The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Navigating the business landscape: As a new business owner, never owning a business before, I faced challenges in understanding the regulatory requirements, legal framework, and the market. Overcoming these challenges required research, networking, and seeking advice from mentors and business advisors.
Funding and financial sustainability: Starting with little finances was certainly a challenge. I sought a loan to start the business and have been lucky enough to receive grants to support the growth of Baby First Aid QLD.
Building brand awareness: Establishing the brand, attracting customers, and standing out can be challenging. I had to develop a marketing strategy and create brand awareness.
I am finding nearly 3 years down the track, people are starting to know that my business exists.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
As well as all the positives of running your own business, there can be challenging aspects to it too, such as:
Financial risk: Starting a business involves financial risk, including initial investment, operational costs, and the possibility of not generating enough revenue to sustain the business.
Long hours: The hours are long, including evenings and weekends, especially during the initial stages of starting a business. There is behind the scenes in the home office and travel on the road and then educating face-to-face.
Uncertainty: The business environment is unpredictable, and there is always a level of uncertainty surrounding factors such as market demand, competition, and economic conditions.
Responsibility: As a business owner, you are responsible for all aspects of the business, including operations, finances, legal compliance, and management of employees.
Isolation: Running a business can sometimes be isolating, especially as a solopreneur.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
Our online program launched earlier in 2024 in time for our third birthday.
My plan is to:
Expand access in rural and remote areas: I aim to make the online program of Baby First Aid available in rural and remote Local Government Areas (LGAs). This would ensure that those living in areas with limited access to face-to-face sessions can still benefit from vital first aid education.
Expand geographically within Queensland: I aspire to expand Baby First Aid QLD‘s reach beyond its current locations. By expanding to more areas within Queensland, I aim to provide accessible and convenient first aid training to even more parents and caregivers.
Recruit and train more educators: I hope to grow my team by recruiting and training more educators. This would allow Baby First Aid QLD to meet the increasing demand for courses and deliver high-quality training to a larger audience.
Visit the Baby First Aid QLD website to find our more, and connect with them on Facebook and Instagram.
