Welcome Well another year is over and it’s time to get organised and into 2013. I love January as it just feels like every year we are given the chance to start over and change our perspective on life and our businesses, to perform even better and reach higher goals. This issue, you are going to love as we have so many things going on, from celebrating Valentines Day, to Australia Day and back to school preparation. The new year is a fantastic time for business owners to get organised and catch up on the mess last year left behind. There is no better feeling then having the chance to feel decluttered and care free. It’s also a great opportunity to get your marketing plan organised for the year to come and we have just the article to help you achieve your goals in 2013. After everything is organised and your goals are written out, don’t forget to relax and enjoy your time with family and friends before the kaos of life and business take over once again.
OUT NOW!
I wish everyone a wonderful 2013 and I hope all of your goals and hard work lead you to places you never imagined. Creative Director Bethaney Gray
Contact the Editor: bethaney@talkingmumsmagazine.com
Visit our Website: www.talkingmumsmagazine.com
Advertisement Enquiries: sales@talkingmumsmagazine.com
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/talkingmums
Contents 10 The Business of fashion
check out our top picks to start 2013.
14 Recreating Romance
Samantha shares her tips to success for Valentines Day.
16 Valentines Day gift ideas 20 We talk with Jennifer Evans
Read about what Jennifer has been up to after winning My Kitchen Rules.
22 Australia day recipe ideas entertain your family and friends in style.
26 What’s on Calendar
Check out what’s going on in your area.
30 Get Smart!
Joni shows us how to smart about our marketing goals.
32 Top Tips
Learn how to choose a business name and rebrand your business.
34 When you can only see the bigger picture
Vannessa helps us see the solution.
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TO ENTER: simply Subscribe to talking Mums Magazine for FREE and post your business product or craft on our facebook page during the month of January and you could WIN! www.facebook.com/talkingmums
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Top New Wrapster quirky.com $15.99
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Marrakesh Print Cushion craveinterior.com $29.99
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Tool Caddy themacbethcollection.com.au $48.00
Products Quirky Ideas for home and office
Split Stick - USB $24.99
Pivot Power quirky.com $29.99
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Mantis Light quirky.com $24.99
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‘s 2013
The Bus
www.dress-examiner.com
www.fashionistatrends.com
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www.bag4biz.com.au
www.raffaello-network.com
www.raffaello-network.com
siness
of fashion
www.pinstripeandpearls.com
www.becomegorgeous.com
www.ebags.com
www.thewatchery.com
www.gilletts.com.au 11
Born with a
Gift
Author: Sasha Brisk www.sashabrisk.com
By age 20, Sasha Brisk had everything
figured out. As a successful indoor soccer player, she traveled the world representing Australia while playing the sport she loved. Then, a devastating injury ended her soccer career and her life path was suddenly much different. A series of illnesses, including insomnia, depression and severe anxiety led her to ask serious questions about her life’s purpose and direction. Brisk reflects on how she found those answers in her new book, Born with a Gift. In the book, Brisk helps readers connect with their natural gifts of intuition and spirituality. Using these gifts, she says, will lead to comprehending the realities of
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human existence. “Once people balance their core attributes and accept their natural gifts, they can achieve a truly stress free life,” Brisk says. “Peace, love, happiness, hope--all of these are words that everyone knows but no one really understands how to translate them into action in everyday life. “The book teaches how to limit closed doors and release the negative thoughts that we naturally hold onto.”
“Once people balance their core attributes and accept their natural gifts, they can achieve a truly stress free life” Connecting with her peers is important to Brisk, now 25, who is spreading the word to the next generation that adapting to change can be done without the temptations of popular culture. “I understand where my peers are coming from,” Brisk says. “I hit rock bottom, but I used my natural gifts to move forward to a better, happier life without medication, binge drinking, or other temptations that can divert and hurt.”
My Favorite Book for January Darth is about a fish who is captured. He involuntarily bomb dives into a new fish kingdom where he meets eye to eye with Grunt, the leader of the gang. Darth is issued with a dare. He must choose a weapon. Is it the right one? Follow Darth on his journey. For ages 4 and up Right now they are running a deal where you can
Buy 2 Books and get 1 FREE
A beautiful book to read your kids before they begin school and throughout the year. Darth Learns how to make new friends using tips from his mum- smile, use kind words and to play a game. He learns how the about power of kindness, and if you give out happiness, it comes back to you.
