Australian Small Business – Making a Success out of Filling The Need

The Editor was inspired recently in reading a recent edition of Wealth Creator magazine to find the level of ingenuity and motivation of Australian small business people in the quest for personal and business success – most of the time finding a “gap” in a market they have worked in and had a passion for then pursuing the search for a solution to this “gap” at the same time as providing a selfless commitment to not just the business – but the other stakeholders of that business in its employees, customers and more often than not the support of a charity of choice.
Who says Australians are not great sharers of their hard-earned wealth among the more needy – most of the true success stories in Australian business go hand in hand with the support of people in need. One of the most important factors that become obvious when reading about the real success stories in business – and more particularly, small business –are that you must first have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the business you are going into and knowledge of the market for your business and then have a real passion and love for what you are about to undertake. It is not much good going into a business because it seems like everybody who does is financially successful – rarely is the picture as rosy as you see on the surface and if you do not have a detailed knowledge of the business combined with the necessary passion – very quickly a good idea will turn into a chore and going to work each day will become an increasing challenge.  A couple of great examples are Neil Perry of Rockpool fame who really just wanted to cook and provide people with the enjoyment of good food and wine – and Dick Smith of Dick Smith Electronics fame who turned to his two greatest childhood interests in the bush and radio, making both the cornerstones of his successful businesses over many decades.Both of these legends were able to have the vision and passion to turn
the things that they really loved and enjoyed in life into a business – in both cases success followed as a consequence.
Another more recent case in point is that of Natalie Bloom who turned a youthful exuberance and love for cosmetics into a business that grew – not just in Australia, but internationally, as Bloom Cosmetics and Bloom Organics. Her thoughts on why success followed are interesting:-

1. First and foremost, you have to love what you do. If you’re not passionate you can’t sustain your business and keep going through the hard times.
2. Whatever you do, do it with integrity.
3. Stay focused on what you’re trying to achieve rather than doing a million little things.
4. Be disciplined but remain entrepreneurial.
5. Getting the right people on board is paramount.

Always hire talented and passionate people who share your vision.
Reg Ansett who in 1936 turned his passion for everything with an engine into Ansett Airways and then went on to launch other businesses such as Ansett Pioneer Coachlines, Gateway Hotels, Diner’s Club Australia, Biro Bic Australia and the Ten
TV Network – all stemming from his love of mechanics and an entrepreneurial spirit never dimmed by regulators trying to put a lid on his enthusiasm and success – tall poppy syndrome?
Jan Cameron who founded retail chain Kathmandu, Naomi Milgrom who is the owner of the Sussan Group (Sportsgirl & Sussan) and Julia Ross the founder of Ross Human Directions – one of our most successful recruitment enterprises – all show that the girls have had their share of success also.
Most of these people started their business from a garage or workroom at home.Don’t ever let the nay sayers
Convince you that the energy and go get it attitude of Australians in business are not able to compete successfully with the large multinationals – so long as a sound business knowledge and skill can be combined with passion and love for the task – and most of all – leadership!!

“Work hard, with a purpose, have realistic expectations, don’t be an executive”  – Mark Bouris

Never Give Up on the People you Love

Karen found out that another baby was on the way, so she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling.
They find out that the new baby is going to be a girl, every day Michael sings to his sister in Mommy's tummy.
Then the labour pains come. But complications arise during delivery. Finally, Michael's little sister is born. But she is in serious condition. With siren howling, the ambulance rushes the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee.
As days inch by, the little girl gets worse.
The paediatric specialist tells the parents, "There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst."
Karen and her husband contact a local cemetery about a burial plot. They have fixed up a special room in their home for the new baby- now they plan a funeral.
Michael, keeps begging his parents to let him see his sister, "I want to sing to her," he says.
After two weeks in intensive care it looks as if a funeral will come before the week is over. Michael keeps nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care.  But Karen makes up her mind. She will take Michael whether they like it or not. If he doesn't see his sister now, he may never see her alive.
She dresses him in an oversized scrub suit and marches him into ICU. "Get that kid out of here now!”
The mother rises up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glares steel-eyed into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line.
"He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!"
Karen tows Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazes at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. And he begins to sing. In the pure hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sings: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray."
Instantly the baby girl responds. The pulse rate now calm and steady. Michael keeps on singing.
"You never know, dear, how much I love you, Please don't take my sunshine away…"