What’s your backstory and how did you come up with the idea?
My Home Watch was founded when my family and I decided to go on a holiday, we didn’t have family close by to take care of our home and pets (fish) and didn’t want a house sitter. That’s when My Home Watch was born, a service for your home and pets, with services like home checks, watering, gardening, cleaning, mail collection, pet feeds, all the things that you need for when you’re away or can’t be at your property. 8ADAY Hydration is my most recent business, I’ve launched a drink bottle range, I’ve suffered with dehydration and not drinking enough water for most of my life. Having tried so many products, like water apps, time marked bottles and even lining up glasses of water, I decided to make my own drink bottle following the 8 x 8 daily hydration recommendations.
Describe the process of launching the business.
My Home Watch service was initially completed by myself, I was then featured on TV and the business took off, very quickly in all states. No being able to service it all myself, I decided to give others the opportunity to start their own business under the My Home Watch Brand. We are now an international brand / company. 8ADAY Hydration, is a new business, I designed the product, found a manufacturer and it’s about to be available on Kickstarter. I decided on a Kickstarter campaign for this business, to help validate the product idea and business concept.
Since launch, what has worked to attract and retain customers?
Since launching My Home Watch 95% of our customers are returning customers. Word of mouth is huge for us. Social media, PR and positioning our company as a trusted service has been a big source of our success.
How are you doing today and what does the future look like?
My Home Watch has seen the effects of COVID19 with travel restrictions, however I have strong belief that once our boarders open again, our services and business uptake will bounce back strong than ever! Starting 8ADAY Hydration was a project that initially was to solve my lifestyle problem of not drinking enough water, after developing the bottles and seeing the benefits, of finally drinking enough, product testing and having others try the product for themselves I knew I had product that could make a difference in peoples lives. I see a very big and bright future for 8ADAY Hydration Bottles.
Through starting the business, have you learned anything particularly helpful or advantageous?
I have learnt so much, make sure you plan, do the numbers / financials, make sure you educate yourself, with marketing, pr, operations everything you can. Education is key!!
What platform/tools do you use for your business?
Canva for design, all Socials Media, Word Press for websites, mail chimp, Teams, Op Central for franchising, Shopify.
What have been the most influential books, podcasts, or other resources?
Foundr is really great, their courses, and reading material. I listen to Mark Boris and have for years, he’s a great motivation and business coach, I like his no hold back approach.
Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?
Learn as much as you can, by doing it hands on. Run towards life, live fearlessly and just go for it! Solving a problem defiantly helps validate your idea.
Where can we go to learn more?
www.myhomewatch.com.au www.myhomewatchgroup.com www.8adayhydration.com @8adayhydration
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