Featured Mumpreneur: Melissa Haggerty of Fab Fit Pantyhose

Are you fed up with uncomfy tights? Over shapewear pantyhose that squeezes you so tight you can barely breathe? Or irritated by tights that dig into your waist leaving you with a bulging muffin top? 


You’re not the only one! But now there is a solution! 


Melissa Haggerty is the creator of Fab Fit Pantyhose. She spent years searching for tights that would look stylish and feel comfortable all day long. Every product she tried let her down so she decided to design her own! She wanted pantyhose that were extra long in the body with a soft but firm elastic top to make sure they stay in place and don’t roll down when you walk or sit. They had to be completely opaque to look and feel sexy so she made them 100 denier. The main thing is she wanted a smooth, flattering silhouette under a fitted dress but without having to squeeze into shapewear. 


Fab Fit Pantyhose are the answer. They are unlike anything else on the market because they give that smooth line we all want but without feeling like we’ve got a boa constrictor wrapped around us! Let’s face it, we don’t need to try to squash our bodies into uncomfortable “shapewear” that makes us feel unsexy and uncomfortable. We want a smooth look and to feel comfortable. 


 Melissa has a Marketing background but had never designed or manufactured her own product before. She had to specify her design, have a pattern created, find and brief a reliable Australian manufacturer and then ensure the final product met her high standard of design and quality. She then had to work out what to call her product and develop costeffective but attractive packaging and distribution of her Fab Fit Pantyhose. 


Melissa took her idea from concept to reality in less than a year...while working full-time! She said “I had a few different product ideas and I knew I wanted to create my own business but I didn’t quite know how to get started. I met with a business coach who helped me figure out what I needed to do and then I did it. I didn’t want to give up my job because I still had to pay the bills plus I needed to prove that my idea would work.” 


I’m now working on expanding the range to include footless tights and different colour options. It’s great working on my own business idea instead of just working on great ideas for my clients! My goal is to continue to grow the business and to become the number one high waisted pantyhose and tights brand in Australia. Fab Fit Pantyhose launched on Channel Ten’s The Circle and had a great response. The hosts even tried them and loved them! 


You can now buy Fab Fit Pantyhose online from the website www.fabfitpantyhose.com.au They come in packs of two so you’ve always got one to wear while the other is in the wash! Melissa is offering members of Connect2Mums a special promotion price of $29.95 for two pairs - that’s $10 off the normal price. On checkout, use the promotion code 'Connect2Mums'

Website: www.fabfitpantyhose.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FabFitTights
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Fab Fit Pantyhose

www.fabfitpantyhose.com.au

Are you fed up with uncomfy tights? Over shapewear pantyhose that squeezes you so tight you can barely breathe? Or irritated by tights that dig into your waist leaving you with a bulging muffin top? 


Fab Fit Pantyhose are leading a pantyhose revolution. Fab Fit Pantyhose provide: 
1. Ultimate Comfort - The extra long body with its soft elastic top reaches to just under your bust and stays there. 
2. Fabulous Fit - Our tights create a smooth, flattering line under clothes without giving you the squeeze. They come in size average, tall and extra tall so they'll fit you perfectly 
3. Ultra Flattering Style - Fab Fit Pantyhose are completely opaque 100 denier, guaranteed to make you look and feel sexier Try them for yourself.
Visit www.fabfitpantyhose.com.au  


Find us at Facebook: www.facebook.com/FabFitTights

Friday Feature Mumpreneur: Gail Vandermerwe

After completing an Interior Design Diploma in 2003 in Cape Town South Africa, a further desire to explore my creative interest led me to the design and preparation of costume jewellery.    This part time interest quickly grew into a small business venture, which was launched after acquiring a substantial commissioned order in 2005. 

My jewellery designs are classic and timeless pieces, which are individually and carefully hand strung by myself.

From custom made designs, remodelling of old or outdated pieces of jewellery, to the intricate precision of pearl knotting and stringing using excellent quality components, cultured pearls, semi precious stones as well as high quality fashion beads. Designs and crafting of the jewellery has no boundaries and can be prepared to meet your specific needs and desires.

Fashion trends are forever evolving, however the need for classic, timeless pieces of jewellery whether they are investment pieces or good quality costumes pieces are here to stay!

That’s where I come in, offering a service to repair, restring or remodel, adding further life & zing to your string of pearls, beaded necklace, or repair your earrings!  No need to discard those favourite pieces that can be restored and revitalised!  

www.gailvandermerwe.com

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Gail Vandermerwe Jewellery

www.gailvandermerwe.com

After completing an Interior Design Diploma in 2003 in Cape Town South Africa, a further desire to explore my creative interest led me to the design and preparation of costume jewellery.    This part time interest quickly grew into a small business venture, which was launched after acquiring a substantial commissioned order in 2005. 

My jewellery designs are classic and timeless pieces, which are individually and carefully hand strung by myself.

From custom made designs, remodelling of old or outdated pieces of jewellery, to the intricate precision of pearl knotting and stringing using excellent quality components, cultured pearls, semi precious stones as well as high quality fashion beads. Designs and crafting of the jewellery has no boundaries and can be prepared to meet your specific needs and desires.

Fashion trends are forever evolving, however the need for classic, timeless pieces of jewellery whether they are investment pieces or good quality costumes pieces are here to stay!

