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 Name: Robyn
O’Connell
Business Name: Silver Celebrants
Address: P O Box 5116, Ringwood
PC: 3134
Phone: (03) 9879 7934
Mobile: 0425 726 246
Email: robyn@silvercelebrants.com.au
Web Address: www.silvercelebrants.com.au
SELF
Q. Tell us something about you – your philosophy, your
lifestyle, your ethics, your hobbies etc.
A. I love life! My goal (and dream) in life is
to make a difference in the lives of others either through my work
or life example – in fact I wrote my epitaph once and it
said: She made a difference. That is my longest
term goal – the shorter ones hopefully lead up to that. I
love to write which is part of my career but also one of my
hobbies. I write some poetry (although I would not call
myself a poet), and chat on the internet, where I met the co-author
of my second book Goldy!!
BUSINESS
DETAILS
Q. What is it that your business does?
A. I am a Celebrant and Author. I have THE best
job in the world – people allow me to be part of their lives and
their most personal and sacred times, be it weddings or
funerals. I am predominantly a Funeral Celebrant and I
celebrate life! 90% of my weddings come through referrals
either through families who I have worked with or people who have
seen me presenting. I also do public speaking, where (believe
it or not) I do presentations on grief/bereavement – and yes we do
have plenty of laughs through it! People always say to me
afterwards “I never came expecting to laugh and enjoy a topic like
that!”
Q. Do
you work from home? How many do you
employ?
A. Although I work from home, a lot of work is
performed outside of it. So I am lucky to have a
balance of working alone yet having interaction with other
people.
Q. How
long have you been in business?
A. Silver Celebrants began in 2002 and Silver
Celebrant Publications began in 2004.
Q.
What makes your business unique?
A. My business is me, therefore everything I do
reflects who I am! Every life is unique and so is every
wedding, so I am constantly renewed in my work each time I am asked
to perform a ceremony.
MARKETING
Q. What is the most important Marketing/Networking tool/strategy
your business has had success with?
A. The most successful tool I have is my booklet ‘Some
Things I Might Not Have Told You…….but you might like to
know’. This booklet is given to surviving spouses to record
their wishes for their funeral and their wishes for their
family.
AWARDS
Q. Has your business been nominated for, was a finalist in, or
won any awards or other commendations?
A. In 2007 I was honoured with a Highly
Commended Award in the MCEI Marketing Awards, I have also been a
finalist in the Maroondah Business Excellence Awards in 2005 and
2007.
ADVICE
Q. What is the most helpful piece of advice you could give to
other businesses?
A. 1. Be passionate about what you do, I am and
the consequence of that is that I don’t feel I have worked a day in
the last six years! 2. Never give up, for
the first three years all of my statistical data told me I should
walk away – but I had a dream and I wanted to live that dream –
after three years it became viable and in the last three years my
income has doubled each year – but you should never lose your
passion!
SUPPORT
Q. What is it you are looking for as a member of MCEI?
A. I enjoy the interaction with other members of
MCEI, the social aspect of it as well as the marketing
aspect. I like being motivated by other people who are
passionate about their business and don’t have the ‘I’m just
working to make ends meet’ mentality.
Q.
What is it you can offer to MCEI members?
A. Obviously in my occupation I have people who are
‘dying’ to meet me *laughs*….. seriously, as well as offering
services of celebrancy, I am also happy to do talks for any groups
that would like a guest speaker. NB I do not charge for
this service just ask for the opportunity to have my books/booklets
available for purchase.
Q. How do you
envisage demonstrating your support and loyalty to the association
of MCEI?
A. I have (and will continue to) recommended the
group to others. I have a link on my website in my links
section.
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