Tell us a little about the person behind the business? I am 30 years old and mother to a 5 month baby girl. I am nearing the end of my maternity leave. For the past nine years I have been working at Inala, a Rudolf Steiner Organisation for Adults with Intellectual Disability. Just before I fell pregnant, I began the very early stages of my massage, pranic healing and teaching business from home.
And now a little about the business itself? Women Building Women offers cheap and low cost advertising in our online directory for Australian work at home parents and people with micro businesses.
We also offer free networking through social media (facebook and twitter) and free bi-monthly networking meetings on the Central Coast, NSW. Our meetings are child friendly and we support breastfeeding.
How did you come up with your business name? I came up with name in a moment of inspiration. The moment the name came to me it was very clear that it was the name that was meant to be. I was not able to think of another name that was positive, inspiring, encouraging and reflected exactly what Women Building Women is all about – Women networking, helping and supporting each other.
What made you want to begin a WAH business and how did you get started? In 2009 I had completed my pranic healing and massage studies, both modalities I chose to help people. I chose to do the healing and massage from home as it was flexible and beneficial for having a family.
In October 2010 I began preparing to focus on my Abundance of Life healing business when my maternity leave finished in January 2011.
I contacted a few local business networking groups, however at this stage I was not in a position to go to their meetings due to having the baby and balancing my work with times my husband was not at work.
After speaking to other mothers, it seemed I was not the only mother in my position.
It began clear to me that I could do something to help bring mothers together and network for their WAH businesses. then created a facebook page and a basic website that had some WAHMs advertising.
Initially Women Building Women was voluntary and non-profit, however the time and cost to organise and run it began increasing. The directory facebook group began to grow and so did the directory. I made the decision to purchase proper directory software and close my Women Building Women non-profit page and re-opened it as a local business page. The new directory officially launched on December 15th.
What motivates you to keep your business going? Knowing that I can contribute to helping WAHMs by providing them with another option for free and very low cost networking and advertising for their businesses.
Often when building a WAHM business there are many reasons why a mum (or dad) may not be able to attend local business networking meetings
1. Very young child who is still breastfeeding.
2. Still in the early stages of building up her WAHM business and not in the position to pay for child care yet.
3. Balancing her WAHM business hours with her husbands/partners work hours.
4. She may also be balancing her WAHM business with working casual or part-time as a paid employee.
5. A WAHM may not be in the financial position to pay for business networking memberships or luncheons.
Although there are many networking groups that are very beneficial for so many WAHMs, there are many reasons why some WAHMs may not be able to become a member of a local networking group or attend their meetings. Trying to fill this gap and provide an avenue for WAHM networking that is flexible, child friendly and breastfeeding friendly motivates me to do Women Building Women.
Do you have a current best-selling product or service? Women Building Women is still in the early stages, over time I will be more able to tell what is our most popular service.
How do you advertise your business and which methods have proven more successful? I am currently trying a range of different advertising to find out what is most beneficial for Women Building Women. At the moment I am advertising with the following:
1. Facebook – Women Building Women page and other Small Business and WAHM pages.
2. Twitter
3. Online Business Directories – True Local, Hot Frog, Shopseek 4. WAHP & WAHM sites such as Support a WAHP.
5. Brochures
6. Networking with local WAHMs and business networking groups.
How do you juggle your family and your WAH business? Any tips for other WAHP’s? Keep the passion and vision as the driving force behind my business and balancing it with research, planning and being organised.
Remaining positive, patient and constant with my aims and efforts.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start a WAH business?
1. Research your idea, what is involved in setting up, who is your target market.
2. Look at how your competitors are operating their business.
3. Talk to people about your ideas and get some advice.
4. Remain positive patient and consistent in your aim and efforts and your business will gradually grow.
Website URL: http://
Facebook URL:
Location: Australia Wide
If you have had the pleasure of dealing with this business, please feel free to leave a review in the comments below.
(You can read more Spotlight interviews here. If you would like to see your business ‘In the Spotlight’ , please click here or more information.)
About Cas McCullough
