It’s amazing how the threads of our past experiences can shape the businesses we create. Growing up in a small business family, I learned firsthand what it takes to succeed, and I’d like to share a bit about my journey in founding The Outsource Boutique - my way of helping others make their impossible, possible.
Learning the Ropes: Growing Up in a Small Business
My journey began in the late 80s and early 90s, working after school hours in my parents’ construction business. While most of my peers were enjoying their afternoons, I was processing invoices, managing bookings, and scheduling staff and equipment. It was a fast-paced environment where multiple phone calls had to be managed simultaneously, all without the advanced technology we rely on today.
Watching my parents work tirelessly to meet their clients’ needs taught me invaluable lessons in work ethic, dedication, and quality service. Their business quickly became one of the leading names in their field, but it didn’t come without sacrifices. Long hours, late nights, and often weekends spent working became the norm. These early experiences ingrained in me a strong sense of independence and an understanding of the hard work that small business success requires.
Exploring New Horizons: My Early Career Journey
After leaving school, I ventured into the world of inbound tourism, where I was the only non-Japanese-speaking person in a Japanese travel agency. It was a challenging yet rewarding experience that built my resilience and adaptability. However, the dream of becoming a representative on the Australian inline speed skating team led me to explore a different path. Although injuries ultimately sidelined my ambitions, it pushed me toward new adventures in the corporate world.
I entered the development consultancy and real estate space and later transitioned into marketing and events management. One of the most significant roles I took on was as the executive assistant for four board directors simultaneously while managing the complexities of a major merger between two legacy companies. This role allowed me to fine-tune my event management and marketing skills, which would later serve as a crucial foundation for The Outsource Boutique.
The Turning Point: Finding Balance Between Work and Family
Like many career-driven individuals, I found myself at a crossroads when my personal and professional lives clashed. After the birth of my first daughter, I longed for a role that offered the flexibility to balance my work with raising my family. This opportunity came in the form of an administration and events manager position with the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA). Working from home with my baby in tow, I managed monthly member lunches with guest speakers from around the country. It was the perfect fit—until the UDIA restructured, and my role was made redundant.
This coincided with a family relocation to Brisbane, and I took this as a chance to focus on my young children. Yet, as the kids grew older and started school, I began to feel a void. I took on some side jobs, but nothing filled that sense of purpose I craved. Eventually, I found myself back in real estate, this time as a Business Development Manager. However, the role quickly ballooned from a part-time commitment to an overwhelming 80-hour workweek. I was burning out fast, working long days and sacrificing precious time with my family.
The Bold Step: Creating The Outsource Boutique for Small Business Support
The breaking point came when I realised I could no longer sustain this pace. I wasn’t living the life I had envisioned, and I wasn’t being rewarded financially for the immense effort I was putting in. More importantly, I was missing out on time with my family. When I suggested to my employer that an offshore virtual assistant (VA) could help alleviate some of the workload, my request was dismissed. That’s when I made the boldest decision of my career—I quit and walked out the door with my head held high knowing I was in the drivers seat for the first time in a long time..
Taking six months to reflect and regroup, I began to realise that my skillset—years of experience as a corporate Executive Assistant, Events Manager, and Marketer—could be the foundation of something new. I understood the challenges that small business owners faced, having grown up watching my parents navigate the difficulties of running a business without the necessary support. I knew I could help, and that’s how The Outsource Boutique was born.
The name came naturally: "Outsource" because I was offering businesses the opportunity to delegate their tasks, and "Boutique" because it would be a small, bespoke service tailored to the individual needs of each client. I launched a Facebook business page, created a simple website, and put out the message that I was open for business.
Building on Trust: The Early Days
The very first person to reach out to me was one of the Board Directors I had worked with in the past. He needed help managing some administrative work for his wife’s NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) paperwork. He asked me if I was personally handling the work or if it was being outsourced overseas—a question that highlighted how critical trust was to him. When I confirmed it was me doing the work, he became my first client.
This relationship, built on years of mutual trust and respect, was the foundation that allowed The Outsource Boutique to grow. Soon after, I picked up more work from a local dance studio and a small real estate agency. It wasn’t always easy—cash flow was inconsistent, and there were times when I wasn’t sure if the business would take off. But I took a leap of faith, secured a retainer client, and haven’t looked back since.
Conclusion: Making Your Impossible, Possible
My journey to founding The Outsource Boutique is deeply personal, shaped by a lifetime of experiences in small business, corporate settings, and the challenges of balancing family with work. Through it all, my goal has remained the same: to help small business owners manage their workload, reduce overwhelm, and find the support they need to thrive.
The Outsource Boutique is built on trust, reliability, and a genuine desire to see other businesses succeed. Whether it’s managing your admin tasks, organising your events, or providing tailored business support, we’re here to make your impossible, possible.
Commenti