Colleen ODea

My little lounge lizard. #goldenretriever #goldenretrievers #goldenpuppy #loungelizard #lazydays #dogsofperth

Wise doggo #dogs #wisedog #stressless #stressrelief #stressfree #stressbegone #carefree

Wednesday- brought to you by our productive admin assistant ‘Bear’. #sleepingdog #sleepingdogsofinstagram #admin #adminassistant #dogs #dogslife #cutedog

Whilst we've been talking about our goals 2025, here's a big one for me! 🛑 Learn to Say 'No' Hack: Protect your time by declining opportunities or tasks that don't align with your goals. - YES YES YES Tool Tip: Keep a checklist of your business priorities visible - 100% yes! Why It Works: Every 'yes' to one thing is a 'no' to something else. - So True #sayno #saynomore #businessgrowth #dogtrainerbusiness #smallbusinesssupportingsmallbusiness #womeninsmallbusinessperth #SmallBusinessTips #smallbusinessaustralia #smallbusinessowner #2025Vision

Now that step 1 is done let's move to .... 2 step Define Clear Goals for 2025 Big Picture Goals: Define your overarching objectives (e.g., revenue targets, new services, market expansion). SMART Goals: Ensure goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Focus Areas: Choose 3-5 main focus areas (e.g., client acquisition, social media growth, mentorship program launch). #SmallBusinessTips #smallbusinessowner #smallbusinesssupportingsmallbusiness #smallbiz #fearlesswomen #mindsetmatters #smallbusinessaustralia #2025Vision

Setting yourself up to achieve your business goals in 2025 requires clarity, strategy, and intentional action. Here’s a tip to help you achieve that. 1. Reflect and Review 2024 Wins and Lessons: Identify what worked well and what didn’t. Core Metrics: Review financials, growth, client satisfaction, and team performance. Mindset Check: Assess your personal and professional mindset. Action Step: Write a year-in-review document highlighting key lessons. #womeninsmallbusinessperth #smallbusinesssupportingsmallbusiness #smallbiz #SmallBusinessTips #businessgrowth #smallbusinessowner #2025Vision #2024Reflections

Let’s talk about rest. Or, as I like to call it: Rest = Work. If you’re a small business owner—whether you’re running a micro bakery, a dog training biz, a cozy day spa, or anything in between—you probably know the feeling I’m about to describe. You sit down to do nothing (or what we think counts as nothing): maybe it’s reading a good book, sipping your favorite tea (mine’s T2 ‘Quiet Mind’ at the moment—highly recommend, by the way), crashing on the couch with the dogs, catching up with family or friends, or sneaking in a cheeky nanna nap. But then it hits you. That little pang of guilt whispering, “You should be working right now.” Oh, I know that voice so well. And honestly? It took me years to start tuning it out. These days, my mantra is simple: Rest = Work. My regulars will tell you, I preach this one loud and proud. One of the most important things I’ve worked towards (and continue to work on) is taking 1–2 consecutive days off as often as possible. And let me tell you—the difference it makes to my productivity, clarity, energy, and overall vibe for the week ahead is huge. Still skeptical? Cool. I challenge you: try it. Take those days, really lean into the pause, and see what happens. You might just find that “doing nothing” is actually one of the most valuable things you can do for your business—and for yourself. Go on, give it a shot. I dare you. #smallbusinessperthwa #businesscoachingtips #smallbusinessperth #dogtrainers #businessmentoring #womeninsmallbusinessperth #SmallBusinessTips #businessgrowth #smallbusinesssupportingsmallbusiness #smallbiz #smallbusinessowner

Time Hack #2

Time Hack #2 Automate Routine Tasks Hack: Automate emails, social media posts, and invoicing. Tool Tip: Use tools like Zapier, Buffer, and Dubsado. Why It Works: It frees up time to focus on strategy and growth instead of repetitive tasks. Check out time hack #3 tomorrow. #timehacks #2025Vision #businessgrowth #dogtrainerslife #smallbusiness #smallbusinessownerlife #SmallBusinessTips