Head to www.darthfish.com/#!shop/c17j8
Another great book find is this gorgeous story about the Adventures of Christina Crankypants is the story of a girl who believes she has to be cranky because that’s her name. Each of the characters believe the same about themselves and it is the journey towards realising that you don’t have to be who people expect you to be. $16.95 available from www.facebook.com/pintsizebooks/app_138996027389?ref=ts
Talking Mums Back to School Guide is OUT NOW! head to
www.talkingmumsmagazine.com
to claim your copy!
BUY 1 CANVAS GET 1 FREE Work Of H’Art Photography is offering Talking Mums readers on the Central Coast NSW a FREE full colour wall canvas 20” x 30” (51cm x 76cm) valued at $350 when they order from a portrait photo session before April 2013. http://www.facebook.com/WorkOfHArtPhotography
Recreating Romance for Valentines Day Samantha Krajina Founder of Relationship Rocketscience
www.relationshiprocketscience.com.au
Ideally, when we think of Valentines Day and
romance, we think of the night in shining armor bearing roses and chocolates. When you think about it, it is a very high expectation we set on men and an immense pressure to get it right.
Romance need not be the sole responsibility of both. Nor should it feel like a burden or an unrewarded effort to put romance on the priority list in a relationship. All relationships rely on intimacy and romance to keep it alive and prevent falling into the routine of solely day-to-day living. Very few couples find it difficult sharing romantic experiences with their partner early on in the relationship, however as time goes on, the energy and creative ideas tend to wear thin and can be discouraging. So, how do we create that honeymoon young love that sparked the connection with our partner? How can we inject romance and excitement into a comfortable relationship? The good news is that relationships are not a result, nor are they an event where what you have created is the end product. With a little love and attention, it is an evolving organism where it can continue to grow and satisfy. To start off with, think about all of the excuses you can come up with as to why it may be too much effort, and all of the reasons why you don’t think it will work in your relationship. Maybe you are too busy with work, the kids have sport and school commitments, or you just can’t find the time...Great, now jump in your partners shoes and have a look. From a glance, how important are those barriers and
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how significant are the excuses? Now that you have kicked those excuses to the curb, let’s have a look at how easy it is to recreate romance into your relationship. I want you to ask yourself one simple question, “what can I do to make my partner feel special?” When your partner is happy because of something you did, how does it make you feel? Do you really know what makes them the happiest? When was the last time you went out of your way to make them feel that way? Think about that special something they love-may it be an experience, a product, an event, a place...whatever it may be, find a creative way to show them that you know what they like and you can put your preferences aside to please them. Especially for women, when she feels that her man has actually listened to her and taken notice of the things she loves, and initiates it himself is extremely attractive and surprisingly pleasing. It is no different for men either. We we want to romance our partner, it is extremely important to know what they like, as it is not always the same as what we like. Ladies, don’t be surprised or resist the reality that his ideal romantic situation is you presenting him with his favorite food, beer and an exciting little glimpse of lingerie peeking out of your blouse with a ckeeky look in your eye. We all know that wonderful feeling when someone has put in the effort to make us feel special. It is exciting, flattering and creates a rippling effect where we ant to return the favor. This is a great habit to get into and can be very rewarding. Many people tend to think that communicating romantic desires with their partner eliminates the excitement and the element of surprise, where it can actually be quite the opposite. Rather then hinting, tell your partner what you would like, and allow them to do it in their own way. It takes a lot of guessing work out of the equation and gives them more of an incentive and will to perform.
- Samantha Krajina
Samantha’s
Valentines Gift Ideas
IDEAS FOR THE MEN:
IDEAS FOR WOMEN:
1. Recreate your honeymoon/anniversary/proposal/first date. Prepare anything from everything right down to the cuisine, the type of outfits you wore and even try and bring out the photos of that day to leave on the table. Putting this kind of effort into Valentine’s Day just for her will mean more than any present you can buy. Take a walk down memory lane and explain to her what you are recreating. Get lost in reminiscing and remembering the good ol’ days!
1. Buy him something for you. Wrap up a sexy new piece of lingerie that you plan on wearing for him and gift it to him as his gift. This will be very exciting for your man, and possibly unexpected which is the extra bonus! Watch his eyes light up when he opens his gift, simply include a sneaky smile and a wink. He would prefer this over any tangible gift you could buy him. The thought of you feeling sexy, looking sexy and surprising him with a gift that you know well that he is going to love, is the most meaningful and memorable gift for your man. 2. Pamper that man. It is no secret that women absolutely love to be pampered and surprised with a hot bath surrounded by candles, a sensual oil massage and treated with delicious food and drinks. Don’t be fooled - for you to turn the tables and gift this to him will go far from unappreciated. Men won’t ask for it - but will LOVE it. Give him exactly what sort of pampering you would like and cater the food and drinks to him… even the choice of music.
