Tracy is a single mum of two girls, a volunteer fire fighter and the owner of Outback Aromas – a business that sells gorgeous eco-friendly gift boxes filled with amazing goodies for men, women and kids. Tracy has a phenomenal social conscience which ultimately led her to develop her business and in the process become an inspiration for the rest of us.
How did you start your business?
I first started when I enrolled in a TAFE course for Business II all revved up to do something in business. I found a party plan company and I was with them for 2 years selling soaps and bath and body products. This was a good concern, but I found that out in the Wheatbelt [Western Australia] some of the products did not fit the climate or lifestyle. Everyone wants to find time to slow down and be one with nature so I decided to find products that help the environment and cut out the middle man. To get products direct and save people money - organic, recycled, handmade & chemical free products in hampers & party boxes. The party boxes are also unique to each order as they are made up especially for the customer.
Outback Aromas was born. My shed has just been renovated, so the business will be able to go full steam ahead now.
Take us through a typical day for you?
I usually get up at 5 am, do some exercise and check my e-mails. Then I make some new creations on the boxes (that have come to me in my dreams) or fill any orders that have come in. Make breakfast for my daughters and myself. Make lunches and do the girls hair. Feed our eleven year old cat, then I’m out the door to my day job. I go home at lunch time to pack orders, answer emails, organise dinner for that evening. Then back to work.
Pick up my daughters at 5 pm unless they have ballet, basketball or netball. Grab anything I need from the shops, unpack kids and food. Homework, showers, dinner, bedtime routine.
Start some new projects, do the accounts and usually have a nice glass of something. Crawl into bed at around 10 pm. As I am a volunteer fire fighter sometimes a fire calls, usually at 1-2 am. SO I have to wake up the kids and bundle them into the car, drop them off at friends, then rush off to the fire station. I have to be changed and on the truck to go to the incident in 10 minutes from the time I have left home. Anytime between 2 to 12 hours later I get back to the station, then head home to get the girls.
Another working day has begun. So much fun to be had and I just love the adrenaline rush. Being a volunteer fire fighter has shown me that I have many strengths and gifts to give to others.
Does the business fit in with you and your children, or do you work around the business?
The business definitely fits in around us. The girls are involved in a lot of sport. They are very active. My busiest time would be at lunch as the girls are at school and I can run around and organise everything then. I started the business so I can be home for the girls & having a full time job is just paying the mortgage until the business finds its feet.
What are the benefits of working from home?
You can be in the comfort of your own surroundings. You set the schedule and it fits your lifestyle. When I first started the business it was a party plan system which was great but all I really was doing was driving 2 hours to get to a party, then have the party (which were always great) and drive 2 hours back again. The girls would complain about the travelling so I had to change that. I will be launching a virtual shop on the web soon and enjoying working from the cosiness of my home.
What are the pitfalls of working from home?
You can’t escape the business at the end of the day. Sometimes the solitude of working on a project that no one understands is difficult. I can see the big picture but no one else can. Friends dropping around at the most busiest times and wanting to chat, but that can also be a positive as they usually go home with something new that I have brought into the business.
How do you manage to balance work & family?
The girl’s time with me is very important and the business waits until their needs are met. On the other hand the girls know that when mum is in the ZONE you will not get any sense out of me. My father is a great help and takes the girls to their sporting activities if I really have to finish an order. My full time employer is great too as when I have an RDO (usually when I really need to be at a show or meeting) they will give it to me.
