WIBWA Members Morning Tea @Yahava KoffeeWorks, Swan Valley

Monday 17 March 2014

Ladies, do you recall a day where everything went to plan? Well, I had one of those when I hosted the Women In Business WA event at Yahava KoffeeWorks in the Swan Valley on Monday 17 March.

Looking back over the day, my gorgeous husband ironed my outfit and cooked me breakfast; traffic out to the Swan Valley was busy but I had a smooth run; and there was a gentle breeze from the south-east to cool us as more than 20 women sat on the verandah outside Yahava KoffeeWorks. To top it off the coffee, or should I say koffee, was delish!

It was delightful to be able to highlight and share a place I am passionate out with WIBWA members – Yahava KoffeeWorks is owned and operated by my sister Danielle and her husband Jake McAuliffe. The business has grown exponentially since the store opened in 2011 and they have a wonderful community of staff at the Swan Valley store. It was fun to be part of with the members who joined us.

It was lovely to welcome guests to the morning tea event and as usual to hear from WIBWA members about their passion and their businesses.

A lady I have met on a number of occasions who always shares passionately about her life aim is Kath Mazzella (Pictured on the left with Di Hamilton). Kath is a vulva cancer survivor. Although small of stature Kath has a BIG message to share about the importance of gynae education and awareness. She is in the business of saving people’s lives – not just the women she touches with her message but their family members and loved ones. Kath is committed to taking the eeww out of gynae awareness and turning it in to a WOW! The thing is she needs our help to achieve it asked a valuable question at the WIBWA Yahava morning tea – how do I support myself financially and still get my message across? Do you have any suggestions for Kath?

Sticking with WIBWA members I have met at a number of events, Jo Naseby is a Usana 1 Star Diamond Director. What this means is that Jo is a seriously effective network marketing professional who is passionate about helping everyday people create a second source of income while taking care of their health. Jo was introduced to Usana products when her daughter was unwell with asthma as a child. That was over a decade ago now and her daughter is now happy and a picture of healthy.

I have heard Dayna Howard from Sorted Space share about what she does a handful of times. Each time her heartfelt passion and commitment shines through. Dayna is a professional organiser who empowers people to enjoy their homes as a place to relax. She works with a wide range of people from hoarders to those who simply want to be better organised at home and she is especially committed to FIFO families. Dayna said “life runs so much more smoothly with systems and structures in place that help everyone, even children, work together as a team.”

Each woman that shared at the morning tea has something to offer, which is why, as WIBWA Director Jennifer Rose Bryant explains, she does what she does. Meeting and networking with women face-to-face creates as immediate connection and magic that is Women In Business WA.

Make sure you check out the event calendar for coming events. For all the details click here.

By Kim Kamarudin

Clear Blue Writing

Women In Business WA - Morning Tea Hosted by Suncorp Bank

Tuesday 11 March 2014

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON BANKING

When was the last time you serviced your car? Went to the dentist? Doctor? Or booked in a massage?

Some, if not all of these things are items we regularly and perhaps automatically schedule (or try to avoid).

But when was the last time you reviewed or ‘serviced’ your mortgage, overdraft or credit card? Never is my answer and it wasn’t something I thought I could do until I heard it from the ladies at Suncorp Bank.

A group of Women in Business WA members had the opportunity to ‘pick the brains’ of Suncorp’s leading women at a special morning tea event, hosted by Suncorp Bank, in the city on 11 March.

For an hour and a half we had access to Business Banking Manager Lara Dowdall, Hay Street Branch Manager Sasini Wijesiri, Merchant Banking Specialist Annie Omadi and Mobile Lender Priscilla Harrison.

The result was some great advice about what to do when considering starting a business. Lara said “when starting a business you don't go into in blind.

“Before you visit the bank you need to speak to your accountant and or a financial banker to determine what you are doing, where going with your business, what structure you are going to use so you have a clear plan and strategy, before you start.

“A business banking manager will ask you these questions because our role is not to offer advice but to take the advice you have already gathered and make it happen.”

Sasini insists her clients review their home loan each year to ensure the loan still suits them.

“People’s personal and business circumstances change so reviewing bank agreements is important i.e. considering fixed versus a variable interest rate as well as what is happening in industry.”

Other valuable advice included that there is some flexibility to negotiate loan interest rates as well as merchant banking rates and that we shouldn’t be afraid to ask.

The Suncorp ladies acknowledged that banks don’t make things easy sometimes, especially for small business owners. However what was made very clear at the morning tea event was that the women at Suncorp want to be involved with Women In Business WA. They want to be the face of banking for WIBWA members and they want to create connections with you as a business operator.

Based on the response and outcome of this event we are sure to see more Suncorp Bank hosted events on the WIBWA calendar in coming months. So watch this space.

By Kim Kamarudin

CLEAR BLUE WRITING