2. Engrave a personalised gift. Should you want to buy her a gift that she can have and remember, find something that she loves and engrave it with a beautiful message. This could be anything and don’t be afraid to get creative and make it represent you. Maybe it is a framed photo of the two of you, a copy of your first house key, a piece of jewellery (old or new), or even a locket with your photos inside (this will bring her back to the sort of meaningful presents that were around in younger days).
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Mr Strong Mug $18.00 www.simplygifts.com.au The Big Red Gift Pack $75.00 www.simplygifts.com.au
Churchill Hip Flask $45 www.everythingbutflowers.com
Gifts for Him
Kangaroo Leather Belt $72.95 www.redwrappings.com.au Wine Box Gift Set www.redwrappings.com.au
Leatherman $149.99 www.simplygifts.com.au Mens Gift Pack www.aolcdn.com
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I love You Pillows $30.95 www.links2love.com
Egg Shell Bag $399.00 www.simplygifts.com.au
Flowers $99 www.freshflowersandgifts.com.au
Gifts for her
Smirnoff Gift Pack
Gorgeous Blue Stone earings www.fashionshowon.com
Pink Gift Pack $65.00 www.simplygifts.com.au $49.00 ausfashiononline.com.au
Unique Silver Bracelet www.bodycandy.com
Chanel Gift Pack$148.00 www.chanel.com Hair Straightener www.allwomenstalk.com 17
Outstanding Gift Ideas Mad Millie DIY Cheese
For those of us who are made about cheese There are so many reasons to make food from scratch: you can control what goes into it, so you know youʼre not getting any artificial baddies; it doesnʼt have environment-damaging food miles attached; itʼs usually cheaper; and you get to indulge your creative side! Introducing Mad Millie; the makers of DIY food kits, who recently launched their home-making cheese kits into the Australian market. Now Australianʼs can make delicious artisan foods in their very own home! With Mad Millie cheese-making kits, even the most inexperienced home cooks can create mozzarella, ricotta, mascarpone, quark, cottage cheese, feta, halloumi, cream cheese, cheddar, caerphilly, asiago, gouda, Colby, camembert, double cream brie, stilton style cheese, Neufchatel and blue vein. What more could a cheeselover ask for? The best part about a Mad Millie Cheese Kit is that everything is provided – you wonʼt need to go out in search of obscure, impossible-to-find ingredients – in fact, all you need is milk!
*Beginnerʼs Italian Kit: Mozzarella, ricotta, ricotta salata and mascarpone. RRP: $39.90 *Artisanʼs One Day Cheese Kit: Mozzarella, ricotta, ricotta salata, mascarpone, quark, cottage cheese, feta, halloumi, light cream cheese and French style cream cheese. RRP: $170 *Fresh Cheese Complete Kit: Feta, halloumi, cottage cheese, cream cheese and quark. RRP: $64.90 *Hard Cheese Kit: Farmhouse cheddar, bra, caerphilly, asiago, gouda and Colby. RRP: $169 Specialty Cheese Kit: Camembert, double cream brie, stilton style cheese, French Neufchatel and blue vein. RRP: $135 *Probiotic Yoghurt Kit: Probiotic yoghurt, soy yoghurt, Greek-style yoghurt and yoghurt cheese. RRP: $22
www.madmillie.com/au
Himalayan Salt Lamp
www.inspiremebyjaniceferguson.com.au These beautiful lamps are a unique gift to give to your special someone and come with the added bonus of being soothing and beneficial for your health. Himalayan salt lamps provide relief from hay fever, asthma, allergies and sinus related illnesses. Reduce stress and depression. Increase mental alertness and concentration. Enhance the immune system. Purify the air. Eliminate odors around the home from smoking. Reduce EMF (Electro-magnetic pollution.) Aid in the healing process. Create a soothing, relaxing, calming and refreshing environment. Fissures and irregularities can naturally be present in salt crystal lamps, being made from natural salt crystals the lamps will never be identical.
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Himalayan Salt Love Tea Light $14.95
Himalayan Salt Lamp $59.95
Healthy Treats for your Valentine
Baked Salmon with Cauliflower Skordalia Serves two 2 salmon fillets 2 cloves garlic, crushed Juice of ½ lemon Handful fresh coriander
Cauliflower Skordalia 1 medium cauliflower head ½ cup low-fat ricotta Cracked black pepper 1 clove garlic, crushed Preheat oven to 200°C. Place salmon on an oven tray lined with baking paper. Spread garlic, lemon juice and coriander over each salmon fillet. Bake in oven for 10 minutes. Meanwhile steam/microwave cauliflower until cooked. Combine cauliflower and remaining ingredients and blend with a stick blender until smooth. To serve: spoon skordalia on a plate and top with salmon. Add a serve of steamed green vegetables such as asparagus or broccolini.
