opportunity when it comes along;
believe in yourself, and keep showing
up with the best of intentions and the
best will come in return."
Karin Frost, Ergobaby
never compromise on consistency of
products and service, branding and
imagery; accept advice from others;
offer staff flexibility and they will
reward with productivity. Be
passionate, patient and not afraid of
small failures along the way."
Charmaine Papallo, Babybuds
then do it very, very well; be prepared
to put in an enormous amount of
effort and time before you expect any
financial reward. Say sorry when
you're wrong, treat people the way
you'd like to be treated, and keep a
sense of humour."
Gillian Hund, Sydney's Child
people, friends, family and work
colleagues because they help fuel the
passion and determination to
succeed."
Susie Cameron, Small Fry
developed her online baby gift company Ba-
the birth of her daughter Olivia. While grateful
for the abundant flowers, designer clothes and
toys she received, what Papallo really needed
was baby basics: socks, singlets, bibs and jump-
suits. So whenever her girlfriends had babies,
she gave them with homemade "bouquets" of
rolled-up baby clothes.
lo wondered how she could juggle family and
career. When her husband, Mark, suggested
turning her "bouquets" into a home-based busi-
ness, the idea clicked. Within two years, Mark
left his job as a barrister to become the finan-
cial controller for the company and sales had
grown by more than 900 percent.
now seven, and son Alex, five) in the busi-
ness as much as possible. For the time being,
though, the office remains "a craft wonderland"
affair, shared between her husband, mother-in-
law and two sisters. "Being a working mother
you learn to become very efficient, shopping
on-line, stocking the freezer with soups and
casseroles. I outsource the cleaning and iron-
ing, and have a personal trainer. All these little
things enable me to keep my home and family
operating. If things are running well at home
I don't feel guilty about working and actually
enjoy my work more," Papallo says.
30 percent year on year, with corporates her
major clientele. "They have the greatest dollar
spend and are the most regular purchasers,"
Papallo explains. In 2008, she was nominated
for the Telstra Business Women Awards by
one of her biggest clients, a process she found
both "humbling and inspiring." Her biggest
challenge comes from copycat producers,
which she vigorously combats through constant
innovation and a commitment to quality service
and products.