Motivating Mum

Guest post by Alison Bolakis of Mums Who Make

An inspiration to me is, and has been for the past 15 years, Anita Roddick – founder of the The Body Shop.

I remember reading her book many times during my teenage years. If she were here today I would love to sit down and chat with her!

I love how she created something from nothing – from small beginnings on the kitchen bench in her home to a multi billion dollar industry. And her whole concept of reusing and recycling, which was a huge part of her business never changed, even when she made it big! She created, believed and inspired people – she inspired me.

I have made things for as long as I can remember – I like to call myself a true crafter. Dabbled in just about everything, mastered a few, completely stuffed just as many – I am passionate about my work, and have set goals and so far so good.

The latest thing I have ‘made’ is Mums Who Make, an Australian online directory. A place to easily find handmade products, craft supplies and classes, local markets, retail stores that support handmade and DIY projects.

MWM was almost a year in the making, and during that time it was easy to lose focus & motivation, but just as Anita did I have a dream and plan and have stuck to it. Now I only hope MWM continues on the same trajectory as The Body Shop and maybe one day, someone will be writing a blog about me!

Alison is founder of Mums Who Make and mum to 3 kiddies, is a doting wife, maid, cook, taxi, gardener, nurse, bum changer, self taught web designer, business woman! (lol)

Guest post for Mummy Mentoring Month by Leah Klugt, The Golden Goose

No matter your age or how long you’ve been in business, I believe you can always use the mentoring skills of someone else. It’s one of the particular things that drives me to further personal and business success. There’s always something to learn, and therefore someone to learn it from. Nothing is new under the sun, and it’s always helpful to walk in someone else’s footprints!

In my grand imagination, I could picture being mentored by Richard Brandson. While I may not agree with the way he lives life, he’s surely someone I would love to have a large chat to about my business, what’s driven him, and how he’s gotten from A to B. He’s practically the world’s most successful entrepreneur, and does it so well! It seems everything he touches flourishes, and the range of industries that he’s influencing are vast.

In a more realistic setting, it’s helpful to have a mentor from your industry, but also at least one outside your industry. I have a friend who’s fantastic to bounce ideas around, and regularly “workshop” issues. This kind of relationship is particularly useful when you’re a ‘solopreneur’ and work alone.

Leah Klugt is the owner of the NSW design firm – The Golden Goose Design Studio. Leah is particularly passionate about businesses; branding them, nurturing them, seeing them grow and maintaining long lasting relationships with them. She loves interacting with interesting people, pursuing her dreams, renovating and discovering bargains. She is also the co-founder of the soloist’s Christmas event – Jolly Solo, run annually in North Sydney.

A guest post for Mummy Mentoring Month by Amanda Cox, Real Mums

I’ve had some terrible luck with mentor’s of late; people I truly admire and look up to, who have taken me under their wing have let me down.

I don’t mean to shirk responsibility or make excuses or lay blame, because the truth of it is, stuff happens and sometimes things fall apart for people. They get sick, or their father dies, or their son is diagnosed with autism and their whole world changes.

Of course, then my relationship with them does, too.

Given a Terrible Year In Mentor’s, I’m in a Doubting Thomas spot – why do we need one and what good are they if they’re going to let you down?!

Mentors are extremely important when you embark on the starting your own business path. Don’t dismiss the idea because “stuff happens”! It does and will to everyone.

So, that in mind, I’ve been wandering around inside my own brain and discovered a Hidden Mentor. The Mentor In Me – or in You as the case may be.

She’s one worth taking note of, because she can be incredibly inspirational and motivational.

What I discovered about her was that she has quietly achieved things, amidst a torrent of criticism, condemnation and negativity.

She has set and reached goals. She has stepped way out of her comfort zone, despite being told she can’t, and not only survived but flourished. She has faced the fear and done it anyway, she’s been knocked down, but she always gets up, dusts herself off and keeps going.

She has the ability to see when the path ahead is a dead end, take risks, try new things, and find a new, more appropriate and successful path.

Sure, she may have a screaming tantrum every now and again, but she wipes her tears away, asks for the help she needs, researches what needs researching and gets on with it.

She is you; that person that doesn’t listen to those around her, and most importantly, she ignores those voices in her head telling you you aren’t good enough, wont’ be able to do it and should just give up.

Whilst she may not be a “mentor” in the true sense of the word as we understand it, she is still definitely worth acknowledging and listening to every now and again.

After all, she is the one that has done the work and has the experience. You can learn from her.