Chocolate Mousse Asparagus Fish Fillets
Serves two 4 fish fillets 2 slices low-fat cheese 340g can asparagus spears, drained 4 shallots, finely sliced (optional) Olive oil spray Juice of two lemons Pepper
Serves two 2 egg whites, beaten 2 teaspoons low-fat hot chocolate mix 2 drops vanilla essence Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Melt chocolate mix in a small amount of hot water; allow to cool. Stir through egg white mixture and vanilla essence until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate until set.
Preheat oven to 180°C. Remove skin and bones from the fish, sprinkle with pepper to taste. Cut each slice of cheese in half. Place cheese and asparagus on one end of the fish fillet. Fold other end over and place on an ovenproof dish lined with baking paper. Sprinkle with shallots if desired. Repeat with remaining fish fillets. Squeeze lemon juice over top and squirt with olive oil spray. Cover and bake in oven for 20 minutes or until fish is cooked through.
Raspberry Sorbet
Serves two 4 egg whites, beaten 1 sachet single serve low-joule jelly crystals Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Melt jelly crystals in a small amount of hot water; allow to cool. Stir through egg white mixture until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate until set.
Sally Symonds
Supplied these beautiful, simple healthy recipes. She is the director of “Love Your Weight Loss” and author of three weight loss books.
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We talk with
Jennifer Evans
A new venture by 2012 My Kitchen Rules win-
ner Jennifer Evans, which has taken her back to her Thai heritage, is about to heat things up in the kitchen.
five varieties including Real Panang Curry Paste, Real Mussaman Curry Paste, Real Red Curry Paste and Real Green Curry Paste – all carefully created using hand-grown, natural ingredients.
It’s been busy times for Evans, who since the show, has become mum to three-month-old Harlow, and always dreamed of re-creating the dishes created by her great-grandmother for others to enjoy.
“I wanted to ensure I used growers that I personally knew,” says Evans, who as a child spend hours digging up flowers and herbs in the very region she has sourced ingredients for her new venture.
Now, after months in the fields on the outskirts of Bangkok finding the best growers, and ensuring she accurately replicated the dishes she remembers as a child, she has launched a line of Thai pastes, so intense, they are unlike anything on the market.
“The quality of the ingredients is what allows our pastes to have such an intensity to them, so it’s vital to know where they’re coming from, and it’s of course really important to me to pay homage to my family.
The new range dubbed ‘Jennifer’s Kitchen’ features It hasn’t been an easy road for this passionate 20
foodie, whose family struggled to make ends meet and her mother worked tirelessly to ensure a good education for Evans, who moved to Australia when she was 17. “My mum was the hardest critic. As a young teenager, she did most of the cooking so her mother could work to provide the basics for the family, so she only went to school in the morning and spent all afternoon going to the market and then making curry paste from scratch. “Getting her seal of approval has been very rewarding.” The future is now looking bright for this entrepreneurial home cook, who wants to expand her range to include a Sriracha chili sauce. Her philosophy is simple – source natural handgrown ingredients from growers she knows by name, and create quality products which other keen foodies can then turn into their own winning dishes. Jennifer’s Product Range Jennifer’s Kitchen is a range of premium ‘real’ Thai pastes created by passionate foodie Jennifer Evans, winner of My Kitchen Rules 2012. The pastes are made using Jennifer’s traditional family recipes, from natural, hand-grown ingredients sourced from growers Jennifer knows. The result is an intensity in flavour unlike anything on the market, whether it’s used in a curry, fish cakes or to spice up a stir-fry. Jennifer believes in giving back to the community where she sources her ingredients and has set up ‘Give Us a Future’ – a charity for underprivileged children. Ten per cent of all profits will go to helping children with food, shelter and ensuring they get an education. One of the organisation’s first projects is to aid disadvantaged children in Samut Prakan village, a village near where Jennifer grew up in Bangkok.
Jennifer’s Kitchen products will feature in gourmet delis and major supermarkets in early 2013.
To follow her story more and to check out her website head to www.jenniferskitchen.com.au 21
Entertain in Style
Australia Day
Prawn Salad
This traditional Thai dish is summery, delicious and very healthy. It is great as a starter or a main dish.
