By event participant Skye Owen
Today began with a beach walk at 6.45am. It was quite still and comfortably warm, and the clouds soon disappeared to reveal a beautiful sunrise. A school of salmon close to the shore leapt out of the water while feeding from a school of smaller fish. And not a fisherman in sight!
Reflecting on the previous evening, I’m surprised how much I’ve learnt already. We have a Google photo account so we can share camp pics. We have a Chat Room account to share stories and keep in touch. We have the full camp schedule on our Google calendar. As an IT luddite, I was anxious I wouldn’t be able to use any of these products, but with Andy’s patient support, I’m finding it’s not so difficult.
After a delicious coffee at Blend, we were given free rein to WFA on our business. I popped home for a bit and was tempted to stay home and work. But I pushed aside my natural hermit instinct and got back to the Beachside Barn, grabbed a table and worked alongside my camp friends.
As I scanned the room, taking in my fellow campers, it struck me that [insert]
The Saarinens are here … Kay and Gregg, with daughter Gemma. From Wyndham, they produce and sell eco-friendly, sustainable skin care through their business, Saarinen Organics. If you haven’t heard of them or read about them, you must be living under a rock! I’ve written a few stories about their business in the past 12 months and to me, they are the ultimate can-do couple. Kay and Gregg immerse themselves in professional development and business enhancement opportunities, such as the WFA TagAlong camp, which is probably why their business is doing so well. They’re passionate about what they do and how they do it, and best of all, they have a great sense of humour. Kay is hilarious and constantly makes me laugh out loud.
Jackie Parry is the founder of SisterShip Training and has more than 20 years of commercial and recreational maritime experience, including sailing around the world. She runs courses and teaches people everything about boating, and her business is doing well. She is the first person to come over to me and have a chat. So lovely!
Kristi Sproates founded Appy Connections, which supports people with disability to learn and connect using mobile technologies. This week is a major milestone week for Kristi as she’s onboarding her first employee. She’s nervous and excited. I think she’s amazing.
Cheryl Nelson I secretly call the Chook Lady. There is nothing she doesn’t know about chickens and I’m thrilled to meet her as I’ve always wanted a few chooks in the backyard. Now is my chance to learn from an expert. Cheryl founded and runs Natural Chicken Health and produces a specially formulated chicken treatment called Super Mash. She used to write a Chook Chat column for About Regional. You can read it on her website and watch her video blogs. Next door has three chickens and I’m going to buy them some Super Mash and secretly feed them.
Mal Barnes of Mal’s Pizza Bite is here with his wife Gina. Gorgeous couple. I know about Mal because I’ve interviewed him and written a story about his business. He’s here to learn how to take a step back from the business, and he and Gina hope to travel around Australia soon. I hope they get to realise this dream and have some time to enjoy themselves and life after working so hard for so long.
Julie Novotny has so many fingers in so many pies I’m not sure I have a grasp of them all. She’s a photographer and runs a business called Local Business Connections. I think she also runs a businesswomen’s networking group. I need to have a proper chat and find out more.
Some of the TagAlong campers aren’t here yet, so I will reveal more when they get here.
Group Collaboration in the afternoon is for the business owners to ask Andy and each other specific questions about running a business. I’m a little lost in the conversation as I don’t have a business. Kristi has to onboard her first employee and asks if there is a system to help her do this. And then the discussions begin, on this system and that system. It’s a great collaboration session and it looks like people are satisfied with the options they’ve discussed.
Happy Hour at the barn begins at 5.30pm and at 6.30pm we have a treat; Tathra oyster tasting with Gary Rodely. I didn’t make it because I got caught up with work, but I’m told everyone loved learning about oysters and eating them. Dinner is at leisure, which means you can go out or cook yourself.
Tomorrow we go kayaking. I’ve not done that before and I’m a bit anxious. I dream about capsizing over and over. At least I can swim.