theentrepreneurialmother.com.au

there are many ways to Exit….

theEmother — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:31:17 +0000

Met up with one of my favourite clients today. We have been on the “start with the end in mind” journey for 18 months and it continues to evolve. The beauty of going through this process over an extended period is that we explore, we try, we talk, we DO and we get closer to what the ideal exit will be, from their individual perspective.

When we started the process, it was about “renovating” the business ready for sale. Take it to market, sell it, get the cheque and eventually leave. But as we’ve continued down the path, the business has also been shifting and growing in its own right. No surprise there really. The point being is that nothing stands still, a business under renovation included.

Just when you think you’re ready to go to market, opportunities present, new excitement builds which in turn reenergises the business and the delays around exit inevitably begin. Now, thats OK if you can in fact go on forever, but as we know, life’s not like that!

So what we’re plotting and scheming now is how to take full advantage of the opportunities as they come live, as well as restructuring the business so that facilitating an exit is also still doable. Another chapter, another timeframe, another option. All doable, yes. Letting go of past confines and embracing new. Riding the wave, surfing it to the shore and winning the gong!

Looking forward to the next financial year…

when great minds get together, beautiful things happen…

theEmother — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:00:36 +0000

Gotta love when creative minds get together! Today I met up with one classy dame who not only knows her stuff but who is also very open about sharing. Whilst I didn’t know her that well, I suspect we are going to get to know each other a whole lot better!

If the seed of an idea we were drawn to today germinates, watch out world, here we come.

Why not go for ‘world domination’ I say. OK, maybe not, but get a band of merry folk together and let their creative juices flow, all idea-hell could break loose… excellent. Bring it on!

Stay tuned…

The Webjet “Judith Horsnell” Memorial Lunch…

theEmother — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:25:37 +0000

Fr Bob Maquire at the annual Judith Horsnell memorial lunch

Sunday (yesterday) I had the good fortune to be asked to attend and MC the 3rd Annual “Judith Horsnell Mothers Day” lunch. It all started like this…

… Christmas 2010, Webjet Marketing P/L made a generous donation to the Fr Bob Maguire Foundation. Their PA, Judith Horsnell, prior to that time, had suggested to the staff to do away with Kris Kringle, and instead, donate to a local charity; the Father Bob Maguire Foundation was chosen.

Tragically, Judith passed away suddenly, early in 2011.

A a special bond had been established however and since then, Webjet’s employees talked about the possibility of remembering Judith in a more tangible way, culminating in a ““Mother’s Day Luncheon with a twist”, (the Sunday after Mother’s Day), for 40 disadvantaged mothers from the South Melbourne / Port Melbourne area.As a result, the first function held at the Emerald Hotel in May 2011, was sponsored by Webjet and its employees.

Webjet’s Finance Director (at the time), Mr Richard Noon, said that, ”many of his staff felt the need to do something to remember Judith by, for her generosity to others. This is really an event for others and at the same time, to remember Judith. In some way, do something that Judith would have felt special about. We remember our friend, always helping others. We think this would make Judith smile…”

This year, the “Special” Mother’s Day Luncheon was hosted at the same venue, for 50 disadvantaged mothers this time. Again sponsored by Webjet Marketing, in conjunction with the Fr Bob Maquire, St Vincent de Paul Society and Sacred Heart Mission.

A great day was had by all. The food was delicious (and plenty of it!), the company delightful, the flowers gorgeous, the book “Secrets of Inspiring Women Exposed” and the door prizes greatly appreciated and quite frankly, pretty impressive. It was a pleasure and an honour to be involved.

What will 2014′s lunch bring…

TEMpting: how Business Sellers and Buyers have been tempted this week…

theEmother — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:45:53 +0000

GET YOUR SCORE!

