Supporting Women on a Grand Scale Vol 5

After an extended break from writing the blog, I thought I'd get back into the swing of it by doing some good. My Kiva loans are going really well and they have almost all been paid back now, only awaiting the last $11. So, thought it was high time I re-loaned that money to other women who are struggling to remain independent.

This month I have loaned $25 USD to Ann Myra from the Philippines who has run her own transport business for the last 10 years. She is married with two children and is looking for a loan so that she can make necessary repairs to her vehicle. This will enable her to be more profitable and she plans to use the extra revenue to increase the living conditions of her family.

You can add to the loan by going here to view her profile... and while you are there, why not make a couple of loans to other women? You can search by gender, industry, location etc and you'll get a warm mushy feeling for doing your bit to help women who are slogging it out.

Lifelong Learners

This week's post belongs to Melissa and her business Lifelong Learners. Please make her feel welcome by visiting her pages and getting in touch.

·    What your business does: Lifelong Learners is dedicated to providing high quality, professional education assistance to those who are struggling within the standard curriculum. I am a qualified educator (Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education, Masters of Education) with classroom experience in public and private schools as well as in-depth experience working with children and adults experiencing issues with literacy and/or behaviour.

It is not uncommon for learners to have difficulties within a classroom environment and one on one tutoring is a solution that allows them to catch up on missed content and skills whilst boosting their self-confidence. The purpose of tutoring is to help students help themselves and to assist or guide them to the point at which they become independent, successful learners.

Just as “two heads are better than one,” having students work together in a group activity often results in a higher level of learning and achievement than could be obtained individually. With a strong background in behaviour management, I can foster independent learning in your child and their areas of need whilst also maintaining a positive, distraction-free supportive learning environment.

Small group learning (no more than four students per session) is available for students from years two to twelve as well as adult learners. Subjects covered include:

-          English (year 2 – 12)

-          History (year 11 – 12 WACE)

-          Politics and Law (year 11 – 12 WACE)

-          Economics (year 11 – 12 WACE)

-          Public Speaking

-          Creative Writing

-          University/return to study preparation courses

-          Essential workplace skills training

·    How your business positively affects you as a woman and those you love and support: It is empowering to be my own boss, set my own hours and be able to be there for friends and family when needed. Having my own business means I control my output and can ensure that I don’t work myself into the ground – I have a much healthier work/life balance these days.

·    What advice can you give for other women starting their own business: The hardest part is taking that initial plunge. I planned, strategised and discussed it for ages before finally making the decision to resign from my well paid job with a guaranteed income and just give it a go. You can’t be half—hearted about it – give it your all and see your efforts rewarded.

Contact:

Website: www.lifelonglearners.com.au

Twitter: LifelongLs

Facebook:  Lifelong Learners

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lifelong-Learners/188752057826390

Stormies Dog Wash

After a short Christmas break, we're back with a great local business run by the mother of a colleague of mine.

Please welcome Tammy with her wonderful business  Stormies Dog Wash

 Tell us about your business-

Stormies is a caring and compassionate dog washing service that endeavours to have happy clients both furry and human! Primarily washing dogs and cats, I also have a client base of other furry pets, such as  rabbits, guinea pigs and even Old Macdonalds Travelling Farm!! All wash services are tailored to your pets individual needs, and a range of products are on hand to suit all skin types! Currently servicing the north eastern suburbs of Perth.

How does your business benefit you?

I previously worked in the retail management business and found that having 3 children the hours I was required to work were not conducive to maintaining a suitable work/life balance. After some considerable soul searching and research I decided that making the jump to small business would be a worthwhile endeavour. Some 4.5 years later, I have a successful business that I work into my own schedule, and have achieved a balance that works for our family.

What advice do you have for women looking to go into business?

I must admit that I was apprehensive about starting my own business but I had great support from my husband and extended family in the early stages. It was scary going from a guaranteed salary into the unknown, but I believe that confidence in my abilities and business plan was what kept me going in the early months.

