NAN BERRETT

A long time ago I trained in public relations and event management - then I moved to rural South Australia with my family.

Thirty years ago there wasn't much call for my skills and I fell into journalism by accident - which is how I've mostly lived  my life (accidentally!!). I'd always loved writing and this became my dream job; one which occupied me for 24 years.

I worked as a rural journalist and had no intention of starting my own business when I 'retired' from work 12  years ago and had no clue what I would do next, but again things have a way of falling into place and I suddenly found myself with a client and an embryonic business. 

As an art gallery co-owner in Unley in the 70s and having run several small businesses over the years, including a gift shop and a health food store, as well as being a successful direct sales consultant, I had plenty of ideas about what would happen next.

I have always had a passion for small business loved being involved in building enterprises. I've had my share of failures too, but they have all been valuable learning experiences and when I left my role as a journalist and started on a new trajectory I found I was loving my work all over again. I found I also had a flair for helping entrepreneurial business owners, especially women, achieve their goals.

There has been a lot of time spent upskilling myself in areas I enjoy learning - such as social media, marketing, coaching and mentoring. I am particularly passionate about mentoring and supporting older women in business - probably because I am one!

I have also been fortunate to have had some exceptional leadership training made available to me over the past year or so.

Stepping in to the unknown without a safety  net 12  years ago was the best decision I ever made!