Starting your own business can feel like a daunting task. Luckily, you have the advice of 6 Australian business owners on how they helped their business to grow.
Sarah Morrissey | Little Rockers Radio
On making connections:
“My biggest business growth 'hack' is really a great strategy rather than a hack - Build Partnerships.
When you are first starting out and finances are low it's great to partner up with businesses with the same target market as you. Naturally all partnerships need to be win-win! Even if you don't yet have a big audience to offer, there are other things you can offer - content, expert advice, product samples / giveaways, etc. Little Rockers Radio has been built off the back of some amazing partnerships.”
Find Little Rockers Radio on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MyDeal Pro Tip:
Show people how serious you are
It’s important when building relationships and networking with other businesses that they take you seriously. Making sure the space you use to discuss your business feels like a working space is a good start. Holding a meeting at your coffee table may give the wrong impression but offering someone an office chair instead of a lounge can change the vibes in an instant.
Kathryn Khamsi | Pikku Baby
On taking challenges in your stride:
“Be ready to take on a mountain and know the view changes as you go!
Running your own business (at any stage) is like ascending and descending a mountain peak. You keep your vision focused on your end-goal and have to be committed once you've started your journey, knowing fully that the unexpected will come. Sometimes it is delightful and at other times a bit of treacherous terrain. If you stay resilient, open to finding the best course and learning as you go, then it is worth it and you are ready to refocus your vision and find the next mountain."
Find Pikku Baby on Facebook and Instagram.
Eugenie Pepper | The Key For Me and Plum Collections
On working together:
"My advice to a friend starting up their own business would be to collaborate and cross-promote with other businesses who share the same market. By joining forces you can share resources. Strategies can include sharing relevant social media, doing give-away and competitions together, working together on events or sharing stands at trade shows and expos. You can create shared marketing material that benefits both brands and share the marketing costs. Collaborations helps you grow your network together and at the same time share advice, brainstorm ideas and learn from each other. There are so many benefits".
Find The Key For Me on Facebook and Plum Collections on Instagram.
Deanne Atkinson | Parent With Passion
On never giving up:
“Commit to forever finding ways to improve.”
Find Parent With Passion on Facebook or Instagram.
Tennille Graham | Cloth Nappy Doctor
On talking to your audience:
“My number one hack for business growth is knowing your audience or clientele. Understanding their challenges and frustrations, but also what makes them laugh and enjoy life. Then applying this to your brand to share in the adventures together. We use a weekly newsletter to connect with our audience, as well as a Facebook Group. It is wonderful getting to know our community beyond the sale of a product.”
Louise Plant | Louise Plant
On looking to the future:
“This is the advice I would offer you, if you were to be starting any project or business. What do you want it to look like in the future? This gives you a vision to work towards and we like to be positive future orientated. I would recommend that you chunk this vision down until you start to unpack and explore your own genius.
Your business is like your garden. It needs regular attendance, love, weeding, watering and nurturing. If you ignore it things can get out of hand. Consistent attention will give a high yield producing crop for you to enjoy harvesting. Sure you might have to work hard in the beginning to get it established, so be prepared for that, though know over time, it will produce its rewards.”
Find more from Louise on Facebook.
With all this advice under your belt there’s no reason for you to stress over growing that business of yours. Celebrate your successes with a new trampoline for the kids and a pat on the back for yourself!
If you plan on starting your business from home here’s how to get the ultimate home office.
