WOMEN IN BUSINESS MENTOR PROGRAM:

Shan Lawson - A Virtual Lifesaver

As a Virtual Assistant, Shan Lawson provides personal and executive assistance to consultants and SMEs through her business A Virtual Lifesaver (AVLS), run from her home on the Central Coast.

After working in her business for a few months Shan realised that although she knew a lot about administration, her broader business skills were lacking. 

"Working for a large company had shielded me from various areas of business as there were departments to handle each aspect.  As a sole trader I was every department!  I wanted to get up to speed with the actual running of my business quickly and I felt the Women in Business course could do this."

Shan joined the Women in Business Mentor Program in March 2004 and was teamed with mentor Olivia Fenlon, a business trainer with a background in Industrial Mediation.

"Being a mediator means that Olivia is great at hearing both sides of proposals and allowing people to make their own decisions by offering different aspects of the idea.  Rather than just tell me what to do she allowed me to find my own way through our meetings," says Shan.

"I often make emotional-based, very quick decisions and Olivia helped me to slow down and consider issues from different angles.  She also gave me examples of things that have happened to her in the past so that I could learn from her 'mistakes'."

Through the program and her mentor's assistance, Shan radically refocused her approach to her business and started to view it more from the perspective of an entrepreneur than an employee.

She also enjoyed the contribution of the presenters at the workshops held regularly throughout the course.

"Each of the presenters really knew their stuff.  They've all been where we are now and they were willing to answers our worries and concerns."

The workshops also allowed her to share experiences and knowledge with the other participants and support each other to work on their businesses.

Now that she has a broader vision for her business, Shan plans to expand her client base to include interstate areas as well as overseas clients. She enthusiastically recommends the Women in Business Mentor program to other women business owners.

"I don't know of any other program that offers this much knowledge and support for new businesses.  It is targeted perfectly to women starting out and having your own mentor to call upon when you need help is tremendous."

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