Ingredients
Method
1 spring onion, finely sliced 1 lemongrass, finely sliced 1 shallot, finely sliced Handful of mint leaves Handful of coriander 12 fresh prawns 1 tsp vegetable oil Salt and pepper
Salad dressing
1 tbsp Real Chili Jam A pinch of sugar 1 fresh chilli (or add more if you prefer) 2 tsp fish sauce 3 tsp lime juice
*Clean, peel and devein prawns. Season the prawns with salt and pepper. Then add the vegetable oil and toss well. *Grill until they are cooked. It usually takes about three minutes or so. Once done, put the prawns aside. *Mix the salad dressing. Adjust the seasoning to your taste *Mix grilled prawns and fresh herbs , then dress the salad with the dressing and toss well. 22
Recipes by Jennifer Evans www.jenniferskitchen.com.au
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
These yummy, marinated meat pieces on skewers are often sold at street stalls in Thailand. They are sometimes served with thin slices of toast which you then dip into heavenly peanut sauce.
Satay marinade
350g chicken thigh, sliced 1tsp turmeric powder 2tsp curry powder 2tsp white sugar 1tsp soy sauce 1tsp vegetable oil 1tsp salt ½tsp pepper 12-15 bamboo skewers, soaked overnight in water
Satay sauce
50g Real Panang Curry Paste 1 tbsp tamarind paste 1 cup of coconut milk 2 tsp fish sauce 2 tbsp vegetable oil 2.5 tbsp palm Sugar ¼ cup roasted peanuts, finely crushed
Method
For the chicken skewers: Marinade your chicken pieces with the marinade ingredients for at least 2 hours or overnight. For the satay sauce: Fry off Real Panang Curry Paste with vegetable oil over medium heat until fragrant or until the oil turns red. Add in ½ the coconut milk and cook for a further 10 minutes then add the remaining coconut milk and crushed peanuts. Then simmer for a further 10-15 minutes or until thickened. Season the satay sauce with fish sauce, palm sugar and tamarind paste and adjust seasoning to your taste. It should be sweet, salty and sour. To cook the chicken skewers: Place chicken pieces on skewer then cook over low heat ideally on charcoal if you don’t use a griddle pan. Then, generously brush watered-down coconut milk over the skewers and grill until just cooked. Serve with satay sauce.
Pork and Pumpkin Curry
This is a classic Thai curry. The pumpkin’s sweetness adds a pleasant contrast to the saltiness of the curry.
Ingredients
50g Red curry paste 400g pork scotch 375 ml coconut milk 150 ml water 200g of pumpkin 4 kaffir lime leaves, tornone handful of Thai basil 1 ½ -2 tbsp fish sauce1 tbsp palm sugar
Method
*Blanch pork pieces in boiling water until just cooked, then set aside. *Heat the oil over medium fire and fry off the curry paste for a few minutes or until the oil turns red. *Pour 2/3 of the coconut milk into the wok and simmer for 10 minutes or until red oil appears on top. *Add cooked chicken pieces and remaining ingredients except Thai basil and simmer for 7-10 minutes. *Add Thai basil then turn off the heat. Serve with rice.
Aussie Favorites Mr. Beak’s Burger with Parsley Aioli www.mrbeaks.com.au
Burger Ingredients
*4 Mr Beaks classic burger patties *4 aged chedder cheese slices *4 gluten free round bread rolls cut in half *100g mesclun salad mix *2 ripe truss tomatos, sliced *250g beetroot slices *4 pickled gherkins, thinly sliced
Method
Preheat the barbeque to medium heat. Lightly spray the patties with olive oil to prevent them from sticking to the grill. Place the burger patties on once hot and cook on low, turning the patties over once for approximately 2-3 minutes on each side. Place a slice of aged cheddar on each patty and turn off the heat. Spread the base of the bread roll with aioli and layer the mesclun mix, tomatoes, beetroot, burger patty and finish with gherkins on top. Place the top of the roll on and secure with a bamboo skewer. serve the burger with chips or salad.
Aioli Ingredients
1/2 cup loosely packed flat-leaf parsley 1 garlic clove 2 egg yolks 1.5 tsp dijon mustard 2 tbs lemon juice 2/3 cup light olive oil
Method
Place the parsley, garlic, egg yolks, mustard, lemon juice in a food processor, season with salt and pepper and blend until almost smooth. While the processor is running on a low speed, slowly pour the olive oil in until the aioli is formed and has thickened. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate.
