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Lara, a dedicated sole parent of five children, always had a burning desire to be her own boss. For over a decade, she worked tirelessly as a cleaner at Melbourne’s Adina Hotel, utilising her Certificate III in Hospitality. However, in 2018, she made a life-changing decision to move to Munno Para in South Australia. Little did she know that this leap of faith would set her on a path to fulfilling her entrepreneurial dreams.
In her new town, Lara continued her cleaning career, finding employment at Grand Chancellor and Ibis hotels for the next three years. Juggling her full-time position, part-time cleaning jobs for a friend, and caring for her family, Lara's determination to provide for her loved ones was unwavering. Yet, deep inside, she yearned for the freedom and independence of running her own business.
Driven by her aspirations, Lara began advertising her cleaning services on platforms like Air Tasker and Gumtree. The positive feedback from her few clients fuelled her ambition, but she still lacked the confidence to commit to her dream fully. It was during this time that she stumbled upon Asuria’s Self-Employment Assistance Program, a ray of hope beckoning her to take the next step.
Intrigued by the opportunity, Lara applied for the program in November 2022, cutting back on her shifts at Mount Lofty House, where she had recently joined the team. This bold decision marked the beginning of a transformative journey. Lara was paired with Asuria’s Business Mentor, Jane Carnegie, who guided her through the program and helped her acquire the skills and knowledge needed to run a successful business.
Despite facing technological challenges, Lara's determination pushed her forward. Together, Lara and Jane embarked on an eight-week Micro Business Skillset course, where Lara continued cleaning houses for her existing clients to maintain her income. Jane provided valuable guidance, helping her navigate the learning management system and download essential business plan documents during their weekly calls. With Jane's support and advice, Lara completed her business plan, paving the way for the next phase of her entrepreneurial journey.
In February 2023, Lara transitioned into the 12-month small business coaching program, which proved to be a game-changer. Immersed in a wealth of knowledge and armed with a newfound sense of confidence, Lara started laying the foundation for her cleaning business, Lara’s Cleaning Services. Jane and Lara evaluated her goals and broke them down into practical milestones, keeping her focused and motivated along the way.
Lara's ambitions knew no bounds. She dreamed of saving for a mortgage deposit, treating her family to a well-deserved holiday abroad, and expanding her cleaning business to offer a range of services. With the guidance of her mentor, Lara planned to lease a car after consulting with her accountant once her business had been running for two years. Jane recognised the need for professional financial guidance and connected Lara with a local accountant who would help Lara find the best bookkeeping system for her business.
As Lara's training and coaching sessions progressed, she took the necessary steps to establish a "Google My Business" presence for her business. Jane provided feedback on Lara's online presence, ensuring her professionalism and attention to detail shone through. Balancing work, training, and the challenges of familiarising herself with online business and technology was no easy feat, but Lara remained resilient. She worked part-time as a cleaner during her children's convenient hours, overcoming obstacles one by one.
Jane acknowledged Lara's growth as a business owner, emphasising her ability to accomplish tasks once she acquired the necessary knowledge. Lara's Cleaning Services thrived, evident in the glowing 15 five-star reviews she received on her Google My Business page. Her commitment to excellence led her to adopt a quoting system for each job rather than an hourly rate. To express gratitude to her loyal clients, Lara introduced discount cards, offering a 10% discount on the 10th clean, which was well-received. She even began selling gift cards, adding another dimension to her business.
With her growing reputation, Lara started receiving enquiries from potential clients in underserved areas. Recognising this as an opportunity for expansion, Lara explored providing services in these areas and considered entering the Airbnb market. Jane continued to support Lara, helping her make informed decisions and leveraging her experience and knowledge.
As she looks toward the future, Lara’s cleaning business holds vast potential for her financial stability and the betterment of her family's life. Having seven regular monthly cleaning clients now in her stable, Lara’s revenue continues to increase steadily. With the unwavering support of Jane and the invaluable skills she acquired through Asuria’s Self-Employment Assistance Program, Lara's dream of being her own boss is gradually transforming into a fulfilling reality.
Lara’s journey from cleaner to entrepreneur is a testament to her determination, resilience, and unwavering commitment to her family's well-being. Her story inspires others to chase their dreams, overcome obstacles, and create a better future for themselves and their loved ones.
Asuria's decade-long delivery of the Self-Employment Assistance program (formerly New Business Assistance with NEIS program) has helped hundreds of people turn their passions into careers, just like Lara. If you have a business idea or an existing small business and would like to learn more about how our Business Mentors through the Self-Employment Assistance can help turn your business dreams into a reality, click here to learn more.
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