Tell us about your business? 

The Door of Youth does a 3 step 3 minute skincare with results seen in 21 days Rich in AHA’s natural & organic, made in northern NSW ingredients sourced from the Byron Bay area.

Why did you start up your business? 

With 26 years experience in the beauty profession in 2006 I decided it was time to step out of my comfort zone and formulate a skincare product the was natural & gave results. So many skincare products are chemical based; offer false promises don’t give the results & are crazy prices.  I also desired a better lifestyle as a single parent.

What are the major hurdles you experienced when starting your business? 

Funding the launch as a single parent was difficult & then building the business online profile; 6 years ago social media was not as big as it is today.

Advice given from businesses that were only interested in the money I paid them not in how they could build my business. Invested & lost money listening to business that made false promises in marketing.
 

What tips can you give other SavvySME members that are thinking or in the process of starting their own business? 

Is there a need for your business or product? Keep working while you build your business for 2 years unless you have lots of money to invest & to live. Check name you are going to use is not trade marked or being used already. Trade mark the name, register business name, get a professional business company to brand your product, have consistent style of branding from website to business cards etc. Get your account to assist in setting your business to.

What made you decide to take the jump and focus on your business? 

Belief that I had the ability to formulate a skincare product. Better lifestyle for my son & myself. Saw the need for a skincare product that was natural & organic with results seen in 21 days. 

How did your family and friends react? 

Great support all the way & assisted where they could. Have a great picture of my son & his mate unpacking the first shipment into our garage.

How has your life changed? 

Lifestyle & freedom of time not a 9 – 5pm business, have meet so many amazing women & men in business at networking event. My financial independence is growing each year I am in business.

What is the vision for your business going forward? 

Launch 3 new products in 2013, have 1,200 subscribes by June 2013 where there product is sent every 3 months. In 2014 launch a body range & hair care range. Develop my profile as a Public Speaker & Mentor for Women in Business.

What tips can you give other SavvySME about motivating yourself to push through the challenges that rise up while building your start-up? 

Believe in yourself, have a self esteem program that you work on each day, have a vision board, goals written down & read every day. Join a networking group where you will be encouraged, follow someone who has been successful, have a mentor to keep you motivated and on track. Don’t ask people for there opinions as they will disappoint you. It is either woman at work or money at work & it take time to build a business.