There's power in a combined effort, especially in business. YMag® and Lisa Pollock, secured a prestigious spot to receive 2018's Hollywood's A-list at the Golden Globe Awards. YMag®‘s founder Shar Moore and Lisa Pollock, an international artist, are dedicated to creating positive impact through inspiration from the work they do. The two collaborated to gift a copy of the magazine, which featured Lisa on the cover, together with 2018 planner to help inspire women to live and be the best version of themselves.
We had an opportunity to interview Shar Moore and Lisa and asked about their story, how they started their business and the future of their businesses.
Tell us your story. Why did you start your business?
Shar; Going from ‘Broke to BMW’ after the queensland floods, really highlighted the need for an inspirational, on purpose, educational magazine and I couldn’t find one anywhere! When you are at your lowest in business, you start to look for something inspirational that can give you hope that everything will be ok. As I walked into the newsagent and started to browse the titles on the shelves, I felt worse than when I walked in. Headlines screaming at me that I needed to lose 5kg by the weekend, that the ‘must have’ t-shirt costs $700 and that the celebrity on the cover has the perfect life. I just wanted to cry. I walked out of there and thought to myself, if I’m feeling like this, maybe other women are. The seed of YMag® was born.
Lisa; Art from the Heart by Lisa Pollock came to life around 15 years ago from a vision I’ve always had to inspire & empower other people through my artwork. Originally starting from the garage of mine & my husbands’ first home on the Gold Coast. I had studied at Art College in Sydney, done some travelling around this wonderful country of ours, then decided it was time to make my dream become my reality! From humble beginnings at local markets selling Artwork & originally employing only a couple of people to assist with dispatch, to now including a thriving team of office staff & complete national sales force. My vision definitely became my reality & every day I’m grateful for the amazing tribe I have around me who contribute to making the Lisa Pollock brand what it is today!
How did you come up with your business name?
Shar; I’ve always asked people Y they do what they do. I watched a Ted-x talk of Simon Sinek years ago and he said everything starts with why. I watched it over and over and over again and it resonated with every fibre of my being. I got it. Previously having run a professional business networking group on the East Coast of Australia, one of the key USP’s for the group was to ask each guest Y they did what they did. I watched what took place and realised I was onto something. The connections that formed afterwards were powerful as they person in front of them wasn’t just a ‘printer’, they were a printer who had been burnt previously, ripped off and had now opened their business to give a better service. The Y separated them from their competitors. I then realised, that my magazine would be called YMag® and it would share powerful stories from around the world and Y people do what they do.
Lisa; I have always dreamt that through my artwork I may in some small way inspire others to believe in the magic of their dreams and to never ever give up. Each affirmation is created from my heart in the hope of bringing a little more peace, love, gratitude and laughter into our crazy busy worlds so it made sense for me to have a business name which represented this. Henceforth, Art from the Heart by Lisa Pollock was born.
Tell us about your products and services. How do you help clients?
Shar; We are unique. We focus on the Y before the what, how, when, where and how much. If you think about, a story is great marketing right? So your Y is YOUR story, so what is more powerful that sharing your story with the world, as if they connect with that, they are more likely to connect with you and want to know more about your product or service. YMag® is a national printed and digital publication sold in leading newsagents and airports and we empower women to become the best version of themselves. We help our readers by allowing them to love themselves just the way they are and to finally understand what their passion and purpose is and how they can find and live their Y.
Lisa; Our products are available in gift & home wares stores Nationwide. I create the original artwork which is then replicated on to various products such as canvas wall art, coffee cups in gift boxes, dream writing journals, ceramic affirmation plaques, paper lanterns & much more. All of these products have been originally created from my heart & all affirmations are aimed at inspiring, motivating & believing in yourself. To know that anything is possible & to never, ever give up! We have received many customer testimonials over the years thanking us for giving them the lift that they needed. Weather it’s been due to a personal health concern, a family issue or to help a friend, it seems our customer base is drawing from the messages that are conveyed through Lisa Pollock – art from the heart.
What makes you unique? What is your unique selling proposition (USP)?
Shar; YMag® never features celebrities, or well known high end brands. We shine the light on best kept secret brands and give them the boost and awareness they need. YMag is empowering, inspirational, educational and on purpose. There is nothing like it on the shelves and that may be Y we are getting the incredible ground swell that we are.
Lisa; We are the only wholesale supplier in the gift and homewares industry who creates original artwork. We don’t buy generic stock designs, so this sets us apart from other suppliers within the industry.
Where do you see your business in the next 3-5 years?
Shar; YMag® will be in many countries around the world. Empowering women globally. We see ourselves running a large annual retreat for our readers to come together and hear from our cover people and premium advertisers and attend workshops to help them in life and business. We see ourselves winning awards for the difference our magazine makes in peoples lives.
Lisa; I’m really setting my sights on the larger market in the US. Our business has seen substantial growth at a National level & I have also worked with some other international distributors in the UK, South Africa & New Zealand. So, the time really feels right to spread our wings & take our brand to a new market…to another level.
Any advice you would give to entrepreneurs and business owners?
Shar; Find your Y! As a multi-international award-winning business mentor, I can’t tell you how many people I meet in business who have no connection to their Y and it’s all about the what. Don’t be one of them. Dig deep, do courses, read books, ask questions of successful people and you will find out that they all know their Y. Once you know that, find a mentor that can help you create the strategy as you can spend a lot of time using the ‘spray and pray’ approach and waste years (if you make it) and lose money on trying different strategies. Every successful person has at least one, but often 2-3 mentors.
Lisa; Just really go for it! The only thing that holds you back is your own fear of thinking you’re not worthy! I really try to live by my mantra of DREAM BIG, BELIEVE EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE & NEVER, EVER GIVE UP! Of course, there may be some challenges along the way, but you have to remember that “You’ve got this”. With some determination & positivity anything is possible!
What is your favorite business quote and why?
Shar; You either pay for a mentor now, or you pay later with lost opportunities but either way you pay.
Lisa; “Success isn't just about what you accomplish in your life; it's about what you inspire others to do.” Anonymous
This is so true to my heart…I don’t only want success for myself. I want to inspire others to believe in the magic of their dreams! I’ve always wanted people to realize they can achieve anything they put their minds to, weather it’s overcoming a hardship or lifting a friend in need…whatever you feel is the thing that makes you successful!
What have been some of your achievements that you are most proud of? Why?
Shar; I am most proud of the women I have mentored over the years and how happy and successful they are. I’m also extremely proud of the International awards I have won as they are the recognition that most entrepreneurs don’t receive when they silently work from their home offices. It just shows, that even if you barely finished year 11, where told you would amount to nothing and have no formal education, anyone can succeed if you know your Y. I’m living proof.
Lisa; This might sound a little corny & cliché…BUT my best achievement is my son. He’s still young & has a lot more growing to do, but every day I am proud of the wonderful human he is becoming! He always surprises me with his ability to say the right thing just when I need to hear it! On a business level I think the achievement I’m most proud of is staying in business for as long as I have. The industry I’m in reaches consumers at a retail level & this has seen a lot of changes in the last 15 years. With the change of buying habits we have had to adapt & be flexible in the way we bring our products to the market. Without flexibility & a positive attitude to believe you can move with the times, staying in business would be very difficult.
Anything else additional you want to tell our readers?
Shar; Keep going. Keep asking questions. Keep believing in yourself. You are amazing and if you have a seed of an idea, water it. Find someone who will help you, read inspiring magazines, books, listen to podcast shows, connect and follow inspiring everyday people and learn everything you can. Be the best version of yourself everyday and NEVER compare yourself to anyone else. YOU are amazing!