Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Finally the pictures

Here you go... for those of you who would like to see what we looked like on Saturday night... eat your hearts out.

The last couple of days have passed in a blur with media calls and photo shoots. Now I know how princess Mary feels!

Sunday, August 15, 2010

And the winner is...

Wow! Last night will stick in my memory for quite some time...
In front of a crowd of 320 amazingly inspirational people, I was awarded Sunshine Coast Small Businesswoman of the Year. How that happened, I am still not quite sure, and I will be on a high for days!

Pictures are on their way, but I wanted to share my speech with you...


When I was 13, my parents had what can only be called a ‘serious mid-life crisis’.
They took my brother and me out of school and we spent the next five years sailing around the world on a 32ft ketch.

My ‘boat –schooling’ experience taught me many things:
I learnt that risks are worth taking.
I learnt that with the support of family I can do just about anything.
I discovered there is a vast difference between schooling and education.
And I learnt to rely on my own abilities.

About 4 years ago I decided I would like to encourage other parents to explore the world around them with THEIR kids. (It doesn’t have to be quite so extreme). I wanted to write guidebooks for travelling families. The only drawback was that I really didn’t know how to write.

So I enrolled in my Master’s degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast, and started on the bottom rung at The Sunshine Coast Daily. On weekends and holidays I would hook up my camper trailer and my daughter (and chief expert) Amber and I would travel around Queensland writing reviews as we went.

In October last year, my first book Kids Welcome to Queensland, was published. It includes over 1000 reviews of activities, attractions, tours, places to eat and places to stay throughout our state. Amber and I are now busy writing our next book: Kids Welcome to NSW.

I could not have reached this milestone without the tremendous support of many people: my graphic artist, proof-reader, distribution team, colleagues and friends. Especially my best friend Terri who nominated me for this award. On behalf of all of us, I thank the SCBWN and sponsors for this amazing honour.

But there are two people who deserve my thanks more than any others: my parents.
My Dad died in January and my Mum now lives in a nursing home so they couldn’t be here tonight, but I hope I can be as inspirational a parent to Amber, as they have been to me.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

A room of inspirational women

Last night the who's who of Sunshine Coast business women gathered for a cocktail party at the Hyatt Coolum. Coined 'The Purple Room' this event is specifically for finalists in the annual business awards and I felt amazed a proud to be among them.

Awards are a funny thing... on one hand I know they are a fantastic way to get the word out about your business... and on the other, I am never quite sure if I deserve to be in such company.

The entire process of being nominated (by my wonderful friend Terri), compliling a submission and going through the interview process has been a really good way to look back on the past year and take stock of what's to come. It is a process I would recommend to ANY business person. It has clarified my thoughts for the coming year, and giving me the opportunity to meet a range of inspirational women.

Not only that, but it has given me a renewed vigor to face challenges. After all, Tony and Maureen Wheeler (from Lonely Planet) started self publishing their first book from their Melbourne garage... from little things, big things grow!

Unlike other awards I have entered in the past, the process for this one includes such evenings as last night where you actually get to meet your 'competitors' and learn from them. Not only that, but business leaders spoke of their experiences in the past and shared tips on how to dress, what to say and how to deal with media if you win. Thanks to all the wonderful mentors I felt I had in that room!

Now the wait begins... the winner will be announced on August 14, also at the Hyatt.