By Nicole Precel
HOBSONS Bay Business Excellence Awards emerging business winner Trish Langford is a pro with dogs, and a pro with business.
Her micro business, Hobsons Bay Pet Care, based in South Kingsville and established in 2007, offers dog walking, holiday pet care and canine behavioural therapy and has since grown to service over 80 clients.
Ms Langford, 35, said entering the Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards last year was not only a boost for her business, but also helped her clarify the direction and motivation of her business.
She said while the application process was taxing, it was worthwhile.
“Going through risk management procedures really helped me think clearly about the business as a whole,” she said.
She said business owners should see the awards as spending time on your business rather than in your business.
“It’s very easy to be busy, but it’s hard to make money, so it’s always worth taking a step back and really looking at it,” she said.
She also aims to remain environmentally sustainable by working in a small area and limited car travel, her entire house, which is her office, is solar powered and she emails her invoices rather than posting them.
“When you run your own business, it’s really you can get very involved with the day-to-day sorting out of problems, just the actually work, to take time to step back and look at things with more of an analytical eye is beneficial,” she said.
Nominations close on 3 September and winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Williamstown Town Hall on 22 October. Businesses can also register for free awards submission writing workshops. For more information, call Sally Curtis, business and tourism officer on 9932 1000 or email business@hobsonsbay.gic.gov.au
To download forms please visit www. hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/businessexcellence.
