This Mother's Day, we're celebrating mum and founder of award-winning dog grooming business WandiliDOGS, Donna Forster.
When Donna learned her husband had received a life-altering health diagnosis, she turned a difficult moment into a catalyst. She sat down to map out what her family needed and what she could offer. That process led her to start her own business – a long-held goal that took on new meaning as she looked for ways to support her family during a challenging time.
For Donna, the decision was as much about family as it was about income. She wanted to build something that would let her remain present for her son, at school assemblies, after-school sport, and all the commitments that don't fit neatly around a fixed roster.
"After a lot of family discussion, we agreed running my own business and being my own boss would benefit our family needs," she says. "It would allow me to work my own schedule and still fit in all the parental commitments."
Donna joined the Self-Employment Assistance program in the early stages of building WandiliDOGS, and credits the program and her Asuria Business Mentor, Brad, with giving her a strong foundation on the business side like bookkeeping, tax, systems, and the practical knowledge that comes with starting from scratch.
"Having someone to answer and guide me through lots of new business issues was beyond helpful," she shared. "From the moment I started the program, I felt I was on the right path."
WandiliDOGS, based in Victoria's Alpine Shire, offers professional dog grooming for all breeds and sizes alongside a retail range of grooming products and pet essentials.
Earlier this year, Donna was named the winner of the Small Business Start-Up Award at our Third Annual Employer Awards, recognised for her entrepreneurial spirit and the resilience it took to get the business off the ground.
Balancing the demands of running a business with being a present parent has required discipline and deliberate boundaries.
"Some days I don't know how I do it," Donna says. "It all comes down to forward planning. I put all the important dates into my schedule as soon as I know them and book clients around them. I've had to learn to say no when my schedule is full.”
She admits it took time to hold those boundaries firmly. In the first year, she found it difficult to turn work away. Now she treats the structure she's created as essential to how the business runs.
"I've created boundaries, and that's given me more work-life balance, which is wonderful."
For any other parents considering self-employment, Donna's advice is to start with the family picture, not just the business idea.
"Think about how you can make it work best for your family," she says. "Create a vision board with all the things you want the business to be, while still keeping that time and balance to be a present mum. And remember to reach out for help. There are lots of programs out there, and I'm just so grateful I found Asuria."
She's candid about the fear that came with starting out, and the uncertainty of whether she could make it work. But with the right support behind her, and the hard work she put in, she's built something she's genuinely proud of.
"Now I have a successful small business and a work-life balance I've always dreamed of," she says. "It's been a truly wonderful journey so far."