Written by Amanda Cox (aka Mad Cow, mum to 3 boys, writer, speaker, author and founder of reality parenting support website and safe haven for Australian Mums www.realmums.com.au

Guest post for Mummy Mentoring Month by Kim Coronica, Restauranter Extraordinaire!

As much as I believe in the concept of mentoring, I myself have never had the privilege of having someone to confide in, bounce off, vent to, cry on, or any of those advantages of having your own mentor. My belief in the concept is so strong that I even implemented a mentoring program at Richmond Hill Cafe & Larder to provide such benefits to each of my staff, a hugely successful and much appreciated program.

If I did have the opportunity to hand select a mentor, without a doubt I would choose author, celebrity chef and eminent restaurateur, Christine Manfield.

I first came face to face with Christine Manfield at a guest chef dinner some 6 years ago. I remember the grace in which she gave her time to everyone in the restaurant, navigating her way around every table, each filled with journalists, critics, celebrities, chefs, the who’s who of Melbourne’s elite and other budding restaurateurs, just like myself. She would have spent no more than 5 minutes at our table, courteously presenting herself and welcoming our own introductions. Here I was shaking hands with one of Australia’s highest regarded chefs and, needless to say, I was a little in awe.

The only thing better than meeting your idol is meeting them again, or in my case, having them recount your first greeting. “I’m Kim Coronica”, I re-introduced myself 5 years later to the familiar judge on the panel for The Electrolux Appetite for Excellence, Young Restaurateur of the Year. “I know”, she replied, looking at me through her trademark, square shaped, black spectacles, “we met five years ago at Circa.” My jaw practically hit the ground in front of me. I have never been paid a higher compliment then being simply remembered by the woman I held in the highest of regard and consider to be the be all and end all of the Australian restaurant industry.

Following this second meeting and a beautiful lunch together, I discovered that not only was this celebrated restaurateur a huge success, she was a charismatic, warm and generous woman who was only too happy to share her wealth of knowledge.

With the exception of our two encounters and a particularly encouraging and heartfelt email, Christine has never personally coached me on how to run a successful business, nor has she sat me down one on one to help direct my path. It has been from a distance, and for the most part, unbeknownst to her, that she has subliminally influenced the way I cook, the way I write, the way I conduct myself and the way I motivate others. My goal is to live my life and pursue my career in such a way that I too may have that same impact on other budding restaurateurs someday.

Kim Coronica, voted Electrolux Appetite for Excellence Young Restaurateur of the Year 2010, and amongst the ‘Top 100 Most Influential’ by the ‘The Age (Melbourne) Magazine’, has run jointly run; Umago in Brunswick St, Hush-Hush in Camberwell, Richmond Hill Café & Larder, Florentine and Sapore (amongst others) all before the age of 36.

She has just launched http://foodandtravelco.com.au with partner Greg Feck. Together they offer café/restaurant consulting, private dinners, cheese & wine workshops, recipes, food tours, travel blogs and soon to be cooking demonstrations out of their newly built cooking school in Hawthorn East. In the meantime, she is keeping one eye open for a new site for her next restaurant.

Guest post for Mummy Mentoring Month by Nicky Arthur, Happier Mums

Learning from likeminded people will help you on your way to success and happiness.

There are two common ways to learn. We can use the slow and imprecise method of trial and error, or we can expedite the process, and inevitably get a better outcome, by learning from the experts and utilising the skills and knowledge of a mentor.

A mentor is simply someone who has been there and done it. They have the experience, the desire and the ability to help you reach your goals in a time efficient and productive manner.

Often your mentor is right in front of you. When you have clarity on what it is you want to achieve the right people show up. The key is to recognise the opportunity and then be courageous enough to ask for help. Even better ask them to be your mentor!

Make sure you choose your mentor wisely. Are they successful and happy? Do they walk their walk? Is their business or field of expertise the right fit for you and your work?

You will find most affluent, happy and successful people love to help and mentor others. Learn and absorb as much as you can from your mentor’s experience. Their wealth of knowledge will teach you valuable lessons on your journey. You will still have to do the work and make your own mistakes. There are no short cuts to success but having a mentor will keep you focused and guide you along the way.

When you have reached your goals and become a master of your profession, you may be asked to mentor others. This creates the ebb and flow effect, giving and receiving. I personally believe this is one of the important traits of being happy and successful. We are here to live, to learn and to give back to others.

Nicky Arthur is an author, workshop presenter, motivational speaker and yoga teacher.
Author of ‘How to be a Happier Mum’, a book based on her personal journey as a mother, Nicky is also a regular blogger and newspaper and magazine contributor.