VIBE DESIGN & Print owner Karen Kinnersley of Pottsville has this week shared her story about establishing a small business while juggling life as a single mother.
Karen said she has always had a connection to the Tweed Shire area, having originally come from the Gold Coast.
“However, my life always brought me to the Tweed Shire, whether it was for work or leisure,” she said.
Karen said three years ago she had the opportunity to move to Pottsville and she jumped at it.
“I adore the lifestyle that this region can offer,” she said.
“One of the things I love the most about the Tweed Shire is the strong sense of community.
“For example in September of last year, I took the very scary step of quitting my job and launching my own small business, Vibe Design & Print.
“This was terrifying and exciting at the same time, as it has been a personal dream of mine for years.
“The community really rallied around me and has helped to make my business a success so far.”
Vibe Design & Print is a creative studio based in Pottsville, offering graphic design, printing and websites.
“We can take care of all your printing needs from logo creations, branding, business cards, flyers, promotional items, merchandise and much more,” she said.
“We offer personalised service to make your brand stand out from the rest. I have over two decades of experience in this industry.”
Karen said it was around this time that she started the Women’s’ Network Group known as “Pottsville Sassy Business Chicks” with a friend.
“The aim of this network was to connect the great minded business-focused women of the Pottsville and Tweed Shire areas so that, like I was benefiting from, we could all support each other and grow our businesses together,” Karen said.
“We are about to celebrate our one-year anniversary for this group.”
Karen started her design career in the printing industry and went on to work for various nightclubs, hotels and clubs.
“This gave me the experience in different industries and helped my portfolio grow,” she said.
“I went freelance whilst having my two children which was a great experience working for myself, and I was able to be at home with my daughters.
“I love to create and design, it gives me so much satisfaction seeing the results and clients’ reactions.
“I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”
Karen said starting Vibe Design & Print was the easy part and it was finding the time to balance work and personal life that was the hard bit.
“I am a single mum to two beautiful girls, both still at school,” she said.
“I find that most days I have to work at odd hours (late in the night, 4am in the morning) just to ensure that I am still able to support my children.
“It is very important to me to have that balance and to make sure my kids know they are always my priority.”
Karen said her hopes for the business are to grow, employ more local people, and to eventually go national.
“I recently hired my first employee and I’m hoping that in the near future I can grow that team more; and create more jobs for locals,” she said.
Soon, she might expand her business and hire more workers. She might even engage in marketing for her company at trade shows and award ceremonies, and probably hire a speechwriter for herself to address her staff with a powerful speech. Undoubtedly, this might improve communication amongst her employees as well as improve morale as well! Expansion is not just about monetary investment, it is also integral to look at the workers and keep them (as well as yourself) motivated!
However, needless to say, that expansion primarily depends on the finances of any business. If a business does not have the necessary finds, then it would not be able to hire more workers or create more processes. However, if they have enough funds allocated, then the step can be taken. But business owners need to first have a detailed budget plan ready to check whether they would need to break the bank or not in the process of recruiting more people. For that, they can use a business budgeting software application, which can help entrepreneurs immensely.
That said the key takeaway is that entrepreneurs should not be indifferent towards using technological tools to be successful. Yes, they need to be motivated, but in doing that, they should not be ignorant!
That is why, Karen has offered other budding young entrepreneurs her advice in pursuing their business dreams. She would probably also enlist the name of the firms similar to Finlyte, which these wannabe businessmen can take assistance from, to make their journey of entrepreneurship a successful one.
These are the kinds of advice and suggestions that most people wanting to do business tend to seek. There are certainly a lot of aspects wherein young entrepreneurs can learn from Karen, like how to know if your business is growing too fast or too slow, or how to find the right financier, etc. The decision and determination to start the business is what will ultimately make all the difference!
“Just do it. Take the leap,” she said.
“If you have a passion and the dream to run your own business don’t let fear hold you back.
“Believe in what you do and most importantly believe in yourself.”
You can find Vibe Design & Print at www.vibedesignprint.com.au or give Karen a call on 0413 459 410.
YOUR THOUGHTS: Have you got a great small business story to tell like Karen’s? The Weekly would love to hear from you. Please send the editor an email to editor@theweekly.net.au
