Sally Bagshaw & Rebecca George

The Lady in Charge: Sally Bagshaw
Business name: Snappy Sentences
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Launched: December 2008
Website: www.snappysentences.com.au

Hit us with your elevator pitch:
Snappy Sentences is a copywriting business that specialises in writing for the web. We’ll provide you with snappy content that is engaging, targeted and optimised for search engines.
We offer web content writing workshops, web style guide development, and general web content reviews.
Snappy Sentences can also spice up your traditional marketing materials – from media releases and newsletters to brochures and other publications.

What drove you to go it alone?
I’ve been in web management for a number of years and – while I enjoy it – I had started to miss being the one actually doing the writing. By starting my own business I’ve been able to get back to basics and provide clients with a tailored service that I get a real kick out of.
Being able to work with a range of clients provides a constant source of variety and interest; it keeps my skills up to date and my creative juices flowing!

What do you find the most difficult, and the most rewarding, aspects of running your own business?
Writing and the web are my two passions, so it’s been extremely rewarding to finally combine the two (and get recognised for it!). The biggest challenge so far is sourcing new clients without over committing – you don’t want to knock back work, but at the same time you need to be careful you don’t take on things you can’t deliver.
So far I’ve been extremely fortunate that a lot of my work has been from word-of-mouth referrals. I’m very grateful that people think of me when asked for a recommendation.

The Lady in Charge: Rebecca George
Business name: Miss Green’s Wardrobe
Location: Melbourne
Launched: March 2009
Website: www.missgreenswardrobe.com.au

Hit us with your elevator pitch:
Miss Green’s Wardrobe is comprised around a series of events based on the concept of “swapping fashion items”. This new, exciting and innovative event aims to provide an alternative solution for fashion-savvy women and men to update their wardrobes in a more eco-friendly and economical manner through the exchange of unwanted fashion items for new-found wardrobe material. Swappable items include clothes, shoes and accessories of high quality, in peak condition.
The aim behind my venture is to raise awareness and provide information about more “friendly” options fashion lovers can adopt, in order to contribute towards a more sustainable future, with style!

What drove you to go it alone?
In 2006, at age 16, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorders. On reflection I had been struggling with it for at least five years. Since the diagnosis, I’ve been learning how to manage my condition.
It’s been challenging at times, some more than others. As a result it’s been difficult for me to hold a part-time job, so I figured realistically I would have to work for myself – under my own conditions, rather then someone else’s.

What’s one thing you want to change, or introduce to your business, soon as you have enough money?
As soon as we have the financial resources, we will be re-styling and updating the website to portray a more professional look.
I also have many ideas about how I’d like to expand the business and create sister businesses with the same philosophy to that of Miss Green’s Wardrobe, but offer a different product. I’ve also written a book that I’m looking at publishing in the near future!

Starting out in business is never easy – at least we’re yet to hear from someone who says it was – so New Kids on the Block is a SNOBS’ initiative to help businesswomen who’ve just begun (the business must have been trading for less than one year).

If you’d like to grab a little spotlight for your new business, write to us via the contact page and we’ll let you know if you’re eligible.

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