New Kids on the Block: Sydney & Adelaide

Keep an eye on the competition, or promote yourself if you are the competition!

The Lady in Charge: Sarah Bea
Business name: Enhance Your Events – Model Agency
Location: Sydney
Launched: January 2008
Website: www.EnhanceYourEvents.com.au

Hit us with your elevator pitch:
Enhance Your Events Model Agency specialises in classy events and promotions. We only hire classy, smart and committed models. Our models are trained to help achieve your goals and make your event memorable.
What drove you to go it alone?
I’m a qualified School Teacher and the income ceiling disheartened me. Hence I am starting my own empire! Furthermore I have met some wonderful business minds who inspire me, and I plan to meet more on this journey.
What do you find the most difficult, and the most rewarding, aspects of running your own business?
The most difficult aspect is that I currently work long hours. It is very different to a job and most people with jobs do not grasp that. I have so many people asking me to do social things but I have to explain that I don’t work 9 to 5 and then go home to free time.
I’m rewarded when the client rings me after the event very satisfied with the service the models provided. I’m rewarded when a model tells me she loves to work for me. But most of all, I’m rewarded when I look at what I have achieved through my actions and realise that I’m creating the future I want for myself.

The Lady in Charge: Shelley Ratcliffe
Business name: Motivate! Health & Fitness
Location: Southern Suburbs, Adelaide, South Australia
Launched: August 2008
Commercial Premises: 35 Judith Crescent, Morphett Vale

Hit us with your elevator pitch:
Motivate! is a mobile personal training service targeted at beginner to intermediate exercisers. The aim is to educate and motivate people on how to get the most from a fitness and nutrition programme without needing to go to a gym. The exercises are practical and functional, designed to make your body work better as well as look better.
What drove you to go it alone?
After working in gyms for 6 years, I’ve found more progress can be made when the focus is on variety, fun and function rather than reps and sets. I’ve developed my own way of exercising that works for me better than any traditional gym programme I’ve tried before and I want to share these benefits with others.
What’s one thing you wish you hadn’t spent money on during the start-up process?
I spent $555 on an ad in the local phone book. The only calls I’ve had from that ad are from clubs and charities wanting sponsorship. Waste of money, I won’t do that again.

If you’d like to grab a bit of the spotlight for your new business [and you're a woman in business, in Australia] contact us and we’ll let you know if you’re eligible.