Having lost their manufacturing business to early globalisation, Minuteman Press Prahan was a career change for both Vivienne Kane and her husband.
Vivienne is an ex Speech Pathologist with over 30 years of experience who has a passion for effective communication. So a business that combined assisting other small businesses with communication/design, and involved boutique manufacturing, seemed to be a good fit for both her husband and herself.
Vivienne loves helping small business owners by not only creating print communications that get attention from the right people but by giving them the right marketing advice to get her clients the best results.
The Minuteman Press Prahran group includes CalendarPrint, an end to end design and print service for branded customised calendars, which includes free artwork and delivery.
Vivienne’s favourite entrepreneur
“Maggie Beer. She was instrumental in opening the Barossa as a foodie destination, she has encouraged Australians with healthy cooking and eating with local produce. Her career then morphed from restauranteur and food producer to food manufacturer to TV presenter to philanthropist and activist. I really admire the work of her Foundation in improving the quality of food and nutrition in aged care”
What Vivienne enjoys most about running her own business
“The ability to chart my own course, the freedom, the challenge, the enjoyment of succeeding in building something together”
Three pieces of advice Vivienne wished she’d been given when she started
- Be clear on why you want to own a business, and exactly what your market niche is.
- Understand there is always insecurity, particularly at the outset.
- Research all the metrics of your business thoroughly, especially your target market and competitors
Skills and knowledge areas Vivienne recommends those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly
“Understanding budgeting deeply. Skills around people management – team, customers and suppliers Marketing skills Clarity on your product and why your ideal customer would want to buy it/them“
Vivienne’s advice to someone thinking about starting a business
“Understand your budget numbers.
Have a strong marketing plan.
Find a mentor or advisor who will give you fearless feedback.
Understand you don’t really have a business until it runs without you so have a plan to get there right from the start”
Vivienne on what her IDEAL business would look like
“I would have another one or two people on my inhouse team, and some virtual team members. My lead flow and conversion would be reliable and deliver ideal customers buying our most profitable products I would work 3 days a week, and have more than two annual breaks, longer than two weeks“
Vivienne on being a HerBusiness Network Member:
“Mentoring – through belonging to IDEAL particularly
Upskilling – especially in marketing skills
Peer support – particularly through online and face to face days, and goals group
Inspiration – constantly through Suzi’s input and members “