Contact-

Ph  freecall 1800 364499 (1800doggywash)

stormiesdogwash@hotmail.com  or Facebook : stormies dog wash

So, if you live in Perth and you want to spoil your little furry friends, please get in touch with Tammy and help support her amazing business!

International Women's Day. Mar 8th 2012

Digital ad agency AKQA crafted a stunning ad campaign for Fast Company's Dec./Jan. issue. Their "Case for Girls" concept featured a Chinese woman wearing a shade of crimson lipstick and a pairing of Chinese characters that translate into: "You Are."
Their creative concept was so comprehensive, the agency now envisions a real-life potential for their idea, with a campaign that would include a pledge to wear red lipstick during International Women's Day, March 12, 2012.
The link to their just-launched website is http://youare.cn.com/flash.html. The Flash-based website, available in Mandarin and English, is one scrolling page that highlights facts about women’s health and gender inequality in China and around the world that leads to a call to action to mobilise and unite women on International Women’s Day on March 12, 2012.
They've also crafted a video, which, as the agency describes it, "references the sparse style of Chinese brush strokes and ink paintings, the video introduces the idea called Ni Shi, meaning “you are." It's a gorgeous must-watch video--a stunning call to action.

Please jump on the website and watch the beautiful presentation and make the commitment to wear red lipstick on March the 8th 2012

Name Your Dummy

Please welcome Mai-Britt and Tea from Name Your Dummy.

 Tell us about your business:

We are the first to introduce the personalised dummy (also called soother or pacifier) to Australia and New Zealand – the child’s name will be permanently marked on the front of the dummy – they are not only cute, but a great way of reducing the spread of germs. No more tags or texta on the dummy. We only sell dummies produced in Australia and Europe – Happy Baby, Baby Nova and Nip – which all conform to Australian Safety Standards.

We are also very excited to be the first to permanently mark Sistema products – we mark KLIP IT containers, Quaddie lunch boxes and drink bottles from Sistema with the child’s name – great for child care and school – no more need for labels or texta.

We also sell things we just think are great products that compliment our personalised products. We got the DryBib and the Bandanda Bib which is a very funky bib that looks more like a scarf than a bib. And we got some funky dummy clips that are specially made for us by Spatz Mini Peeps – they can be used on all dummies, they can also be used to keep the child’s favourite toy or Rusk, so no losing it when out and about. And not forgetting the Nip sterilising box – can be used as a hygienic storage box for the dummy and in case the dummy gets dropped on the ground, pop it in the box with 2 teaspoons of water, give it 60 seconds in the micro-wave and the dummy is sterilised and safe to give the child again – great when you are out and about – can be done at any café or restaurant.

Still not sure what to get – then buy a gift voucher, which is the perfect present for a baby-shower – then the parent can buy personalised products when the baby is here.

All our products are BPA- , Nickel- and Lead free. 

How does your business benefit you:

·         

      It does do something to your self-esteem knowing that it’s totally up to you if this is going to be a success or not. It’s a bit scary and at the same time you are on a high knowing you can do this J - it does gives a freedom knowing that you are your own boss, but also put a different kind of pressure on knowing that you do have to make this work as you still need to provide for your family. But the kids do have Mums that are more happy than when they are working for someone else!

    

      What advice do you have for women looking to go into business:

      

      Important that you do your research so you know the your market and check out how many is doing what you want to do – you do not want to overload the market as you are not going to get any business. And make sure your family is behind you and happy to back you up.

      Contact:

      Please email here, visit www.nameyourdummy.com.au or check out the Facebook page.

