Here, we ask the tough questions.
You’ve got a free half hour during your work day. What do you do?
Grab my runners and the dog and head down to the beach for a quick walk.
What’s the cheapest, most effective bit of marketing you’ve ever done?
Nearly ten years ago when I started my business I didn’t have the money for a website. A friend gave me a copy of Frontpage (an old web development program) and I taught myself how to use it. It was one of the most stressful things I’ve ever done but was ultimately, the most rewarding. That homemade website has lasted all these years and it now ranks really well in Google.
What’s the one resource you’d never be without?
Lisa Beavan - PA extraordinaire - who goes above and beyond every day and who has the best sense of humour. She’s fun and professional. The perfect combination.
What’s the biggest challenge you face at work?
Finding time for all of the things I want to do. I’m my own worst enemy - I’m always thinking of something new I can do which sometimes means that I don’t do enough ‘stopping to smell the roses’.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever been given?
Do what you love.
What talent do you most wish you possessed?
Anything to do with music. To be able to sing, dance really well or play piano beautifully.
What music are you listening to at the moment?
Ray la Montagne, Jimmy Little, Alexi Murdoch, Stacey Kent, Louis & Ella.
What is the one regret you do not want to have in this lifetime?
Not having enough time for the people I love.
What do you love most about running your own business?
Everything. I love the opportunity to be creative, I love the autonomy, I love the fact that I’ve met the most incredible people. And the fact that there are no rules.
What book are you reading?
I always have a few on the go. Enchantment by Guy Kawasaki, A Path with Heart by Jack Kornfield, I’m re-reading The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak and I’m re-listening to Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones on my iPod. All are great.
How would you describe yourself in three adjectives?
Energetic, compassionate and curious.
Do you subscribe to any magazines or newspapers?
Dumbo Feather, Gourmet Traveller & The Age.
And now comes the plug!
What do you do? Who for? And how does it benefit them?
Through my business coaching and life coaching, I work with the concepts of mindfulness, creativity and authenticity to help people change their lives. The programs I run are either one-on-one; workshops for the general public (meditation, life direction, balance) or keynote presentations for corporates. I work mostly with creative people. Those who work corporates are in fairly senior roles; others are running their own creative businesses. Most say they feel more confident of where they are heading, more self aware and more relaxed after they finish a program.
And where can we find out more?
- Flying Solo Directory: http://totalbalance.flyingsolo.com.au/
- My website: www.totalbalance.com.au
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/total_balance
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/totalbalancegroup
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