Strawberry Communications - Writing & PR with Johanna Baker-Dowdell

Starting a business with a baby

November 20th, 2008 | Business Tips | No comments.

This article was written for Flying Solo. Have a look here. The first few weeks as a first time parent are filled with fear and questions, but then you relax and start to think about the future. In many ways it’s the ideal time for acting on that great business idea and starting a business.Like many solo businesses, mine started to fit in with a change in circumstances - the birth of my son in May 2006. Before then I was freelancing and working full-time. When I finished my contract and was faced with finding work around being a mum, I decided freelancing from home was the best solution. And I didn’t have to put up with any more office politics!My solution of starting a business worked so well for me as I am fortunate enough to have parents who were willing to look after my son for two days a week.As my business grew I knew I needed more than two days to work and investigated childcare options. My son now happily goes to “school” two days a week and looks forward to his days with “Granny and Poppy” and “Pa and Nanny”.My husband and I agreed I would limit working at evenings and weekends so we could spend time together as a family, but I know many successful business parents who wait until their children are asleep and then start work.The point is that being a solopreneur means you can work to suit yourself.As I started a business that only needed a little initial investment, I didn’t have to budget costs. I already had a computer, pens, notepads, phone and a car and needed nothing else when I started out. The same went for getting advice from business advisers, accountants or solicitors, but I did need to check whether I had to register for GST (I wasn’t earning enough!).Initially operating under my own name, I decided last year I wanted a “proper” business and so registered a business name, commissioned a designer for a logo and business cards and set up a website. I haven’t looked back since and can now afford to be picky about the work I take on.However, I did learn some valuable lessons as I navigated being starting a business and becoming a mum at the same time.1. Young babies never sleep for as long as you’d like, making it tricky for you to finish that important project;2. Putting clients first means it is inevitable that you will need to work some nights or weekends because there are always days that don’t go to plan, especially when children are involved;3. Be careful about saying “yes” to every project that comes your way when starting out because not every client is right for you or your business;4. Factor in time to get out and speak to other business owners, both parents and non-parents, so you can share experiences - both professional and those that involve mashed vegetables.5. Never beg a child to go to sleep so you can work - they sense desperation and feed off it.6. If you have to work while your child/ren is with you, let them play where you can still see them from your office/desk/corner of the dining table or take advantage of hour-long DVDs.When I have our second child in January 2009 I know there will be huge upheaval in my business and household, but I am prepared for change and know the new experiences will add to me as a business owner as well as a mother.

Save Money and Eat Healthier by Growing Your Own Produce

November 5th, 2008 | Latest News | No comments.

In the current tough economic environment everyone is looking for ways to cut their costs - and what better way to make savings than to grow your own produce?mygreenpatch is a new DIY produce patch business, launched this week to help Australians grow some of their own food, reap the health benefits from eating untreated and ripe produce; and save money in the process.Started by Harvey Baker-Dowdell after years of disappointment at the produce options presented at supermarkets, mygreenpatch is based at Wamberal on the NSW Central Coast.”I was sick of buying tasteless tomatoes that were pink instead of the ripe red they should be, and I couldn’t believe it when broccoli was $8 a kilo at my local Woolworths. I knew I could do better and started a small vegetable patch in my backyard,” Harvey explained.”Soon my thumbs were greener and I wanted to expand my patch to grow everything I could, from tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower to pumpkins, rhubarb and passionfruit.”It was such a thrill harvesting my own produce as we needed it and when I talked to friends about what I was doing they all said they wanted to grow their own fruit and vegetables too, but didn’t have space or time. That got me thinking and I started working on plans for three different produce patches - one to suit everyone, whether they lived on an acreage or in an apartment” he said.Many families spend around $30 a week on fruit and vegetables, which is more than $1500 a year. Even after the initial patch investment, customers will be saving themselves money by growing their own produce within a matter of months.mygreenpatch offers three patch sizes: myproducepatch (2400×1200mm), mystarterpatch (1200×600mm) and myherbpatch/mykidspatch (600×600mm) to suit backyard or veranda gardens. Each kit comes with timber, soil, tools, instructions and seedlings - everything needed to get started growing your own produce. Prices start from $250 including delivery.”What better feeling is there, than going outside on a balmy summer evening and picking the basic salad ingredients from your own produce patch - lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, spring onions and herbs?” Harvey asked.Having your own produce patch is also a great way to educate children about where food comes from - and what it should really taste like!”My two-year-old son loves helping me plant the seedlings, water our patches, pick snow peas and dig up potatoes. He will grow up eating organic produce we have grown ourselves and I can see he’ll want his own patch soon,” Harvey said.The website, www.mygreenpatch.com.au, is constantly being updated with news on what to plant when, Harvey’s blog and The Allotment - a community-based forum where mygreenpatch users can compare notes, swap seeds, solve pest problems and much more.For more information about mygreenpatch log on to www.mygreenpatch.com.au or call Harvey Baker-Dowdell on 0438 267 777.

Mingara Makes Another Significant Contribution to the Community

October 28th, 2008 | Latest News | No comments.

Mingara members and the Central Coast community have eagerly watched the Tumbi Umbi construction site for several months and now Mingara One Fitness, Aquatics and Wellness is open for business.Stage 1 of the project, awarded to Stevens Constructions and worth $5.5 million, has provided Mingara members and Central Coast community with one of the finest fitness centres in Australia. Members now have more equipment, classes, aquatic facilities and expert advice at their disposal than ever before. Stage 2, due for completion in February next year, will include Wellness practitioners, with this additional construction taking the bill to around $7.75 million.Mingara chief executive officer, Paul Barnett said community reaction to the new centre had been very positive and thanks to the expert team at Stevens Constructions, the project was completed within budget and on time.”Our members are very pleased with the new Centre. They wanted more classes, longer opening times and more cardio equipment. All these requests have been accommodated. Our group fitness classes now number over 100 and we have extended our hours of operation to 10pm to cater for those who commute for work, like to work out after dinner and for shift workers,” he said.”Mingara One is now nearly three times its original size and offers members over 104 cardio fitness pieces and 133 pieces of strength equipment. The centre is over two levels and includes Mingara One Aquatics and Mingara One Swim School.”"Over the past 12 months, membership of Mingara One has grown by 41 per cent and this is testament to our decision to diversify our product and improve fitness and wellness facilities for the Central Coast community,” Mr Barnett said.While the fitness complex was designed for Mingara members it also provides an outstanding training facility for elite athletes across the Central Coast and is the official training centre of the Central Coast Mariners. In conjunction with the Central Coast Academy of Sport and the NSW Institute of Sport, Mingara One sponsors up to 25 aspiring athletes developing their talents and helping them achieve their best.”Few fitness centres offer such a comprehensive program of activities and equipment for such a wide range of users groups. We are proud to provide such an outstanding facility to the Central Coast community,” Mr Barnett said.