Lamb kebabs
www.australianfood.about.com
Ingredients
24
*1 tsp of sea salt *500gms of lamb loin *4 garlic cloves, crushed *Wooden skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes *1/4 cup of lemon juice *1 bulb of garlic, peeled *1/4 cup good quality olive oil *1/4 cup of olive oil *2 Tbsp lemon juice *1 tsp of paprika Method *1 tsp sea salt *1 tsp of cinnamon Cut the lamb into bite-size pieces. In a large bowl, mix the olive oil, crushed garlic, lemon juice, paprika and cinnamon. Mix well and then add the lamb. Coat lamb thoroughly and then cover and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight. Prepare the garlic sauce. Peel the garlic and place in blender. Add the lemon juice and start to blend. Add the salt ancd ontinue to blend. Now add the olive oil in a slow stream while continuing to blend. The sauce should have the consistency of mayonnaise. Cover and refrigerate garlic sauce. Once you’re ready to cook the lamb -- skewer the lamb pieces. Heat the barbecue or grill over a medium-high heat. Cook the lamb skewers in batches for 1 1/2 minutes each side, or until slightly charred. Serve with salad or fresh, crusty bread
My Favorite Australia Day Recipe and it’s healthy!
Recipe by Annette Sym for more recipe ideas Head to www.symplytoogood.com.au
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Brisbane 2013 Jimmy Giggle, Hoot & Friends
Explore-a-saurus
Are coming to the arts centre, Gold Coast for their first ever live show 10-12am, 28th Jan, $39.90
Discover a world of dinosaurs at the Queensland Museum open till 14th April
Boredom Buster
For more info www.qpac.com.au
Fame Holiday workshops singing, dancing, acting on now head to www.fametheatre.com/
www.whatson4littleones.com 26
Bop & sing along
all for a good cause, to help an orphange in India. $10 per family 16, 18, 22, 24th Jan
SYDNEY The Cat in the Hat
Kidpreneur Club - 14 Jan
is a magical witty play. Opera House, showing until 27th Jan
4 day program and 1 market day
MELBOURNE
Fun Languages
school holiday fun. Send them on a cultural, and language experience with out the airfair
Super Soccer Kids - 5 week
holiday program running until the 26th of Jan.
PERTH
Bop Till You Drop’s “Pop
Star Camp” suitable for 5-12 years old. Sing, dance and finish the camp with a concert.
Big wave Surfing School
Sticks, Stones, Broken bones, Shadow puppet melodrama. Bun-
For more info www.thefairies.com
Kids aged from 5 - 17 years
bury Regional Entertainment Centre 31st Jan
www.whatson4littleones.com 27
Littleman Overalls
- by Veronica Jean Sizes 0-3 $24.95
Get Smart!
with your marketing goals for 2013 If your goals look something like... “I want more customers this year” we need to talk! When setting goals for your marketing plan, it is important to ensure that you set objectives that you are able to assess whether or not you have achieved them. You have to ask for exactly what you want because if your goals do not specifically lay out what you want from them, you can hardly complain when you do not achieve what you wanted. So, if you want more customers, if you only gain one new customer this year, have you achieved your goal? Was that what you were meaning?? The principle of creating S.M.A.R.T goals is something that I suggest all business owners understand and implement in all areas of their business.
* To create a S.M.A.R.T goal, the goal must be: Specific – make your goals specific! What do you want to achieve, how and why is this goal important to your business marketing goals? My goal is to create a marketing plan for my small business to ensure I am able to achieve success in 2013. Measureable – make sure your goal is mea-
sureable. Lay out the specific actions that you must undertake to ensure the goal is achieved. Example - I will dedicate 2 hours a week to researching and writing my 2013 Marketing plan.
Attainable – Is the goal achievable? Are your
milestones things that you can ensure can happen? Example – This will be achievable if I dedicate from 9am – 11am every Monday to this goal.
Relevant – Is the goal relevant to your business,
or your role. If it is not relevant, will you truly dedicate the time to achieving it? 30
Example - This is a relevant goal as this marketing plan will form the basis of all of my business goals and objectives for 2013 and as the business owner it is important that I undertake this planning.
