“Be ready for some challenges. They are necessary to grow personally and professionally and learn to never give up on your dreams!”
Stefania was a radio broadcaster in Italy. But when she moved to Australia with husband and two children she decided that she wanted to pursue her lifelong interest in natural health. She opened her own clinic ‘Healing Wings’ but became frustrated with the lack of options available in organic clothing. Organic TShirt started out as an interest of Stefania’s but soon grew into a viable business venture in which she attempts to reproduce the similar natural material clothing she wore growing up in a small Italian city. “My dream was to allow others to experience the same sensation using natural organic cotton and support my local community with Australian Made clothes, without compromising on quality and look.” Stefania is proud to produce her clothing entirely within Australia and help support the local economy. “I enjoy the fact that I can follow any aspect of the production, beginning from the idea, followed by the making of the pattern and the sample to the final collection.” Three things Stefania wishes she was told before she started in business:
- Conduct market research to find out who your target audience is and what it is that they want.
- Use a marketing plan. Identify early on what your market is and how your business differs to competitors.
- Set a realistic budget. “When starting a new business it’s easy to get excited.” Make sure your budget is realistic from the outset to ensure you don’t run out of money before the business becomes profitable.
When you run your own business you have to know every detail about the organisation and the product. But this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t leave room to grow. A successful business is eternally a work in progress. The market is continually shifting and a good business will try and grow with their audience. As a Premium Member of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network Stefania has found the webinars extremely helpful for understanding how to improve some aspects of business. In particular she’s learned how to better use her company newsletter and to use social media. Stefania Pallotta’s advice for starting a business:
- Make a business plan.
- You need to be flexible to change and curious. Always look for more information and new ways to improve and enhance your business.
- Think like the customer. Always remember their needs and expectations.
- Never compromise on quality. No customers = no business.
Learn more about Stefania Palotta, This post was co-authored by Ella McDougall, an intern with HerBusiness. Ella is studying Journalism at the University of Technology, Sydney.