Webinar May 22
How Sellable is your Business?
click here

If any of the following tickle your fancy,
please contact me by emailing sell@theentrepreneurialmother.com
letting me know which one it is…

BS2 = Online Retailer

Plan B – Due Diligence concluded, to be settled early May
PENDING

*
BS8 Waiting on Seller
Change of plans due to recent events…
ON HOLD
*
BS9 = Specialist Leadership and Talent Management Provider
Completed Sellability Score.
Looking to a 2013-14 kick off, getting all ducks in a row in the meantime.
*
BS10 = Specialist Offline Retailer
Completed Sellability Score.
1st meeting completed, next steps discussed.
Proposal offered, awaiting response.
*
BS13 Specialist Equipment Provider
Completed Sellability Score.
Recommendations being pursued with favourable feedback.
ON HOLD
*
BS14 Leading Book Supplier
Completed Sellability Score
Financials received, more to come. Currently going through refinancing dramas!
*

BS19 Leading Wedding Services Provider
1st meeting had, waiting on Stage 2 financials – due in next week
*
BS22 Business “Consultancy”
Completed Sellability Score
Stage 3 of process in play, Proposal and pricing

*
BS23 Health and Well Being Studio
engagement locked in
FOR SALE

BS24 Beauty Salon with a Twist

not sure what they want to do but “first prize” is to raise capital and roll out more stores

proposal to be offered

BS25 Sales and Services

Completed Sellability Score

Proposal offered, awaiting decision

BS26 Professional Services
Initial meeting to discuss options

Next step Complete Sellability Score

The “Sellability Score” reports continue to dribble in each and every week. Webinar May 22 - How Sellable is your Business?

More calls to make as a result and more emails to send

Onwards and Upwards!

B2B Fair Business Breakfast, 7am start (blimey!)…

theEmother — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:42:50 +0000

I mean seriously! As if my brain possibly functions at that early time, not to mention my body…

I can’t be the only one who thinks such an early start is a little ridiculous. Yes, it is another way to squeeze more stuff into your already very full day but is it really necessary? I mean really necessary?

Nonetheless…what’s brought this on you may well ask? Tomorrow morning I’ve been invited to attend the B2B Fair Business Breakfast at The Edge in Federation Square. I could have said no, but you know, just sometimes that may not be the smart response to give. So by saying yes, I am now attending this event as part of the Victorian Fair Trade Festival.

I’m going to learn about why other progressive organisations choose to be a Fair Trade workplace. No doubt I will walk away with nuggets of worth. I am after all becoming increasingly interested in true “Social Enterprises”, one’s that are commercial viable like “Seven Women” (hence why I’m on the Management Committee).

No doubt all will be revealed, starting at 7am. And once I’m up, I’m sure all will be forgiven too. Wish me good health!

Webinar – How Sellable is Your Business?

theEmother — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:29:54 +0000

How Sellable is My Business?

Isn’t this a most timely question… How Sellable is MY Business? And my colleague, Choon Ng, is conducting a Webinar on this very subject!

So you might want to tune in…

He will guide you through issues such as:-

What are the Exit Options available to most business owners?
When is the Best time to Exit?
How to determine what your business is REALLY worth?
Strategies and Tactics to enhance the value of your business.
The Deal Breakers That Can be Avoided when preparing your business for sale.
How to look beyond the obvious when you think of succession/exit options.

If you’re contemplating selling any time soon, now’s the time to find out what you need to know.

To register, click here

Choon is the senior partner at Hurst Partners and is an active Business Broker and Registered Business Valuer (Australian Institute of Business Brokers). In his 8 years working extensively with business owners of small to medium size businesses, he has seen all kinds of businesses… good and bad.

to add an equity partner or not to add, that Is the question?

theEmother — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:21:07 +0000

I’m always curious to know why Business Owners quite freely jump to the suggestion of bringing in an equity partner when thinking of growth. Especially if they claim they have funds to add to the pot! Whereas the option of Growth by Acquisition rarely gets a look in.

I’m not suggesting for one minute that it’s not an option, not at all. But it is often flippantly thrown about as one of a number, almost without real considered thought behind it.

Knowing someone, whether it be for a long time or short, does not mean you know what they will be like as a business partner. Let’s not mention all the decisions you’ve always made will no longer be all yours to make. Plus there’s the issues about how to spend money, what to do with profits, what staff to bring on, what role each of you are to play, etc…

The way I structured this decision, way back in the heady days of aCE talentNET was to have my prospective business partner work as a sub-contractor for 12 months. If a relationship is going to work, or not, doubts will have raised their head by the conclusion of that time frame, enabling both of you to shake hands and walk away, before any real damage is done.

