Here, we ask the tough questions.
Who, or what, is your biggest inspiration?
My mum. Mum has dementia now so a lot of this is lost but she was a humble farmer's wife who knew the hardship of the land, the seasons and the extreme highs and lows. She kept the men in our family buoyant and raised a family. She did this all with tolerance and grace. She was a remarkable lady and although she didn’t have her career in business, she demonstrated so many qualities that keep so many small business people at the top of their game.
When meeting someone, would you rather they thought you were charming or mysterious? Why?
Charming. I probably wouldn’t have the patience for mysterious!
What's the biggest thing you've learnt this year?
I have learnt that it takes more than a gorgeous product, a beautiful, easy to use website and reasonable prices to make an online store work. I have learnt about the king that is SEO.
What’s your number one stress relief tactic (keep it clean!)?
Tidy - get back the perfectly clean desk with pens in their container etc. Yes, it is dreadfully OCD but it is what gets me de-stressed.
What’s the biggest challenge you face at work?
Knowing enough about everything that small business throws at you. Or knowing someone that knows enough about the topic at hand to get you through, or being able to find enough good written material to help.
What music are you listening to at the moment?
John Mayer. I have been lost in his music for years.
What is the one regret you do not want to have in this lifetime?
I could have tried, but I didn’t have the guts. Research it, talk to others, research it again and then jump!
What inspires you most about your work?
To get it right. To have a business that delivers you financial freedom whilst allowing you to learn something new every day.
What do you love most about running your own business?
Customers, I love a challenge. How do you appeal to all the different people out there and get it right, with most to the point where they are thrilled with your business?
There are no wrongs or rights – it can all be tried!
If your office caught fire, what would you grab first? What would you toss into the flames?
The first thing I would grab would be my personal organiser, I just love stationery! I would toss into the flames my unfinished BAS statement.
If you could improve one thing about your work, what would it be?
I think it would be to find the perfect business partner. I know this is ‘flying solo’ but of late I have felt isolated in the small business community. I read a quote that just like a married couple can achieve more than a single, so too can a good partnership. I would love someone to toss around ideas with at times, and share the journey. I have been told this feeling will pass. Maybe it’s time I start networking more in the business community or find a mentor.
How would you describe yourself in three adjectives?
Effervescent (yes, this should probably be reserved for a bottle of bubbly!), creative and organised.
And now comes the plug!
What do you do? Who for? And how does it benefit them?
We are a small online retailer that sells gorgeous babies and children’s bed linen and homewares to Australian mums. Our collections grow with your baby - from newborns and our beautiful Moses Baskets, right through to cot bed linen, and single beds for the bigger kids. If you don’t have kids, we can bet you will need to buy for someone that does sometime soon, we also have a no-thinking gift range for babies too. We help create ‘Precious Rooms for Precious People’.
And where can we find out more?
- Flying Solo Directory: www.flyingsolo.com.au/directory/32148/Cloverlea-Designs
- My website: www.cloverleadesigns.com.au
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/CloverleaDesigns
Want your turn in the spotlight?
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