky to find others along the way who thankfully wanted the same things, and we have supported each other ever since. Last year we even started a co-operative, so we can help others do things in a similar way.
What advice would you give to other women thinking about starting a business?
My first piece of advice would be to make sure it’s the right thing for you. And find some other business people to chat to while you are figuring it all out – even if it’s an online group who you feel connected to. Mums in business are generally incredibly supportive of each another, and can help you think things through before taking a leap.
Why did you enter the AusMumpreneur Awards?
I have loved being part of the Ausmumpreneur network for a number of years now, and anyone who knows me was probably surprised when me – a self-confessed introvert – said not only was I entering the awards, but also attending the conference! And on my own that first year! I felt that the network was filled with genuine supportiveness, and with people who understood my journey. Receiving recognition amongst that community felt so empowering when I placed Silver in 2021, but I realised it was also an opportunity for me to remind myself and my team of the great work that we do throughout the year. So I did it again, as it is a great way to reflect on the success of the year! And this time I won Gold, and for the work I did as part of the Women’s Business School, which was an amazing opportunity in itself!
What did you enjoy the most about being part of the awards?
The community support is enormous. And over time, being able to get excited for other people that I know who are nominated, finalists or winners, because I’ve come to know them through the Ausmumpreneur network, and watched their progress throughout the year too.
What surprised you most about the awards?
With all the glamorous women (and handsome men) that attended, I didn’t see one person with the same outfit 😛
How did the awards help you in your business?
Again, it’s that reminder of what all the hard work is actually achieving. It’s easy to forget what it’s all for in the middle of a payroll week, or at BAS time – the team and I can be so busy, and just getting on with it. To be able to stop and have that reflection time, and to celebrate when things have gone well, helps us to grow the business. And going back to the support that comes from other businesses in the community, we’ve had so many referrals from within the network, because I’ve made the effort to connect with people, and we get to know, like and trust each other.
What advice would you give to other mums thinking about entering the awards?
Even if you are an introvert like me, I can tell you that whilst the experience of publicly celebrating your hard work might take you a little bit out of your comfort zone, it will also build your confidence so much when you start to ask yourself the questions about why you think you should be considered as a winner in your category.
What has been the best thing about starting your own business?
Being able to create my own work flexibility was amazing and being able to also now provide that opportunity for others in my team, is so satisfying. That balance between work and life is so entangled, so you need to be able to have the flexibility to move things around and share the workload, whilst still proving excellent service to the clients.
What’s happening next in your business?
Continuing to have flexible and consistent growth is my plan for the near future. Our reputation for excellent and friendly service is reaching further every day, and I am so thankful for the amazing clients we get to work with, and for their kindness is telling others, so we can help them too!
What are your big plans for the future?
Ooh, that’s a difficult one. I have days when I want to double the size of the team, and then I remind myself that I’m an introvert and that I value the flexibility of my business not getting too big! I have a few other ventures which are just starting out, including an amazing collaboration with other service businesses (who I also share my office with), called Sage Room Co-op, where we are working on some big plans to help more people work flexibly and give their businesses more longevity. And more than one other business, helping to support more NDIS services and participants. So watch this space!
