Local business woman nominated for National AusMumpreneur Awards

CHILTERN, Australia - Aug. 3, 2014 - PRLog -- The 2014 AusMumpreneur Awards presented by The AusMumpreneur Network celebrate and recognize Mums in business achieving outstanding success in areas such as business, product development, services and innovation in businesses from Australia and New Zealand. The awards are designed to recognize the growing number of women who successfully balance motherhood and business in a way that suits their life and family.

After years of painting in the garage next to the lawnmower, attending weekend art classes, the occasional craft market and squeezing every creative moment she could into life as a mum and hospitality worker, Meaghan Louise finally said “enough!” in 2005, cut back on hours in her day job and went back to art school. When her partner was seriously injured at work only months later, she decided that life was too short to just “dabble in dreams” and became a “professional” artist. Working at first from her home studio, selling her artwork and handcrafts through auction site Ebay and her own website, she graduated to her own shop-front gallery in 2008. In 2012 Meaghan relocated DCI Arts into larger premises and has plans to grow even further.

There are many benefits to balancing business and motherhood as Meaghan Louise explains, “ Working for yourself definitely has it's challenges, but if you can get the balance right, it means you can be there for your kids and partner as well as contributing to your local community and supporting your family financially ”.

It can be challenging to be a successful business woman whilst raising a family and Meaghan gives this advice for others thinking about starting their own enterprise.”Don't be afraid to dream big, then break it down into baby steps and jump in. I opened my studio gallery in 2008 in a tiny little two room shop with my $1400 tax return for rent and insurance, a facebook page and a dozen paintings I thought were worth putting on show. If I can do it, anyone can”

Finalists will be selected by a public vote at www.ausmumpreneur.com with voting closing at midnight on Monday 6 October 2014. The winners of the 2014 AusMumpreneur Awards will be announced at a glamorous Awards dinner in Melbourne in October 2014.

You can view Meaghan's nomination interview and voting button for her business here: http://ausmumpreneur.com/meaghan-louise-httpdciarts-com/