11 months ago I started on a new path after 8 years at home with my girls. I had been accepted into a business course called “Bizness Babes” which is a free programme aimed at helping women transition back into the work force by starting (or developing further) their own businesses. I met an amazing, diverse group of women chasing quite diverse dreams and we connected over coffees and elevator pitches, time away from our kids and balance sheets. Today I have a guest post from one of the trainers about this programme (which runs in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) as I am thrilled to spread the word about its existence and hope to connect at least a few more women to this opportunity.
Guest post by Samantha Jockel (that’s her in the photo):
Business … do, I really have what it takes?
Ever found yourself asking this question? For most people this is where it begins and also where it ends. What sets an entrepreneur apart from the rest is not that they have ideas but they actually DO something about them. That is it. One tiny thing can take you from stay-at-home-mum to business entrepreneur, leading a ‘choose your own adventure’ life you only ever dreamed of.
My name is Samantha Jockel and for the last five years I have been a stay at home mum and business entrepreneur. It has been the most exciting, scary, fulfilling, frustrating and ultimately awesome time of my life.
I started contemplating the idea of business seven years ago when I was thinking about having children. I knew I didn’t want to go back to work and leave my kids but I also knew I would need more stimulation than looking after a baby. I have always been an ideas person with my fingers in many pies, but just hadn’t made my own pies yet.
I decided I had to come up with an idea which could work with a baby in tow. My background was social work and community development and my superpower was making things happen. From a random thought in my head one day and a few encouraging conversations came my first business called Biddy Bags.
Biddy Bags merges the skills and abilities of crafting nanas with the design ideas of young fashionistas to create stylish, nana-made ethical products.
From setting up and managing Biddy Bags I learnt that I LOVE business and have spent the past three years experimenting with lots of the different potential I see in the market.
I currently run a large facebook page, sell products and services at markets, co-founded two social enterprises and run a consultancy business.
What I have learnt about running a business is that it is not about having a great idea as much as it is about a willingness and love of learning.
As Richard Branson said: “Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming”.
I truly believe you can do whatever you want if you can be bothered the secret of business success is that it’s not necessarily about talent or a great idea but a desire to learn and grow and an ability to work hard.
What excites me the most is not what I have done but what I am yet to do. As a stay at home mum you are in the perfect position to experiment with small business and see if you have the ability to learn, create and work hard in business. You too can choose YOUR own adventure, live YOUR dreams and be in control of YOUR own life.
Three years ago I was lucky to be offered a job working with a social enterprise called Bizness Babes. Bizness Babes supports and empowers stay at home mums attempting to give business a go. We run free training programs in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and have had over 400 women come through our program since 2006.
Some graduate Bizness Babes businesses include Sunny Mummy, Peppermint Magazine, Home Life Simplified, Seven Cherubs, Gregarious Peach, Greensacks, Maternal Instincts, Kiss it Better Bags, Seven Canaries, and the Karma Soap Company
The great thing is that YOU could add your name to that list. We are currently taking applications for our next round of courses. In order to be eligible you need to meet a couple of criteria outlined in the application form. Our Small Business Development Course is free to women who are unemployed, underemployed or marginalised in some way (see the FAQ on our website).
You can find out more about Bizness Babes and apply for our courses online at www.biznessbabes.com.au
Like our facebook page for regular updates, networking and inspiration.
And remember you are always in the position to CHOOSE your own adventure!!!!
Bizness Babes is a post from:Debra Dane Home Life Simplified
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