1. What is your name
Jules Brooke
2. What is your business name
3. Website address
http://www.handleyourownpr.com.au
4. Please tell us about your business
Handle Your Own PR is a DIY PR resource for small businesses. On the site we explain (in the Advice Centre) how to get publicity for your business or product in easy-to-read, simple language. The information includes what you need, how to write a release, suggested story angles, how to follow up and when. We also sell up to date media contact lists according to your target market.
5. How long have you been in business?
2 years
6. What inspired you to start your business?
We had a PR agency specialising in small business and Mumpreneur type clients and when the GFC hit, our business started to really suffer! What we realised was that most of the Mumpreneurs we spoke to had fantastic products or services that the media would love, but they couldn’t afford to pay us to do the PR for them. We saw an opportunity to tell people how to do it (after all, it’s not rocket science!) and to sell media contact lists so they could get the publicity for themselves for a fraction of the cost. When we asked people (on forums like Skouttradefair.com and others) we had an overwhelmingly positive response so we decided to go for it and http://www.handleyourownpr.com.au was born.
7. How do you try and maintain work-life balance as a Mumpreneur?
I feel like I am in the enviable position of working hard on a business I understand and love, but also being able to attend school events at any stage, and take time out during school holidays to spend time with my 3 young boys. It’s perfect! I do often work erratic hours (most Mumpreneurs are familiar with the laptop on the kitchen table at 10pm!) but the flexibility it gives me repays me a thousand fold.
8. What are your top tips for mums thinking of launching a business:
I am always encouraging people to try running their own business. My top tips would be:
• Make sure you have a plan abouit how to find customers and service them properly
• Do something you love and feel passionate about as it does make the erratic hours more bearable!
• Be prepared to work early mornings (hello 5am) and evenings if you are going to squeeze the work in around family time
• I’m a big believer in finding a partner (friend, sister, parent) to run the business with you. Makes it much easier and more fun!
• Don’t get talked out of it by anyone!
9. What are your top marketing tips?
Well, I do own a DIY PR website so of course I am going to advocate PR as the best way to get more bang for your buck! It really just depends on what your business is/does though. If your target market is local then letterbox drops and local newspaper PR is probably best. And of course there is social media to get your name out there too! Work hard on your twitter/FB/LinkedIn and Pintrest profiles too. They can deliver so much and it’s all free.
10. What is one of your favourite website resources for small business?
http://www.thesourcebottle.com is a free service where journalists will do ‘call outs’ for people and products they want to feature. It’s a must for any small business I would have thought!
11. What business tools do you use to run your business?
I use my laptop and have a part timer that now helps me but we keep all our files in the Cloud so we can access them from wherever we are. I also couldn’t do without Skype (who needs face to face meetings any more?!) and my beloved iPhone.
12. Have you undertaken any online courses or programs or engaged a coach to assist you to learn more about running an online business?
Not really, although I would love to have been able to afford one. I have seen the difference it has made to some of my friends’ businesses!
13. What is the best advice you could give mums wanting to become a Mumpreneur?
Just do it (as the ad says!). We are apparently the fastest growing business sector globally. Mumpreneurs rule!!
Want More
If you would like to start your own Mumpreneur business check out my Mumpreneur Coaching, Mumpreneur E-Courses and Mumpreneur Workbooks.
