Here at Healthy Business Finances – we love numbers, we love accounting systems, we love spreadsheets and we love financial reports.

However we know that often this is not necessarily everyone else’s priority or love.

Throughout June, we will be profiling other business owners so that we can share their financial fears, story, journey and wisdom with us!  Through sharing our story, I believe we can break through the financial fears and grow stronger as business owners.

The first in our series across the month sharing her story is Karen Velakoulis From Connected Communications.

I have met Karen on several occasions and as well as being an amazing woman, I love that Karen is open to trying new systems but still keeping true to herself.  Here is Karen’s story.

 

1. Firstly, tell us a bit about yourself and your fabulous business.

I’m a passionate marketer and communicator, a mum and a Buddhist.

My goal is to see clients effectively communicate their message out to their audience. We do this together, working on the strategy and development of their website and social media marketing, ensuring each platform delivers a consistent brand and message.

I like to work closely with each client and offer a flexible approach providing as much or as little help as my clients need. As each client and each project is different, time is taken with each project to put together a bespoke solution.

2. What do you love about your business? The clients, the work, the flexibility, the freedom ?

The greatest aspect of my business is working with clients that are passionate about their business. The passion they have becomes one of the key elements when we are planning and structuring their project.

It is important for me to maintain a flexible working week to fit the different school day pick ups. I’m also a big believer in leading by example. Working in my own business allows my daughter to witness the benefits of flexibility and yes sometimes in the school holidays she joins me at client meetings.

3. What financial systems did you use when you first started your business (and it is OK to admit perhaps you didn’t use anything – business is a journey !)

Hmmmm…  It was all done manually in excel.

4. What financial fears did you have? This can include a fear of dealing with the numbers, a fear of seeing what the numbers will say, a fear of dealing with all the invoices and paperwork, a fear of getting it wrong, a fear of failure, a fear of the Tax Office or a fear of simply being overwhelmed by the obligations of being a business owner?

My financial fears are a combination of dealing with numbers and then what they actually equate to after a hard month of working. Arghh!! Getting it wrong, all the paperwork and the Tax Office they’re all areas that I can creatively avoid.

5. What information would you have loved to have known or understood (from a financial viewpoint) when you first started your business that you now deem invaluable?

You! (Stacey secretly blushed when she read this)

6. What systems do you now use to streamline the financial aspects of your business – programs, apps, resources?

I use a great package purchased from Healthy Business Finances – the Non Accounting System System 2015. The name says it all!

7. What pieces of wisdom can you share with other business owners about overcoming some of those financial fears?

Get coaching and guidance from Stacey! (more blushing here from Stacey)

8. Numbers are a passion for me – but so is travel, food and family. What are you passions outside of your business.

Travel will always be at the top of my list! Life for me is like a big book with many chapters to explore and delve into.   Without traveling and taking the time to explore and experience different cities, cultures, foods and much more, for me it would mean I’m still only at chapter one. I want to keep turning the pages and get to the end of the book with a life fulfilled of joyful experiences.

Thank you so much Karen for sharing your story.

Sometimes facing numbers and financial obligations as a business owner can be daunting and intimidating.  Our aim at Healthy Business Finances in our Financial Coaching Sessions is to reduce the fear, reduce the stress – and heck – we even want to have a few smiles and a bit of fun along the way.

If you need help with your marketing, communication and social media strategy then you can follow and connect with Karen via facebook, website or via linkedin.