Johanna Baker-Dowdell is a writer and
public relations consultant.

Johanna tells why her mix of experience at corporate and home-business levels is great for clients– at
Strawberry Communications.

Johanna, what was the idea that first got the ball rolling?
I had worked in journalism, public relations and marketing for 10 years when I had my son in 2006. I didn’t want to work full time and needed to find a way to still earn money while being a good mum. I started freelancing from home while I was pregnant and saw I could build a business from my expertise. I gradually but up a good client list until I registered my business name, Strawberry Communications, in October 2007.

What got you excited enough about the idea to put it into motion?
My father had been self-employed and I liked the freedom that option offered. The fact I could combine working from home and being a mother was definitely an exciting prospect for this ex-career girl!

Where did the name for your business spring from?
Strawberries are my favourite fruit and I wanted to combine writing and public relations in the business so I thought Communications summed those up well. I wanted a business name that stood out, rather than something to do with my name, hence Strawberry Communications was born.

How is Strawberry Communications original?
I work with a lot of business mums in the same position as me (working from home around children), as well as corporate clients. I have worked in both journalism and public relations so I can understand both sides of the media and help a client tell their story.

What was the most difficult part in getting your business off the ground?
For a long time I wasn’t sure I would be able to make a success of a home business because I didn’t know if I was disciplined enough to work on my own. I still have trouble with my own company sometimes, but that is always a good excuse to call a friend or do some social networking.

Has any part of your business gone down a different path than you first anticipated?
I am often surprised at how I have a spate of PR work and then it changes to writing, rather than an even spread between the two.

What do you enjoy most about running your business?
Being able to set my own rules and times for work, being flexible enough to be able to attend an event at my son’s day care or take him swimming and not having to deal with office politics!

Do you belong to any networks that have helped you grow your business?
Business Women Unite and Flying Solo have both contributed to my business success, as well as helping me to learn more about social networking.

What are your future goals for Strawberry Communications?
My main goal for the business is to not be working by the hour, but to leverage my expertise to develop products. That way the business could operate without me. I just have to come up with the products now!

What advice would you give another woman wanting to start a business of her own?
If you have a passion for your business you will succeed– but don’t think you can do it all alone – because no one can, or should.