What is your name?
Johanna Baker-Dowdell
What is your business name?
Strawberry Communications
What industry is your business in?
Writing & Public Relations
Where are you based?
Launceston, Tasmania
How long have been in business?
Five years
Is it a full-time or part-time business?
Full time
Did you start your business before or after becoming a mum/step-mum?
I freelanced before becoming a mum, but launched Strawberry Communications afterwards.
Why did you start your business?
I wanted to continue working to keep my brain stimulated while looking after a baby and be able to contribute something to the family income.
What has been your biggest triumph in business?
Taking the business from a part-time operation to full time while losing one income when my husband left his corporate job to become a full-time dad to out two boys.
What was your biggest mistake in business?
Not issuing contracts to clients in the beginning because I trusted everybody. I got burnt badly by two clients and learnt the hard way.
What is the one piece of advice you wish you’d been given about running a business with children when you started out?
Children pick up on stress really easily – and even feed off it – so try and keep it under control if you want to be able to get anything done in that situation.
Name your top three business successes
1. Gaining national and international coverage for my clients.
2. Being asked to speak about promoting business at a number of events.
3. Being a finalist in the Home Based Business Awards 2010 and Business Achiever Awards 2009.
What are you passionate about?
My family, telling stories and good journalism.
What’s the one thing you can never resist?
Stationery and book stores.
Who inspires you?
My children and husband personally and amazing business women like Anita Roddick and Naomi Simpson.
What is the song that gets you fired up?
Oh What a Night by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
What is your favourite quote?
“If music be the food of love, play on.” ~ Shakespeare
Contact Johanna
Website: www.strawberrycommunications.com.au
Twitter: @JohannaBD and @bizbabyonboard
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/Johanna.BakerDowdell and http://www.facebook.com/StrawberryCommunications
LinkedIn: http://au.linkedin.com/in/johannabakerdowdell
