which has recently celebrated its seventh birthday online and attracted the 2009 Home Based Business Award!

Melissa, what was the catalyst for Business Mums Network (BMN)?

In 2002, I wanted to attend a networking event with my then six-week-old baby. I was also told by “experts” that if I wanted to run a successful business, I would have to put my kids into childcare and work 9-5.
I was connecting with Mums in the US who successfully worked from home, but couldn’t find support in Australia for Mums wanting to run a business. So, in July 2002, Business Mums Network was launched.

What resources and tools can women find at BMN to support and grow their businesses?

As well as an interactive website with an active forum, we also offer the Business Mums Magazine, a print publication especially for Mums running a business, annual conference, regular networking lunches and dinners, as well as training, articles and other resources to grow their businesses.
The network is incredibly friendly and open to each other, providing mentoring and additional resources and expertise.
We also create promotion opportunities for business mums, such as the blog awards we are currently running, or Doing Business in Your Bathrobe Month we have participated in in the past.

What are your thoughts on creative thinking when it comes to business concepts and business growth?

As a Mum with limited time and funds, business mums must be creative when it comes to their businesses, whether it is their business idea, how they promote their business, or any other aspect of business. Creative thinking also helps us stand out from the crowd, especially if our businesses are in a saturated market.

Congratulations on winning the Business Services category of the 2009 Home Based Business Awards! Can you tell us about the awards night?

The awards were part of the Australian Business and IT Expo in Melbourne. My stand was near where the awards were presented, so when they started giving the finalist certificates I moved to near the area. After I’d received my certificate, I returned to my stand – I didn’t expect to win. I was so excited when they called my name, I nearly missed it. Good thing my stand was near the awards area!
The awards were presented by the minister for small business, and when they opened the box with the trophy in it, the trophy was broken! So, they had to stage the photos with a substitute trophy.

You’ve recently celebrated your seventh birthday online with BMN - What changes have you seen in the online business world for Australian women over this time?

When I first started, there weren’t many Australian online networks. Most of the ones that existed were based in the US. There were only two parenting sites, and we were the first to support Australian Mums running a business. Over the last seven years, there are many more support sites, and selling online is normal rather than the exception. Consumers are also becoming more savvy to online sales, so online shops are looking more professional and providing more information about themselves and their business/products.
One of the most recent changes is social media – sites such as Twitter and Facebook.  This allows business mums connect with their target market and create a relationship with them.

Photo courtesy of Kelly from www.photosbykelly.com.au

Starting with four women and an idea during a business lunch, Women’s Network Australia is now accessed by 40,000 women every year.

Founded originally by business entrepreneur Lynette Palmen AM, Women’s Network Australia has become the Nation’s leading membership based organisation for business and professional women.

Every year Women’s Network Australia continues to expand its services and grow in popularity with women across the Nation and for good reason.

Gaining from learning and sharing experiences
As women progress they are seeking ways to achieve success in both their careers and business. There is much to be gained from sharing and learning from the experiences with others and Women’s Network Australia meets this need. Having access to role models and mentors plays and important role in women achieving the outcomes they desire in business.

Lynette says “Women now own and operate 33% of Australian small businesses and over the past 5 years there has been a 20% growth in the thriving home-based business sector. In this particular sector women are proving to be a force to be reckoned with – currently they’re running over 250,000 of the existing home-based businesses operating across the nation” she said.

Women seeking life/work balance by starting up their own enterprises
And according to Lynette this trend looks set to increase. “Whilst big business still struggles to get their head around is the benefits to be gained by ensuring workplaces are family friendly, it follows that women who are seeking balance between work and family will continue to opt out and start their own enterprises” added Lynette.

But in saying this many women find that running their own business can be both a rewarding and challenging experience but often isolating. Women’s Network Australia provides a community and support framework into which these women are flocking in droves. The network assists through the exchange of ideas, the ignition of trade through the development of strategic business contacts along with enhancing entrepreneurial skills for business success. It offers a vast range of membership, marketing and consulting services all designed to support women in their pursuits to succeed in their career and business.

Women’s Network ahead of its time in 1990
The success of Women’s Network Australia and its rapid growth is hardly surprising. Ahead of its time when first established back in 1990, the organisation is meeting the needs of a balanced lifestyle trend being chosen by thousands of women every year.

Women’s Network Australia offers both offline and online networking forums, events, strategic guidance and business tools assisting women across the country to turn their networks into their ladder for business success.