What is your name?
Lynnelle Richardson
What is your business name?
5 Small Stones
What industry is your business in?
Primarily website design, but I also cross over into graphic design and helping businesses develop their online and offline brand.
Where are you based?
Kingaroy, Qld
How long have been in business?
Just over 18 months
Is it a full-time or part-time business?
Pretty well full-time – it’s all I do! However, after 3pm my productivity levels drop due to family demands.
Did you start your business before or after becoming a mum/step-mum?
After becoming a mum.
Why did you start your business?
A series of events resulting in my resignation from a management position 18 months ago was the catalyst in pursuing a career that was more about me, and not what people expected I should do. I am capable of doing a broad range of office/management tasks but I LOVE the creativity side of my nature. Starting my own business has given me:
· the flexibility that I was looking for in the workplace
· a better work/life balance
· the chance to be there for my children
· the chance to make my own decisions regarding my future
· the chance to focus on what I want to do, not what I felt was expected.
· the ability to make choices about my future
I have worked casual and part-time jobs since my children were born and it is hard to find a job that allows you to find the right balance. For me, I easily become consumed in my work and pour all of my energy into my job. I give far more than is expected, take on too much and then my family suffers. I decided if I am going to put that amount of commitment and dedication into a job, it might as well be for myself and my family. This way I am in control, I dictate the pace and there is a far better work/life balance. Mum is no longer a ranting, raving, hormonal female that rushes in and out of the house.
What has been your biggest triumph in business?
Achieving a greater than expected growth in clientele due to my reputation within the business community. Every week I am amazed by the continual level of enquiries for my services. 99 per cent of the jobs I quote on I receive. My clients refer people to me. I don’t need to advertise, I have more work than I ever imagined, to the point where I am currently talking with freelance designers to outsource sections of work to cope with demand. I no sooner finish a job and two more come in.
What was your biggest mistake in business?
I was too scattered in my approach when I started the business and underestimated the demand that existed for website design. After six months, I restructured the business so that the primary focus is now on design and other services support this.
What is the one piece of advice you wish you’d been given about running a business with children when you started out?
When working from home and juggling family, you need to be realistic with the amount of available time you have to put into the business. With my family, my productive hours are between 9am and 3pm – anything outside of these hours are a bonus.
Name your top three business successes
Growth
Revenue
Reputation
What are you passionate about?
Helping other business to achieve success
What’s the one thing you can never resist?
Opportunity
Who inspires you?
There is no one person, just life itself. I see the actions of others, the success of another and dream of what I can be.
What is the song that gets you fired up?
Dream Big by Emily Shakelton
http://www.motivational-well-being.com/david-cook.html
It sums me up perfectly – after 42 years, I am only now starting to believe in who I am and what I can accomplish. I am ALWAYS looking for more – this is my driving force!
What is your favourite quote?
“Aim for the moon, even if you miss you will land amongst the stars” ~ Les Brown
Contact Lynnelle
Website: www.5smallstones.com.au