Time bound – Make sure you put an end date
on your goal. This way you can assess before the end of your goal if you are going to achieve it and or if you need to reassess any of the other areas of the SMART goal. Example - I will ensure this planning is completed by the beginning of February 2013 to ensure that I can implement it throughout the year. Planning your goals is vital in small business to ensure that you have the road map for your success! Take your time and think carefully about each goal and the elements of it, and most importantly write them down and keep them somewhere that you can see them to ensure you keep yourself accountable! -Joni Edson, SBMPR www.sbmpr.com.au
We would love you to share your goals with us on our Facebook page, head over and tell us what your SMART goals are for your business marketing in 2013. www.facebook/ smallbusinessmarketingandpr
Start your own business and earn extra cash! Hi, I am Sharon McWilliams, mum of three, and I would like to introduce you to The Chefs Toolbox, an exciting direct selling company. The Chefs Toolbox is an Australian owned company which marries fast yet flavoursome recipes with clever kitchenware, to make cooking easier, healthier, faster and a lot more fun! As a consultant you will run your own business, in one of the most enjoyable possible ways with flexible hours working from home and running interactive cooking parties which are very social, informative and a fun way to demonstrate professional kitchenware. Most importantly, you don’t need to be a chef or a professional sales person, just a self starter with a desire to succeed in your own business. The Chefs Toolbox offers you the opportunity for great income, and training and support provided by the team at The Chefs Toolbox to help you create your working freedom!
If you would like to find out more about this exciting opportunity, and are keen to really succeed in running your own business in 2013, please contact me to find out more! Work the hours that suit you
Spend more quality time with your children
Cut down on childcare expenses
Earn an income whilst having flexibility
For more info contact
Sharon McWilliams on 0408 206 220
www.inspiringbusiness.com.au
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TOP TIPS
to choosing a Business Name
& Rebranding
When you have a small business, you need to keep your costs low during the start up phase in order to survive. Presenting yourself as a professional looking business is one thing you really should spend a little money getting right in the beginning. And if you didn’t, then do think about a rebrand before you take your next step to grow.
Choosing a business name
I know this will sound harsh but i literally cringe when i hear a baby or childrens business named after children (and or pets). I’m sorry but it’s a big no no in my book. It just screams “i had kids and decided to make a business out of it”. In other words, it scream small and inexperienced. Yes ok i know there are loads of you out there saying “Well poo to you, i love the fact that i called my business after my kids”. Time to build a bridge and read on.... So the one KEY thing you want to focus on 32
when choosing a brand name is: Does my business name explain what the business does or makes? If someone was to read your business card and have to ask what you do, then you are not achieving your goal. A business name should always be easy to say, spell, write & remember. Here are some great examples of what not to do (these are made up names so as not to offend anyone.) No No’s *Fork Bug - explains nothing about anything *iBot, iRock, iAnything - Don’t jump on someone else’s bandwagon *Sherryn Designs - Overused, screams that you aren’t a real designer *Milly and Poppy - naming after kids / pets screams small biz *Pugatetum - Unfamiliar to pronounce, no one will remember it to Google it. And some good examples (these are real business examples)
*The Commitment Company - A marriage celebrant business - simple, easy to remember and explains what it does *Period Details - A store that sells federation period style homewares and products like period fireplaces *MiniMink - Children’s mink fur accessories - Rolls off the tongue, does what it says on the tin *Holidayrentals.com.au - Uses the perfect keywords that their customers would type into Google OK so what about those huge companies that use made up names like Google and Ebay and Etsy i hear you say? Unless you are reinventing the wheel, i would stick to a finding a name that explains what you do. Google didn’t get where it is today because they picked an obscure name, they got there by being the best at what they do and by having a great marketing plan.
Inpiration from Amy’s facebook page www.facebook.com/aimless.designs
Old Logo
New Logo
Rebranding
OK so you went ahead and picked a crappy name already and now you wish you could fix it but you feel like you will lose your whole customer base if you change it? False. Rebranding can (if done correctly) take your business to a new level. Rebranding is not necessarily changing your name, it might be just changing your logo, colour scheme and fonts used on all your marketing materials. In order to rebrand effectively, it is important to get a graphic designer to do it with you. Trying to do it yourself if you have no training in graphic design and marketing WILL send you even further down that creek without a paddle.
Case Study
Amy had a little business called Aimless Designs - handmade greeting cards. After discovering that blogging about her business and crazy life was taking off more than the cards were, she needed a new approach to her business that incorporated her blog about being a mum to 3 boys, her other passion cooking and her creative business. Amy decided on a new name for her blog “Adventures of a Crazy Mumma”. As a blog name, it tells me exactly what this blog is going to be about - hilarious antics. So it gets my tick for a good name choice. Taking inspiration from Amy’s facebook page, here’s how we came up with a rebrand for Amy’s business.
Notice that the new design is very similar to the old one so as not to completely confuse customers but looks fresh and professional. I felt that Amy’s creative business still needed to be kept a separate entity and so i developed a separate logo that she could use for her Aimless Designs facebook page.
