Why Did You Start Your Business? Week of October 14th

For individuals that constantly view financial statements or business plans each business looks eerily the similar. Even sometimes the brands, logos and names make consumers scream for the days of uniqueness. Peeling back the skin of business, it is often the entrepreneur and business owner that makes a business unique. Each and every business has an entrepreneur and unique story for launching his or her business, and it is that story which make each business special.

At the age of 12, I knew that I was going to start my own business. After two weeks of stocking the shelves and getting lessons on revenues and expenses, I became passionate (and quasi obsessed) with the notion of entrepreneurship and small business. The goal that I set at 12 has come true. Since my fiance and I have drastically different sleeping temperature preferences (hot/cold), I scoured the internet for a comforter to solve our problem. After striking out, I decided to create and sell a comforter specifically made for male and female sleeping differences. This comforter features a thick (warm) side and a cool (thin) side to satisfy couples needs.

Thanks to Tim Doyle, The Twovet.com!

I established ‘MyStyle PR' in September 2012 upon returning to Brisbane following completion of a PR internship in central London. Soon after arriving I noticed that Brisbane had emerged into an exciting, vibrant and colorful city, full of many creative, innovative ‘Start Up' businesses. What I also noticed was that these businesses had not yet received the recognition they so deserved. I soon set about rectifying this by establishing the MyStyle PR Consultancy.

Thanks to Marguerite O'Sullivan, My Style PR!

I started my business first because I could no longer not be my own boss, and second because I fell in love with this brand, 1800-GOT-JUNK?. Looking back, I have to say that serendipity definitely played a part. Years ago, during my search for a business opportunity I discovered the company, but unfortunately at the time, there was no franchise availability in my area. I put it behind me, but a few years later when my wife and I decided it was time to pursue my dream, even if it meant selling our home and almost everything we owned (which we did), I happened upon news that the company had expanded into Adelaide. It was clearly meant to be. What I love about it: offering people a unique, eco-friendly service that has such an impact on creating better home lives for them.

Thanks to Rob Curnow, 1-800 Got Junk?!

I’ve been a long time car-share member. But my nearest share car was about half a kilometer away. I wondered how I could get to a share-car quicker, and realized the answer was all around me; I was walking past dozens of parked cars, doing nothing, for hours on end and I just needed to be able to borrow them. Car Next Door provides a solution to my problem, provides a simple way for car owners to earn extra cash by sharing their car and is great for the environment. Studies have shown that one shared car takes 10 or more cars off the road. Our aim is to have 10,000 cars on our network, and so take 100,000 cars off the road a goal that ultimately supports the environment and creates an opportunity for neighbors to help each other.

Thanks to Will Davies, Car Next Door!

To Provide Something Special

Who would have thought that a play in the park, in the Tuileries Gardens, Paris in 2007, would have planted the idea of Something Nice For Kids.  This visit to Paris, created a drive for me to offer parents in Australia and increasingly overseas parents something special for their children’s special occasions, and importantly every day wear.  Drawing on my marketing background, I began to research and build the concept of what is now the special occasion wear online store Something Nice For Kids. I get many comments from clients thanking me for bringing a touch of something special to their events. So rewarding!

Thanks to Vicky Stavroulakis, Something Nice For Kids!

To Help Businesses with Social Media & E-mail Marketing

I started my business because I am a technical marketer with a passion for enabling small businesses with technology, mainly social media and email marketing. You see I come from a family of small business owners that know how to get the highest return for their investment. I also worked for one of the most successful privately held software companies in the world (ESRI). It’s the combination of these two skill sets that led me to quickly realize that there were many small businesses that were very interested but didn’t know where to start with social media and email marketing. That’s when my idea to empower small businesses with social media and email marketing was born. Through my own Facebook Page, email marketing, and other social media channels I encourage small businesses by example, tips, and best practices to use the very same tools in their businesses with a “you can do it yourself” approach!

Thanks to Elizabeth Olimpio, JumpSTART MARKETING!