WOMEN IN BUSINESS MENTOR PROGRAM:

Tracey Cools, Efficient Living

Tracey Cools from Efficient Living was fortunate to gain the advice of not just one, but four inspiring women when she undertook the Women In Business Mentor Program.

Tracey began her building sustainability consultancy seven years ago when she noticed a business opportunity in the emerging industry of energy smart homes. Working for a building company in an architectural drafting role, the then 20-year-old became privately licensed and offered consultancy services to her employer, before responding to demand and going out on her own.

Her training and skills were serving Tracey well - to a point.

"I was a technician; I provided a great service to my clients and had a passion for my industry," she explains. "This got me work, but I had no business plan, no structure, and no systems for dealing with paperwork or cash flow."

Wanting to overcome these limitations, Tracey signed up for the "life changing" program.

Mentor Roxanne Neylon of association management company CAMEO initially helped Tracey prioritize her client base and gain control over client relationships, and advised on cash flow management options.

Tracey found a second mentor in Mary Morel, whose company The M Factor provides business writing training and small business marketing.

"Mary was a fabulous help in the putting together of my business and marketing plan," says Tracey. "After just a couple of months of Mary's guidance I nearly doubled my client base and received many other positive sales leads. I diversified my risk and increased my income. I also gained a clear vision of the future direction of my business and a step-by-step plan of how to achieve it."

Car-pooling to Sydney's northern beaches introduced Tracey to another, unexpected, source of support.

"Sue Heins from Inspiring Women took me under her wing and provided invaluable advice on partnership options and staffing. She helped me realise what it would take to balance work and personal life, and assess if the business I had dreamed of was in fact a lifestyle decision that was right for me. She has been a huge inspiration."

And finally, Jackie Palmer of Palmers Chartered Accountants offered to provide after-course support, helping Tracey organise her legal obligations including setting up staff contracts, job descriptions, procedures manuals, reviewing insurances and taxation obligations.

Tracey also found the workshops and presenters "brilliant".

"I found I didn't sleep properly after coming home from our sessions my head was so full of new and exciting ideas."

The plan now is to expand Efficient Living by one new employee every six months. There are organisational and financial goals that must be achieved to facilitate this, including offering a greater range of services and moving into interstate markets.

But aside from all the invaluable business advice and insights, Tracey is especially grateful for the support and understanding she received from those in mentoring roles.

"My friends and family do not understand why I want to be a business owner; they see it as a stressful lifestyle decision. My mentors all have passion for success in their own business and have achieved great things. Listening to and understanding the ups and downs of their businesses and life journeys has allowed me to believe in my own path."

                                                                       Back to Top