“Being the ‘boss’ and making decisions, while at times challenging, is still a passion I have, which stretches me into the ‘uncomfortable zone’.”
After a negative workplace experience while pregnant, Marsha Lake of Marsha Lake Secretarial Services found herself at a crossroads. Faced with an employer who treated her poorly in front of staff and clients, she made a decision that would change the course of her life.
After maternity leave, Marsha chose to become her own boss, a decision that turned challenge into opportunity and laid the foundation for a business that has now been operating successfully for more than four decades.
What began as a typing business has grown into a trusted secretarial and administration service supporting time-poor small business owners to alleviate their frustrations of preparing their own documentation to clients, by designing high quality presentations, reports and transcriptions, remotely or face-to-face.
“I love the variety of work and meeting new clients,” Marsha says. “Importantly I love the flexibility of working in a home-based business to my hours that I want to work and making the decisions that I want to make.”
For Marsha, her ideal business isn’t about quick wins or fast money, but about building something sustainable over time. She believes in understanding your target clients, asking questions of people you respect, and networking and collaborating with businesses that complement your own, while also structuring your business in a way that allows time to pause, recharge, and enjoy life outside of work.
“Having a network of like-minded women at HerBusiness is an integral part of being a business owner.”
Marsha has been a member of the HerBusiness Network for five years and believes being part of a community of like-minded women is an integral part of business ownership.
Marsha says, “The ability to call on and ask for assistance when required and at the same time, being able to help others, with the experience you have accumulated, especially for myself, after four decades of operating a business.”
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
Bev Barnfather, who is someone I met about 20 years ago. She just has the ability to draw you in and give the most constructive and inspiring information, to help you to become successful.
She has charisma and knowledge and makes you feel special every time you talk to her.
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
I started my business after a negative work situation with an employer who became rude to me while pregnant, in front of employees that I was responsible for and clients.
He therefore forced me into the decision, after maternity leave, to start my own business. This decision became a positive – and the business has been very successful and has now been operating for the last four decades.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
- I love the variety of work and meeting new clients.
- I love the flexibility of working in a home-based business to my hours that I want to work and making the decisions that I want to make. Having the opportunity of having Australian contractors, working from home and helping in the business.
- Adding services for our clients as required.
- Receiving ongoing thanks from our clients, who appreciate our personal and professional services we offer them.
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- Ensure you talk to other business owners to establish how they operate their businesses. Discuss challenges that you have and allow them to ask you questions about your business and work in a collaborative way, to help each other.
- When starting a business you tend to work with ‘everyone’, not necessarily the industries you feel comfortable with. Plan what type of clients make you happy, that you can ‘make a difference with, showing your strengths and expertise.
- Being the ‘boss’ and making decisions and at times challenging, is still a passion I have, which stretches me into the ‘uncomfortable zone’ on many occasions, but makes me become a better person, for actually succeeding in these areas, that I would have otherwise thought twice about going into that area.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
- Don’t think a business is going to make heaps of money quickly! This does not happen, however, if you carefully work out who your target clients are (and this will change as time evolves), this is a start for a new business owner, for sure.
- Ask questions from people who you respect and have an existing business and who are happy to share their experiences.
- Have great contact, network and collaborate, especially businesses who compliment your business.
- Always be positive and when a challenge ‘arrives’ don’t be afraid to ‘ask’ others.
- Don’t rush into changing the way your business operates – think very carefully.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
- A knowledge of accounting, ability to work with an accounting program, so that you can produce Tax Invoices ! And work with your accountant and bookkeeper, regularly.
- The basics of Microsoft products, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook are very useful when you first start. You can learn more about the programs as you go. These are the absolutely basic elements you require when you first start a business.
- Work in the basic areas that you are comfortable with – and if a task is taking you more time than it should, ask a business colleague to assist you and/or have a Virtual Assistant for those ‘tasks’.
- When starting a business you need to work on the areas of your expertise.
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
My ideal business is to work with clients who I have respect for and who encourage and challenge me, to become more successful, with new areas of ‘expertise’. Having clients who genuinely appreciate what you do for them and continually tell you! Clients who, after completing a job, pay you immediately! So important for a small business for cashflow!
Ongoing weekly or monthly clients who you are comfortable with and work well together.
Making appointments with clients to attend your office and not clients who arrive at your office at any time of the day or night.
Structure your business so that you do have time to have lunch with a friend or business colleague, and have a short break from time to time. It is important to have this ‘downtime’ to be refreshed, exercise and socialise!
I believe my business now has many of these qualities.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
Having a network of like-minded women at HerBusiness is an integral part of being a business owner.
Ability to call on and ask for assistance when required and at the same time, able to help others, with the experience you have accumulated, especially for myself, after four decades of operating a business.
Learn more about Marsha and Marsha Lake Secretarial Services.
