The Marketing Coach is proud to support the BusinessMums Playgroup which started in Canberra in February 2007.

The BusinessMums Playgroup is a non-profit playgroup aimed at providing support for mothers who have chosen to start and run their own businesses whilst staying at home and raising their children.

The playgroup provides a friendly environment where the children can play and mums can break some of the isolation that often comes with working from home.

The playgroup takes place on Mondays from 10am to 12pm. It operates in a purpose-built playgroup venue with:

• A safe, softfall-covered outdoor play area with sandpit, climbing structure, tricycles, scooters, balls and plenty of outside toys
• An indoor toyroom with cubby-house, climbing gym, toys, dress-ups, library and musical instruments
• A fully-stocked craft area
• A child-sized bathroom for the kids and a separate bathroom for adults
• Changetables, bouncers and high-chairs
• Comfortable chairs for breastfeeding
• A secure kitchen area with microwave, fridge, oven and tea and coffee making facilities

The fees are $20 per term per family and an annual ACT Playgroups Association fee of $29 per family.

For more information about playgroup vacancies email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Meet some of the playgroup members

Candice Edye - The Marketing Coach

I left my job as an Account Manager in a large Public Relations firm just before I had my first child. Five years and two boys later, I knew time was running out before both my boys were at school and I would have to make the decision about going back to work. I couldn't going back to a 70-hour work week, juggling leave and school holidays and just all-around stress for the whole family. That is why I started The Marketing Coach.

The Marketing Coach provides marketing resources, coaching and support services for small businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals. I believe in learning through doing and I work with clients to not only solve their marketing issues, but to show them how it's done. Marketing coaching empowers small businesses to take control of their marketing and avoid the ongoing costs of hiring expensive consultants. All coaching is delivered either by telephone or via email at a time that suits the client.

The Marketing Coach allows me to use my experience and qualifications in psychology, marketing and management. I can also schedule my coaching sessions during nap times and at night when the kids are in bed. I have clients all around Australia and love sharing in the excitement of other mothers starting and making a success of their own businesses.

Sometimes the hours are long and working from home has its challenges, but would I change anything? No, never! I love my job!

For more information about how The Marketing Coach can help your business contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Robeccer McLean - Zhoosh

Have you ever been sitting around with a cuppa talking with the girls and out of nowhere an idea is hatched that could potentially change your life? My sister and I were simply discussing the move from fulltime work to fulltime motherhood and how a little adult interaction wouldn't go astray. That was the day we started our on-line nappy cake business and so did the late nights and early mornings. Inside of 2 years we had a decision to make, move to a warehouse and start employing staff to meet demand or sell. With two in the nest and another on the way, leaving home each morning and going to work was not why I started an at home business, making the decision to sell an easy one.

That decision gave me the much needed funds to return to my previous studies of photography and interior decoration. I invested in the best photography equipment for my needs and furthered my studies in both photography and interior design. Again the late nights and early mornings returned but this time I was driving my own business, on my own. That is how Zhoosh started.

Zhoosh means to give something "oomph". Zhoosh Property Styling has presented houses for auction (achieving record sale prices) and dressed homes for clients who just want a change but didn't want to sell. Zhoosh Creative provides a full range of photography services from weddings, parties, and corporate functions, through to products for websites, magazines and marketing materials, and extending to all manner of portraiture from pregnant mums, newborns, families, couples, grandparents and even pets.

Being on the end of a dragon wedding photographer pushed me to be different and the joy I get from seeing the beauty and innocence of children shine in my photos and helping others sell their most prized possession, this is not work, this is what life is all about. If you need a little Zhooshing visit http://www.zhoosh.com.au/

Louise Earle - Essential Additions

I became an Essential Additions Consultant by total chance! At the time I was on maternity leave from the Public Service and I was running out of time (and money) as all my paid leave was about to finish. I was literally walking through the shops and found a mini brochure on the notice board that was covered with handbags, got home checked it out on the internet and decided that I couldn't go wrong!!

I had been in the Public Service for about 7 years, and consequently my eldest child had to be in daycare whilst I worked full time. I became a qualified Payroll Officer and Government Contracting/Procurement Manager, but it just wasn't feeling right. I got really tired of the bureaucratic environment, unrealistic deadlines, office politics and micro management styles. Most importantly the time that was lost for my son and I, we'll never get back.

Nearly 2 years ago, I had our daughter and she was basically my open door to close that chapter of my life. I am now a very proud stay-at-home mum and working with Essential Additions gives me the extra money but a whole lot more. Its flexible, I work when I want to work, I am always meeting new people while catching up with friends I haven't seen in ages. My success with Essential Additions literally depends on me. I love being in this position where I am actually starting to feel in control of my destiny, and given that I am only 28, I feel very very lucky to be in the place that I am! Life is about making choices.

I'm also an aspiring artist, so making extra money with Essential Additions and being at home with my family is also a vehicle for my art work to continue and grow into an exhibition someday.

It can be challenging being with the kids almost 24/7, but it's something that I would never trade for the world as it is too rewarding for both myself and the kids.

To find out more about Essential Additions contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Nicole Lawrence - Hairdresser

I got into hairdressing after I left school. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, so my Mum suggested I try hairdressing. It's turned out to be the best decision I ever made. I can work from home and structure my appointments around the kids' activities. I get to meet lots of great people and contribute to our family income. I couldn't imagine going back to working for someone else. I have great plans for the future. My next project is to extend my work area to include a fully kitted salon onto our house.

For great styles at great prices contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Birgit Jahnke - Tupperware

Choosing to be a stay-at-home mum has been the most rewarding career choice I have ever made, however, I missed the adult conversation and that second pay packet every month.

When I was approached to become a Tupperware demonstrator, it sounded tempting because even though my kids were only small, going back to my old career was not something I wanted to do. Being a team leader of a computing help desk is not a school term, 9am until 3pm job, so I signed up to be a Tupperware demonstrator and I haven't looked back.

I now choose my own hours, I earn as much or as little as I want and Tupperware has given me the confidence to speak in front of people.

If you would like to book a demonstration or want me to send you a catalogue, please feel free to contact at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Juliette Spurrett - Parer Photography

I inherited the photography gene from the Parer family. Damien Parer (Great Uncle) is a well known WW2 war photographer and David Parer (Uncle) is a well known natural history film producer based at the ABC studios in Melbourne.

I worked with my Uncle David in the Galapagos Islands filming 3 documentaries throughout 1997 and 1998. During this time I learned and breathed photography and am now pursing my own creative venture.

I'm busy launching my business and am offering special rates so email me for more information at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Pia Waldron -  Mary Kay Cosmetics

I joined Mary Kay Cosmetics in 1991 when I had my first child, because I realised that working as an independent beauty consultant I could choose when I wanted to work, which meant I did not have to put my son in day care. Mary Kay was fantastic for me as I planned my working hours around my son and then I continued doing the same when I had my daughter. It gave me flexibility and financial freedom, a great income which allowed me to furnish our new home with all the things I wanted. I was able to enjoy and be there for my children and not miss any milestone in their young lives.

After seven years in England I have re-joined Mary Kay. I now have four children. My youngest is not at school yet so I am able to be at home with her, and be with my other children after school or during the holidays and have a career with Mary Kay Cosmetics at the same time.

The wonderful thing about Mary Kay is that it is about women helping other women. It teaches you so many things: self-esteem, confidence, time management, how to look after your skin, how to apply make up, how to dress and feel great, and then you can go on to teach others. While helping yourself you are able to help other women blossom and achieve their true potential.