Married and became a first time Mum at 18 years old to highschool sweetheart. 28 years later, we have three grown sons, two granddaughters and one grandson. I have always had a passion for helping people and enjoyed watching people do well and succeed. We have a couple of companies and enjoy being in business, and working along side each other. I believe business has afforded me with journey I never thought was possible, or I was capable of. My journey of being a young Mum has provided me with the tenacity, courage and enthusiasm I have pulled on many times over the years being in business. Being a Mum is the single, most proudest thing I have done in my life. I have evolved as a Mum as my children grew into young men, adults, and even parents themselves
When did you start your business?
2007
What was the inspiration behind starting this business?
My husband had been in the healthcare industry for some time and we both had an opportunity to buy a ‘one man’ healthcare equipment supply company. We had three young sons and wanted to start something for ourselves that could not only build a stable future for our family, but also provide a positive impact to people.
What are you most excited about in your business?
Knowing the true impact we have in the healthcare sector across all stakeholders.
What has been the most challenging thing about starting your business?
Life. Having a family where both parents work fulltime, sometimes 6 or 7 days. Running a home and wearing all the hats that a Mum does was a real challenge at times. The ‘mum guilt’ was a real factor throughout different stages of the boys lives
What advice would you give to other women thinking about starting a business?
Know your ‘why’. Knowing your purpose behind what you do, and ensuring you are in alignment with your truth and your values is a must, especilaly on those hard days, weeks and months. You can also go back to your ‘why’ and get strength from that.
Why did you enter the AusMumpreneur Awards?
I was wonderfully nominated and felt the opportunity was one I could not miss. I would love to think that by being a part of this tribe I could impact or impress upon other mums to dream big and don’t succumb to self limitations. I first became a Mum at the age of 18 years old and I my husband and I had nothing to our name. I believe so many women have unlocked potential to impact for good so if I can be a small part of encouraging, supporting and lifting Mum’s up to be on a path they desire, that would be a beautiful thing to be a part of.
What did you enjoy the most about being part of the awards?
The energy. I have never been in an environment with so many champions all happy for each other in sharing successes and wins. It was so inspiring and encouraging. Seeing Mum’s being celebrated and ackowledged for their work was so wonderful to witness.
What surprised you most about the awards?
That I won two awards and took out the Silver for Ausmumpreneur of the Year – like wow!. The calibre of women, the impact they are all having – it’s not celebrated enough across our country and I loved being a part of it. Very humbling.
How did the awards help you in your business?
I believe it has prompted me to step more into the light and share my success.
What advice would you give to other mums thinking about entering the awards?
DO IT! If you would encourage a friend, sister, colleague to do this, and you are a buisness woman that is a mum, then you need to do this for yourself to. “Shine bright as it may help others see they way for themselves”
What has been the best thing about starting your own business?
The outcome. The challenges, hardships, long days, tears, exhaustion are all worth it when I experience the positive change we have made. It has been for families bringing home a loved one from hospital finally because they have the minimum equipment, the carer that can now safely lift patients with ease and without harm of hurthing themself, the parent that has been able to hoist their non-verbal daughter close to her closet so she may choose her own clothing – it’s the joy.
What’s happening next in your business?
Management structure and moving direct to market in other states. We are expanding into states where we have had distributors prior to increase our quality of service and delivery to our customers Australia wide.
Launching our new consultative arm where we work directly with Architects to educate the specification process for projects and our new service department offering being launch at the end of the year.
What are your big plans for the future?
We expect to double in 2 years and be direct to market in all states possible across the country. We are currently working on a new business arm that I cannot release information on but it will be a game changer for the Hospital and Aged Care Home sector and procurement of assets – very exciting
