I try to meditate as often as I can (but not as often as I should!) but I would probably use the time to go on a walk to the local creek and skim a few rocks, or go and play with my kids if they are home from school.
I’m inspired everyday by my two children aged 4 and 7. Oli, 7, has an amazing understanding of the world, and the impact that humans have on it, and he inspires me to make sure I leave this world having made a positive, rather than a negative or neutral, impact.
I’ve been inspired by so many people over the years including Richard Branson who was the first entrepreneur I really looked up to when studying, and more recently social enterprise entrepreneurs such as founder of Toms Shoes, Blake Mycoskie who have used business to make an incredible impact.
From about 6 years old I was planning shops I wanted to start, or businesses I wanted to run when I was older. I had a car wash business in school, and even sub-contracted out my paper rounds at one point! After university I entered the corporate world but always knew one day I would start my own business, and the opportunity came when I was unemployed. That was over 13 years ago and I don’t think I could ever go back to a regular job now!
I love spending time with my family outdoors, either on a walk, trip to the beach or weekend away camping. I also enjoy spending time in our veggie garden and orchard at home.
The best thing is definitely the freedom! I love having the freedom to work when I choose, where I choose and on my own terms! I’ve structured my business in a way that has allowed me to work from a caravan whilst travelling around Australia for six months, and while backpacking around South East Asia for three months with two young kids!
The worst thing is definitely the freedom! The downside of freedom is the lack of structure and accountability. It’s a constant struggle to find balance and know when to switch off! Not having a boss to restrict freedom sometimes means I’ve gotten away with more procrastination than I probably should have been doing!
Always when I step away from my desk and immerse myself in nature. It’s so easy to get stuck behind my desk, looking at the screen trying to tick off an endless to-do list. But when I make the effort to move my body, and get into nature I always come back motivated, refreshed and usually with a new idea (or three!).
Spend less time planning and more time doing. I often see new soloists getting stuck in gaining knowledge, making plans and making everything perfect, and never actually launching anything. In my experience the idea you have now, won’t be the exact business you have in the future, and so the best thing you can do now is get something out in to the world, gather feedback and then revise, improve and refine.
Breeze Mobility is a small, but growing, online retailer of high-quality mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, walkers and daily living supports, supplied to a range of customers throughout Australia. Moving towards a more impact-driven business model in 2020 and beyond to help organisations who support people with disabilities or who are disadvantaged in some way.
And where can we find out more about Tom White, Breeze Mobility?
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