Perth Party Feet

Well, another exciting business to showcase for you all this week. I have changed the format for the blog posts and this is the first business to use it. Sarah is my friend's sister in law and I've already bought some shoes from her great business Perth Party Feet. Sarah has run her business since January this year and has already gained a lot attention for having unique and well priced shoes. Here's what Sarah wrote about her business;

Perth Party Feet

Tell us about your business-

      As a lover of shoes myself, I know that sometimes it is hard to find a unique pair that stands out in the crowd. With this in mind, I decided to start a shoe business, supplying ladies with fashionable and unique shoes for all occasions, at a reasonable price. I am still working on inventory and more stock, but the response so far has been very encouraging.

How does your business benefit you-

     It feels great to know that I have started this business from the ground up, with the help and support of my partner. It is almost like having my own baby, and watching it grow from stage to stage. There is an incredible sense of satisfaction when I receive an email or a message from a lady who has purchased something from me, who loves what they have purchased, and has received compliments on it. It is an amazing feeling.

What advice do you have for women looking to go into business-

      Hang in there! Perseverance is key – sometimes things don’t look so good, and you wonder whether it is worth it at all – just keep on at it!

 perthpartyfeet@live.com.au/  www.facebook.com/Perthpartyfeet 

Tammy Hine- Dietitian

This is a very exciting post for me because Tammy Hine is the first person to find my blog, contact me about it and actually be ON THE BLOG!! Can't wait to meet her and congratulate her for being so proactive! Here is a collection of information that Tammy has sent through to me over our weeks of communication;

"I can now officially let you know that as a Dietitian I have recently collaborated with the wonderful Hayden Quinn (Masterchef 2011 contestant) and yesterday he posted a blog about me that pretty much summarises my philosophies and what I do. See link below:

http://www.haydenquinn.com.au/2011/10/the-nutritional-value-of-the-food-we-eat/

Here is a little bit more about me and how I love being an empowered woman!

My business is my pride and joy.  I started working as an Accredited Practising Dietitian in private practice in 2003 and in 2005 moved to my Mt Lawley address (prior to this I had worked as a clinical Dietitian in hospitals in Western Australia and the United Kingdom). The simple fact of the matter is, that I love to help people and I know that people feel better, healthier and more inspired to enjoy life and those around them when they are making positive health changes (such as eating well and exercising).  So many of the women that I see are Mums and I can connect with them on so many levels (extremely busy, tired, forgetting to put themselves first, no time for exercise or doing the things they love to do) I LOVE giving them permission to put themselves first (at least some of the time!)

My approach to weight loss is a realistic and healthy lifestyle approach.  Let’s face it, food is for enjoying and part of the key to sustaining healthy weight loss is avoiding deprivation that can lead to bingeing or “blow-outs” as so many of my clients admit to doing before they start on a healthy lifestyle approach.  Believe it or not, there is room to have your favourite foods and still lose weight! 

In addition to weight loss I also provide individualised dietary information to assist with diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.  I see people for face-to-face consults at my Mt Lawley address and I also have email/online consultation packages available for those who prefer this option or find it hard to get time to come in for an appointment. 

My business has allowed me to not only help other people but it has been invaluable for me as a person and an empowered woman.  Working as a Dietitian is something that I love to do and during the hazy, tough days of being a new Mum it gave me the opportunity to leave the house, put on my “Dietitian hat” and feel fantastic about who I am and what I do, that in turn would mean that I would return home to my wonderful family (husband and two boys) refreshed and ready for the next domestic challenge!  Simply put, my work helped me to appreciate and love my family even more than I thought possible...

I can be contacted via the Facebook page www.facebook.com/TammyHineDietitian or contact Victoria for all contact details.

Tammy Hine - Accredited Practising Dietitian & Accredited Nutritionist

B.Sc. (Nutrition & Food Sci), Postgrad. Dip. (Health Promotion)., Grad. Dip. (Dietetics)

Mt Lawley, Western Australia


So, how cool is that!!! We have our first dietitian! I am very happy to be diversifying! Get in touch with me if you'd like to be put in touch with Tammy outside of her Facebook page!