small business

Melissa Yeomans

Some things take time

Like many I have had to take some time to figure out what this (2020) means and the best way to navigate it. Today is one of those days where I have taken some time out to attempt to plan ahead. I haven’t updated my blog in part because I have just been trying to figure out what it means for my company, those involved as either employees or ambassadors and myself. All of this has come at a time for us where we had taken on some extra help and were looking at our plans for the future and what that means for my parents within the business.

A couple of months ago we started to put into place procedures to manage and cope with what 2020 was throwing at us. The biggest change has been the fact that my father has not been able to be out spending time with our customers, instead he is with us in the warehouse. Normally Winter in particular he gets to travel the country chatting to many in our Industry, now it is on the phone. I guess we had a little heads up as we were speaking to suppliers in other countries and hearing what was happening to them.

Another big change is realising that I most likely will not be heading to Europe as normal to catch up with our suppliers in person, many we consider friends. So instead we make sure to keep in touch via email, phone calls or if possible depending on time differences utilising the camera and a mixer setup for us all to be involved in the chat.

Talking product development and learning as much as possible about the products available to us is possible remotely but not the same. Luckily we have developed such a great partnership with our brands that we are able to do this still, despite being so far away.

So whilst this year is different, many of us are still able to enjoy a moment on the water doing what we love. That first moment back on the water really reminded me why I put so much into DeckHardware, I honestly love seeing more and more people enjoy the sport of sailing and spending time outside on the water and in the sea air.

At this moment I am not sure what the Summer Season will hold for us. If I will get to travel as much to events as last year or if I will be in the warehouse more. The Aussie Skiffs will no doubt play a part and shape who can work when, with the guys looking forward to the season ahead.

Winter fun with the Skiffs and the first time back on the water.

Melissa Yeomans

Never stop learning

Just this morning I attended another seminar which is what has reminded me of everything I want to do. I am lucky enough that I live and work within Warringah Council who have a great Chamber of Commerce setup. It was surprising though I must admit that I was only one of 12 people in the room? A big thanks to Warringah Chamber of Commerce and Industry for putting together some great events for small businesses.

Those who work in Small Businesses will understand this one. The more you do and the more you learn the more there is to learn. DeckHardware is just a small family business and I like to try to keep up on the latest Technology, Laws, Marketing ideas, Products etc as much as possible. It seems though that my list of what I would like to do and learn just keeps getting longer rather than shorter! I see this all as self – growth though which is always good. There is still all the work that needs to be done on a daily basis and all this just adds to the work I do at home after hours and on weekends. After all the real work of running a business and earning enough to keep going has to come first.

The life of those in a small business is an interesting one. The long hours can be tough sometimes and in particular the lack of holidays. Over the past two weekends we have had public holidays in Australia which meant I got to work at home rather than at the warehouse. Which was great as I could focus for a few hours at a time.

It is a well-publicised fact that business owners struggle with a work life balance and I will admit that I do. I am lucky to have a handful of friends who have stood by me and supported me since we bought the business. Over the past few months I have been back working a little more rather than getting out on the water but that was in part due to a fractured foot. It is now healing fairly well and only getting a little stiff and sore when I do too much too soon. So over winter I have decided to focus more on getting my health back on track which will take away some time from volunteering on the water unfortunately. I hope though that I am then able to get out sailing this coming summer to work on that balance just a little bit better. Now that I have been officially diagnosed as Hyper Mobile it is getting a little easier to manage which is great.

Now don’t get me wrong I love my business and I love the research that I do for it I just love it. I just wish I could find the time or money to spend on some of the things I would love to do for DeckHardware as well as have a life. In the meantime I will continue to work on it and watch the business as it changes and grows. I am sure many of the things I would love to do will happen in time! So many dreams for our small family business and I am lucky to have so much support. Even as I type this I am watching our Facebook likes grow closer and closer to 1500 people. That I am extremely proud of!