The Daily Habit Every Small Business Owner Needs: Be an Eternal Optimist

Running a small business is not for the faint of heart, and as women navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, we often carry the weight of our dreams, families, and communities on our shoulders. But amidst the chaos and challenges, there’s one thing you must do every single day to thrive: be an eternal optimist. But what does that really mean? I recently watched the powerful film Still—a must-see documentary about Michael J. Fox available on Apple+. For those who don’t know, Fox has lived for decades with Parkinson’s disease, a condition that strips away control, including the ability to be physically still. Yet, his mindset is a masterclass in resilience. He describes himself as an "incurable optimist confronting an incurable disease." His outlook doesn’t ignore the reality of his situation; instead, it transforms it. Optimism isn’t about denying reality—it’s about choosing to believe in the possibility of a better one. By definition, an optimist is someone who thinks the best possible outcome will occur, hoping for it even if it seems unlikely. This thinking has been a cornerstone of my journey as a small business owner, and it’s rarely let me down. In fact, the times I’ve struggled most in business were the moments when I let my optimism be clouded or completely abandoned it. Those were the times I doubted, second-guessed, and hesitated instead of moving forward with conviction. So, how can we stay optimistic as business owners? Focus on What You Can Control Like Fox, we can’t always control our circumstances, but we can control our responses. Whether it's tackling challenges, seizing opportunities, or learning from setbacks, optimism helps you focus on action rather than despair. Feed Your Mind Daily Read, watch, or listen to stories that inspire you. Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision. Every day, remind yourself why you started your business and the impact you're creating. Hope Without Naivety Opt

“What Does $3,000 Mean to Your Business?” 💬 "$3,000 could fund a game-changing marketing campaign. $4,000 might cover new equipment. $5,000 could help you hire your first employee. But what if it’s just absorbed into rising costs instead?" For a small business owner turning over $60K, absorbing 5% annual inflation costs is $3,000 gone without return. At $80K, it’s $4,000; at $100K, it’s $5,000. Over 5 years, those costs balloon to $15K-$25K. Imagine what that could mean for your business: 📈 Targeted ads to attract new customers. 🤝 Hiring staff to free up your time. 💻 Investing in software or tools to streamline operations. 💡 Takeaway: Adjust your pricing slightly each year to reinvest in your business’s growth, instead of just treading water. Sounds easy initially right? But the more you think about the more you feel uncomfortable to it, but remember, if you don't, your the one worse off. Chrunch your number, how much is the feeling of ackwardness, discomfort, fear the 'No' actually going to cost you this year, let alone what it's cost you in all the years you've already been trading. #smallbusinesstips #raiseyourpricing #increaseyourprice #chargemore #dogtrainerslife #healthprofessionals #soletrader #KnowYourNumbers #businesscoach

Purpose Mission Core Values

The most important thing to do if your starting up a business - IMO #purpose #mission #corevalues #smallbusinesssupportingsmallbusiness #smallbusinessownersupport #smallbusinessaustralia

The Dangers of Operating a Small Business Without Knowing Your True Purpose. “Running a small business without knowing your true purpose is like sailing a ship without a compass.” Without a clear purpose, it’s easy to get lost. The day-to-day challenges of running a business are overwhelming, and without a guiding reason behind why you’re doing it, burnout is inevitable. Your purpose is what grounds you when the workload gets heavy and what motivates you when you’re ready to quit. It’s the deeper ‘why’ that makes every challenge worth facing. But when that ‘why’ isn’t clear, you’re more likely to: Feel unmotivated during tough times. Struggle with decision-making and long-term planning. Become disconnected from what matters most to you, leading to burnout. Create offers or services that don’t align with your true values, leading to unsatisfying work. The truth is, without purpose, it’s just too easy for your business to drift. You work endless hours, you lose track of why you started, and you end up feeling stuck. But when your purpose is front and center, you have a light that keeps guiding you forward—even through the darkest storms. Ask yourself: Why are you really doing this? What lights a fire in you? That’s where your purpose lies, and that’s what will help you succeed not only in business but in life. #smallbusnessowner #womeninbusiness #womeninbusinessaustralia #dogtrainersaustralia #dogtraineraustralia #vetclinic