I wish we had followed the same protocol when bringing on partner #3 but that’s another story. Warning: don’t always let reputation get in the way of adhering to your process.

Having had one way work and the other be a disaster, I know which I will repeat again in future. Something I strongly urge all Business Owners to really think through when broaching the same topic in considering growth options.

Think about it from an Exit Strategy point of view. How much easier is it to at least get to the sale decision when there’s only you. The more people you add to the decision making process, the more delay fatigue will potentially set in.

Growth by Acquisition on the other hand means you may be able to negotiate to have the best of both worlds ie the additional revenues and client list, without necessarily taking on the exiting partners… think about it…

Top 100 Entrepreneurship Blogs To Follow in 2013…

theEmother — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:17:23 +0000

Very pleased to be No. 93… got to love that!

An infographic by the team at CouponAudit

TEMpting: how Business Sellers and Buyers have been tempted this week…

theEmother — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:00:19 +0000

GET YOUR SCORE!

If any of the following tickle your fancy,
please contact me by emailing sell@theentrepreneurialmother.com
letting me know which one it is…

PLUS:
Webinar arranged for May 22, details to follow

BS2 = Online Retailer
Plan B – Due Diligence concluded, to be settled early May
PENDING

*
BS8 Waiting on Seller
Change of plans due to recent events…
ON HOLD
*
BS9 = Specialist Leadership and Talent Management Provider
Completed Sellability Score.
Looking to a 2013-14 kick off, getting all ducks in a row in the meantime.
*
BS10 = Specialist Offline Retailer
Completed Sellability Score.
1st meeting completed, next steps discussed.
Proposal offered, awaiting response.
*
BS11 = Hairdresser
Completed Sellability Score.
First chat April 8. Waiting on Stage 2 financials.
Buyer presented but decision made not to sell…
*
BS13 Specialist Equipment Provider
Completed Sellability Score.
Recommendations being pursued with favourable feedback.
ON HOLD
*
BS14 Leading Book Supplier
Completed Sellability Score
Financials received, more to come. Currently going through refinancing dramas!
*

BS19 Leading Wedding Services Provider
1st meeting had, waiting on Stage 2 financials – due in next week
*
BS20 Window Cleaner
“Sellability Score” completed
“Snapshot” delivered with offer to discuss what to do about low score. Awaiting response.
*
BS22 Business “Consultancy”
Completed Sellability Score
Stage 2 of process in play, waiting financials

*
BS23 Health and Well Being Studio
engagement locked in
FOR SALE

BS24 Beauty Salon with a Twist

not sure what they want to do but “first prize” is to raise capital and roll out more stores

arranged meeting set with capital raiser May 6

meeting resulted in proposal to be offered

BS25 Sales and Services

Completed Sellability Score

Proposal offered, awaiting decision

The “Sellability Score” reports continue to dribble in each and every week.
Webinar arranged for May 22. Details to follow…

More calls to make as a result and more emails to send

Onwards and Upwards!

How Long Do You Hang On To The BIG Idea?

theEmother — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:11:17 +0000

An idea has been rolling along, sometimes with momentum and other times stalled, for 14 years now. It is still almost the centre of the Dreamers world. Money has been spent, aeroplanes have been boarded, presentations have been made, so many coffees, lunches and dinners consumed… but has it all worth it? Will the “thing” ever get over the line?

Well, the Dreamer thinks so. Met him for coffee today (yes, another one) and got the updates on the status of a number of ongoing projects, all related to the BIG dream. With a select few that help keep it alive, there’s lots of interest (always is), lots of talking (always is), lots of nothing concrete happening though and lots of no money following suite! When do you cut your losses and stop?

“Never” is his response. It’s the reason he gets up in the morning and the reason he says up late at night. He firmly believes the world will be a better place once the BIG idea kicks in, which provides the ongoing flame to keep stoking the fire. If the Dream fuels the activity, is that such a bad thing? Regardless of whether it eventually ignites, or not?

Who are we to say? Maybe the world will be a better place and maybe it won’t. But if it provides a fire in the belly that drives continuous activity rather than instead performing veggie-like curled up on the couch, isn’t that the payoff? All hail to him I say, gotta love the commitment…