New Blog Header
New Blog Logo
- Nicole Herrick founder of Kids Style Hub and The Australian Alliance of Designers and Retailers. To check out her blog head to http://kidsstylehub.blogspot.com.au/ 33
When you can only see the bigger picture
So often we hear of people not keeping in mind the bigger picture. But what about the dreamers; the creative souls that have a burning passion to reach for the stars, that know what their calling is, but don’t know how to get started? When you’re working from the heart space and chasing your true calling, I know it’s sometimes hard to put the feelings and the “knowing-ness” of the bigger picture (“I know I should be doing this, but I don’t know why, how or where to start”) into tangible steps, but it is a process you need to go through. Check in with the intuition regularly by taking a breath now and then to see whether you’re on the right track with what feels right and then take the following steps:
service/information to you customer. Work out who your customer is and how you’re going to get them to know about you (you need not spend hundred or thousands of dollars). How are you going to make money? Where does your customer hang out? How does he/she like her information delivered?
If you decide that you want to start with building your online profile via blogging, or other forms of social media, start right there. Maybe you’re into networking face to face. Or maybe you need to start with registering a domain name and website. Start with the basics. As you do so you build you brand, your following/customer base and your business. Remember that saying you’ve gotta start somewhere? If you’ve come 1. START WITH WHAT YOU KNOW this far, you can pat yourself on the back as you When starting out in business or embarking on a just started somewhere. Now the key is to just new venture you won’t always have crystal clear keep going. steps on exactly how you’re going to get to where you need to go. In saying that, it is important to 4. HAVE PATIENCE have some a plan, having done some research It’s all about the slow burn. Instant gratification into what you’re doing, and what your intention, is not always part of business. You’re building goals and objectives are. You need to run the an empire, a fountain of wealth, and a way to numbers. If you don’t at least have those steps put your creativity and passion into the world. in check, go back and tick them off as they are You will make errors of judgement (ahem, some your basic fundamentals. When you’re following people call them “mistakes”) along the way but your intuition and guidance you’ll usually find know that’s ok. that these things all stack up for you. In any case, Vanessa Carnevale once you do that you can start thinking about 5. DON’T BE SCARED TO GET CREATIVE how to turn your business idea into reality. Life Coach, Small Try new things, think outside the square. Be bold. Business Coach, KeyTrust that what you’re doing is right. If you take note Speaker & Writer 2. GET CLEAR the time to get to know your customer and do This kind of overlaps with the above. Work to read more about out the basics on what you’re offering and how authentic business by being your authentic self, vanessa head to you’re already part way there. www.vanessacarnevale.com you’re going to offer your amazing product/
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Contratulations to Elise Easdown for her recent
business accomplishment in the Practical Parenting Magazine Mumpreneur Awards! Elise was awarded chosen last November. Mumpreneur Awards recognise the achievements of women who have managed to run a successful business from home and balance work with family life. The awards acknowledge the achievements of Australia’s best and brightest entrepreneurs in the mumpreneur industry. Elise Easdown from Brisbane and owner of What’s On 4 – Australia has been named as the winner of 2012 Practical Parenting Mumpreneur Awards.
www.whatson4littleones.com.au www.whatson4schoolkids.com.au www.whatson4kidsparties.com.au
The award winning online directories (www.whatson4littleones.com.au, www. whatson4schoolkids.com.au and www. whatson4kidsparties.com.au) were created while Elise was on maternity leave and saw the challenges there was in finding local events, activities, groups and services for families. After realising that she didn’t want to return to the work force and be away from her young children, Elise decided to go into her business herself and create a role she could do from home.
and contribute to the family financially. It does mean some juggling is required but as it is my own business I can put systems in place to make it work – most of the time”. I wouldn’t have got that flexibility in a 9-5pm position”. It can be challenging to be a successful business woman whilst raising a family and Elise Easdown gives this advice for others thinking about starting their own enterprise. ”Do your market research and think through the time it is going to take to initiate and then develop your business. Start-ups can be expensive and if you are relying on money coming in straight away, you may be disappointed. Late nights and work on the weekends are part of being a working mother in business so you need to be okay with that as do those around you, especially your partner”. Elise was the lucky winner and received $5000 to help her business, plus a Maclaren Techno XLR Stroller valued at $629.95.
There are many benefits to balancing business and motherhood Elise Easdown explains, “I love the flexibility the business has given me. I can be available for my children when they need me but also give myself the opportunity to feel productive
What’s Happening on...
For more information head to www.ourbribie.com
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Thank you
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