When Lydia Thomson decided to start her own business, she had no experience, no roadmap, and no idea where to begin. What she did have was a powerful vision: to create safe, empowering outdoor spaces for women while raising awareness around mental health and domestic violence issues.
Today, as the founder of Mowing Motivation – an all-female gardening and maintenance crew based in Echuca – Lydia is not only running a thriving business but also making her mark on national television. She'll be sharing her incredible journey on Channel 10's new series 'Start Me Up', premiering Saturday June 28th at 2:00pm.
Building Something Bigger Than Business
Lydia's venture isn't just about mowing lawns and maintaining gardens – it's about creating spaces where women feel completely safe and supported.
Her all-female team provides gardening and maintenance services specifically designed for women who may feel more comfortable with female service providers. It's a thoughtful approach that recognises the unique concerns many women have about inviting strangers into their personal spaces.
But starting from scratch with no business experience meant Lydia needed guidance every step of the way. That's where her Asuria Business Mentor, Nik Lazarevski, became an invaluable partner in her entrepreneurial journey.
The Power of Having Someone in Your Corner
"I found Asuria to be invaluable in helping me start all the key things – I would never have known without their help," Lydia explains. Working closely with Nik, she navigated everything from the fundamentals like obtaining her ABN and insurance to developing comprehensive marketing strategies and financial management systems.
"Having a mentor was like having reassurance – I could move forward without worrying about getting in trouble, and it gave me the confidence to back myself," she reflects. That confidence has clearly paid off – Lydia recently won the Asuria Small Business Startup Award and has expanded to employ her first team member.
The mentoring relationship demonstrates exactly why our Self-Employment Assistance program is so effective. It's not just about providing information – it's about giving entrepreneurs the confidence and support they need to take those crucial first steps and keep moving forward.
From Startup to Success Story
Now in her second year of operation, Lydia continues to grow Mowing Motivation with ongoing support from her mentor. Her focus remains on employing more women and expanding her mission of creating safe spaces while raising awareness for important social causes.
The journey from complete beginner to award-winning business owner showcases the transformative power of combining passion with proper support. Lydia's success isn't just measured in revenue or team growth – it's in the positive impact she's making in her community and the safe spaces she's creating for other women.
Sharing the Spotlight with Fellow Entrepreneurs
Lydia's television debut is part of something much bigger than her individual story. 'Start Me Up', hosted by influencer and small business owner Liv Phyland, aims to inspire the next wave of entrepreneurs by showcasing real success stories from across Australia.
Alongside Lydia, viewers will meet other remarkable business owners including:
Each story demonstrates the incredible diversity of businesses that can flourish with the right mentoring and support.
Shining a Light on Australia's Best-Kept Secret
Our experienced Business Mentors work alongside entrepreneurs like Lydia, providing the practical guidance and emotional support needed to navigate those challenging early years and avoid common pitfalls on the path to profitability.
The show also features 'Street Talk' segments with everyday Australians who have big ideas bubbling just beneath the surface – people who could be just one piece of advice away from turning their business dreams into reality.
Your Mission Could Be Your Next Business
Whether you're passionate about social causes like Lydia, or you have a completely different vision for your business, the support you need is available. For over 10 years, our Self-Employment Assistance program has helped more than 1,000 people transform their ideas into thriving careers.
Lydia's story shows that you don't need years of business experience to build something meaningful and successful. What you need is passion, purpose, and the right support system to help you navigate the journey.
Watch Lydia share her inspiring story when 'Start Me Up' premieres Saturday June 28th at 2:00pm on Channel 10, with episode two following on Saturday July 5th. The full series will also be available to stream on 10 Play.
If Lydia's mission-driven approach to business has inspired you to explore your own entrepreneurial path, we'd love to help you get started. Learn more about our Self-Employment Assistance program and discover how we can support you in building a business that makes a difference.
Start Me Up premieres Saturday 28 June at 2:00pm. Watch and Stream on 10.