St Patrick’s Day- Catherine Gabbott, Owner and Director of Suppawtive Health Solutions

In the lead up to St Patrick’s Day, we are recognising the contributions of Irish business people who now call Australia home. In this article we interview Catherine Gabbott, owner of Suppawtive Health Solutions.

What is your fondest memory of Ireland?

The winter snow was always one of my favourite times. Both as a child and as a teenager in college we would engage in snowball fights and have a lot of good fun and laughs doing so. As an adult, I really appreciated the history of Ireland. The vikings invaded Dublin in 988 and evidence of their habitats exists to this day. Ireland has a long rich history which is evidenced in its architecture and artefacts, like the Book of Kells which is housed in Trinity College. For me, the images of Dublin City evoke fond memories of growing up there rather than images of green rolling hills. This is because I am a city girl and always will be, Dublin will always be where my heart belongs.

What made you the business person you are today?

I originally started out in IT but have always had a love to work with animals. A few years ago I got the opportunity to work as a dog trainer with the RSPCA in Queensland. It was this opportunity that enabled me to realise a new passion in my life. It led me to study a Diploma in Animal Naturopathy and starting my own company.

I can’t pinpoint one thing that made me the business person I am today, but a lot of life’s hurdles helped me grow as a person as well as some great opportunities that opened the proverbial doors. I have always followed what I felt was right at the time and believed that I have the capability to do whatever I set my mind too. I believe that it is more this drive and belief in myself while doing something that I love that has made me into the business person I am today.

What does your typical work day involve?

A typical day for me involves checking emails, making appointments and visiting clients in their home to discuss their animals health and nutrition. Following a consult I prepare a treatment plan that is customised to the clients pet. A follow up consult occurs 2-4 weeks after the initial consult to review the animal and monitor its progress.

I will very soon be a qualified Canine Bowen Therapist. This means I can use massage to help dogs recover from physical injuries or where they are stiff and sore due to soft tissue problems and degenerative conditions.

Why do you do what you do?

I started on this path due to the death of a beloved pet, my dog Pepper. All his life Pepper had been plagued with health issues from hot spots, ear infections, itchy paws to tummy upsets. After his death from pancreatitis I started researching animal nutrition and basically had a light bulb moment. I realised that what I had been feeding him was the cause of all his problems. I then enrolled to study Animal Nutrition and loved what I was learning so much I quickly realised that this was a career that I wanted to follow.

When you speak to people in the animal care industry, many will have an animal in their life that somehow influenced their decision to get into this field. Whether it was adopting a rescue animal, taking a dog to a training class and then become a dog trainer, to having a sick animal. Although Pepper’s death was a terrible tragedy it was his death that put me onto this path and the belief that I can help prevent another animal suffering the way he did.

What is instilled in you from your Irish upbringing that has made you the person you are today?

The Irish people have a passion and drive that is different to other cultures. I have lived around the world and there is something different about the Irish. I think growing up in the era that I did, where there was a big change happening in Ireland, helped me stand up for what I believe in and follow what I believe is the truth. In the field that I am in there is a lot of skepticism and controversy so you have to be strong to stand by your beliefs for the betterment of a pets life.

What don’t we have in Australia that is in Ireland you would like to bring here?

Australian doesn’t have the architecture that I miss from Ireland, the really old buildings dating back many centuries. However, Australia has sunshine which is something seriously lacking in Ireland.

 

10 Things to make your hobby a business

Many businesses have started from humble beginnings as a hobby. The hobby expands as word spreads. You have to decide whether to keep your hobby as just that, a hobby you do in your spare time, or you look to develop it into a business.

“If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life.”

Here are 10 things to make your hobby a business

  1. ‘Failing to plan is planning to fail!’

    Starting the conversation with someone, such as your accountant or business consultant, is an important step. Preparing for the transition is important!

  2. Legal structure.

    Will your business be a sole trader, partnership, company, trust or joint venture? These are the different possible legal structures your business will be set up in. Don’t rush to your solicitor for this straight away until you have spoken with your accountant.

  3. Register a business name.

    You need to decide on your business name. But more importantly, you need to register it.

  4. Get an Australian Business Number or ABN.

    This is done after you decide what legal structure your business will be and its business name, though you can add the business name later if you wish.

  5. Take out insurance.

    A given for nearly every business will be insurances. Getting the right insurances is important to cover you and others. Speaking to an Insurance broker will identify the insurance types you will need.

  6. Legal contracts.

    For consultants and service providers you may need contracts with clients. Providers of goods may require terms and conditions of sale. These can be in many forms, but they maybe the difference between a good and bad outcome for you and your customers.

  7. Funding your first year.

    You will need to look at what your ability is to fund the business. This can come in various forms as self funded ie from your own money, borrowed from family and friends, or taking out a loan from a loan provider. Knowing how much you will need is important. What’s more important is going in big and borrowing more than you can repay. Many start-ups in technology financed their beginnings with student loans and credit cards.

  8. Marketing.

    This can range from a logo, business cards, social media, email and websites. With many businesses needing to have an online presence, getting it right can be critical to your success! Having an online business also means you may be selling your products online. This also requires someone to look at your accounting package for linking to your online account.

  9. Bookkeeping.

    You will need to have some type of book keeping in place to record your income and expenses. It is also a requirement that you issue your clients a tax invoice for sales. This might be a simple set up as an exercise book and a receipt book from the local stationery shop. But having a good small business accounting package can help you manage this. Speak to an experienced bookkeeper to know which one is best for you and your business.

  10. Budget.

    With many of what we have just talked about, you will need a budget of how much everything is going to cost and how much you need to be making before you can quit your day job. Getting this wrong could be a costly mistake. Sitting down with someone who understands you and your business and who has experience in preparing budgets is critical to your success.

  11. BONUS: Don’t quit your day job.

    Seriously, until you’re confident the business can fund your personal needs, don’t quit your job. Try to work on your business outside of your employed work hours and build it from there.

Why does Foley Business Management want you to know this? Well our purpose is to build sustainable communities and to create a better world for our childrens’ children. Many businesses fail in their first year, causing immense pressure on those involved. Knowing whether to start a business is the right thing to do for all involved. This is why we take a holistic approach to our clients, not just preparing financial statements and leaving it to the client to work out on their own. We provide financial management solutions to small businesses, not for profits and social enterprise so they can make informed decisions. For many people, going into business is a big step. One that will affect you, your family and your community.

If you would like to speak to one of our consultants for a free 30 minute consultation, please contact us to organise a time that is convenient. Taking your from a hobby to a business can be a rewarding experience for you, your family and your community! Let’s make sure you do it the right way.

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