Barbara Gabogrecan

Name: Barbara Gabogrecan 
Business name: Cooper the Super Dog
Address: PO Box 393 Kilsyth          
PC: 3137
Phone: 03 5625 5195            
Mobile: 0418 106 133
Fax: 03 5625 5194
Email: barbara@hbba.biz            
Web Address:www.cooperthesuperdog.com

SELF
Q. Tell us something about you – your philosophy, your lifestyle, your ethics, your hobbies etc.
A. I am a former secondary teacher of Art. I also taught at the National Gallery of Victoria for 13 years. When I came to Victoria (from NSW), one of my year 12 student in Art got 100%, won a scholarship to Italy, returned to the fashion industry and finally became assistant curator to the National Gallery in Canberra – that is why you want to be a teacher – when you can see the difference you make!

I was a bush kid – doing my primary school, and Art for my secondary schooling, by Correspondence (I was the first person to get an 'A' in Art by Correspondence). This taught me to be a self starter and self motivated – something that I tried to instill in the youth I taught. I have been married twice. I have two sons from my first marriage and two grandsons. I have 'won the lottery' with Peter, my current husband of 15 years, and have never been happier.

BUSINESS DETAILS
Q. What is it that your business does?
A. I am passionate about supplying support and information for the Micro and HBB sector – it is a ‘cause’ I have been championing for over 12 years. I have developed Home Based Business Australia (www.hbba.biz). I am a presenter and speaker, often working with Local Government to get my message to the Micro/HBB operators; I sit on Government committees to provide a voice for the sector; I develop websites to provide information for the sector; I run Awards especially designed to offer recognition and reward for the sector; I am an author (best selling book ‘How to Run a Business From the Kitchen Table') to provide information to the sector; I am an artist and an entrepreneur. My latest business involves my animals (Cooper, Cameo and Rags) - the product gives a portion to charities to support ill children and unloved pets. You can see the product on www.cooperthesuperdog.com

Q. Do you work from home?     How many do you employ?
A. Yes – I have four people volunteer their services on a regular basis.

Q. How long have you been in business? 
A. I ran a successful Art business for over ten years and winning seven of the Australian Gift of the Year Awards and exhibiting at Gift Trade Fairs made a huge success of my art business. I then began assisting the Micro/HBB sector (for 14 years) and was invited to sit on a number of Government committees, which established me an ‘expert’ re the needs of this sector.

Q. What makes your business unique?
A. Being able to combine my creative skills with my entrepreneurial ‘bent’; being able to refine my teaching skills to enable me to present and speak with passion and authority; and having a passion for assisting people, makes me and my business ‘stand out in the crowd’.

MARKETING
Q. What is the most important Marketing/Networking tool/strategy your business has had success with?
A. There are a number: Winning awards and using the win to promote and market my business; to produce a newsletter on a regular basis;ongoing media coverage; being seen at trade Fairs and Expos; having up to date and dynamic web sites; targeted networking at the VIP level as well as like minded businesses; being prepared to 'follow up', and constantly thinking in terms of marketing.

AWARDS
Q. Has your business been nominated for, was a finalist in, or won any awards or other commendations?
A. I won seven of the Gift of the Year Awards.

ADVICE
Q. What is the most helpful piece of advice you could give to other businesses?
A. To be opportunistic – never say ‘no’ and then be prepared to take action.

SUPPORT
Q. What is it you are looking for as a member of MCEI?
A. An International network and access to people of a ‘like mind’ who are caring and prepared to create alliances. 

Q. What is it you can offer to MCEI members?
A. A huge mass of skills, commitment, energy and enthusiasm.

Q. How do you envisage demonstrating your support and loyalty to the association of MCEI?
A. By being President; constantly thinking of ways to assist members; and putting in more than what would be expected – I guess I will only be able to keep up this high energy workload if members let me know that what I am doing is of benefit to them.

MILESTONES

Please give any important milestone (up to 50 words) that you have reached in the past 12 months. You may add to this section any time during your current membership.

October 2007: Having instigated and ran the MCEI Marketing Awards was a huge effort and resulted in an excellent entry for the Inaugural Awards.

October 2008: Instigating a written report for all entrants of the Marketing Awards with the overall winner winning a trip for two to Italy.