That’s where I come in, offering a service to repair, restring or remodel, adding further life & zing to your string of pearls, beaded necklace, or repair your earrings!  No need to discard those favourite pieces that can be restored and revitalised!  

www.gailvandermerwe.com

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2011 CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Mercure Sydney
26 & 27 August 2011

2 Day Mumpreneurs Conference
A Weekend of Business Workshops, Networking, Guest Speakers, Friendship & Fun!

Specifically designed to help Mums in business reach their full potential. The Mumpreneurs Conference includes 2 days of workshops with leading business experts in the areas of Marketing, Branding, Business Planning, Finance, Search Engine Optimisation, Setting Goals, Work life Balance and much more to get you the skills you need to move your business to the next level in 2011.

The Mumpreneurs Conference also includes inspirational Mumpreneurs sharing their success stories, the Mumpreneurs Showcase Mini Expo an exclusive Friday night speed networking function and the glamourous AusMumpreneur Awards recognising Australia’s leading Mumpreneurs.


If you do anything for your business this year you must attend this fantastic event!

2011 Conference Program

Friday 26 August 2011
8.30am Registration
9.00am Welcome Connect2mums editors Peace Mitchell & Katy Garner
9.15am “Get Wired for Business Success” - Susan Pearse Mind Gardener
This session will provide you with an insight into the mindsets that will help you create a business that achieves success and significance and stands the test of time. It will also explore the common traps that mumpreneurs fall into that limit their business and personal potential. You will leave this session with an understanding of how to build a great business brain!
10.30am Morning Tea
11.00am “Pricing For Profitability” - Julia Bickerstaff - Business Bakery
Julia Bickerstaff’s expertise is the art and science of designing profitable small businesses. She is the founder of The Business Bakery and Butterfly Coaching, the author of How to Bake a Business, the finance expert on Channel 7’s Kochies Business Builders and the writer of Smartcompany’s profitable growth column. Julia will teach us pricing for profit.
12.15pm LUNCH
1.15pm AMN Experts Breakout Sessions - Choose the Conference thats right for you!
Room 1
“5 keys to building a successful business” Simone Outteridge Outteredge Coaching
Simone will teach you how to get more time, make more money & have the business you dreamed of.
2.30PM “How to use your brand message to attract customers, market your biz, and sell your products” Karen Gunton Bulid A Little Biz
In this workshop Karen, the author of the workbook ‘build a brand’, will show you how to create a strong brand message and ensure that message is consistent across all aspects of your biz: your ‘right’ customers, marketing strategies, sales methods, products & prices.
Room 2
“The world is your coffice” - Alycia Edgar Bookzkeeper
Implement systems in your business to operate from anywhere!
2.30PM “The Missing Pieces of the Mumpreneur Puzzle” Helen Butler
This Workshop looks at the three missing pieces of the Mumpreneur puzzle and how using organising skills can make the puzzle whole, create balance and bring clarity, giving you the successful business and happy family you deserve. If you want to know how to move from chaos to clarity this is the Workshop for you!
3.45pm Afternoon Tea
4.15pm
Room 1
“Be Your Own PR Agent”. - Johanna Baker-Dowdell Strawberry Communications
“Nobody knows your business or is more passionate about it than you. This enthusiasm can be harnessed to create publicity for your business. This session shows you how to create a strategy and gives suggestions on how you can generate your own PR.”
Room 2
“How NOT to get your social marketing effort horribly wrong” Nick Bowditch The Bowditch Group
With great honesty, candidness and humour, Nick will show you the pitfalls, mistakes and plain old ‘stuff ups’ that small and medium sized business owners have made in the social space, and how you can learn from those mistakes to become a social marketing success story.
5.30pm Finish
Friday Night 7.30pm
C2m Networking Drinks and Mumpreneurs Mini expo


Saturday 27 August 2011
9.00am Welcome
9.15am AMN Experts Breakout Sessions - Choose the Conference thats right for you!
Room 1
Manufacturing Monique Filer B.Box
Monique will share the experiences and lessons learned in creating the award winning b.box range, including sourcing a factory, negotiating terms, pitfalls and tips, project management, understanding “manufacturing speak”, protecting your IP and international testing
Room 2
“Secrets to Standing out - Building Your Platform” Peace Michell Connect2mums
Peace will share tips, advice and strategies in this interactive session on how to make you and your business stand out from the crowd by creating a successful personal platform.
10.30am Morning Tea
11.00am Paula Kuhnemann’e-Commerce Harmony’, finding the elusive balance between family and work.
4 strategies to create harmony within...your self, your family, your career, your business.
Having worked with dynamic, driven and successful WAHM’s for over 15 years, Paula Kuhnemann of ‘Smart Woman’ has found that they each have a common No. 1 concern. Not ‘how can I make more money, but how can I spend more quality time with my loved ones AND build/run a successful business?’
Draw on the experience of Paula Kuhnemann, who has worked as a WAHM party planner, from behind a corporate desk and now works from behind her laptop as a small business mentor with ‘Smart Woman’, to discover the 4 main strategies she has successfully used and taught that will start you on the fulfillingjourney of harmony within.....your self, your family, your career, your business.
12.15pm Lunch
1.00pm "How To Get The Media To Notice You" - Rebecca Derrington SourceBottle
SourceBottle founder Rebecca Derrington has a simple vision: for every journalist using the service to be INUNDATED with quality sources; and for every SourceBottle subscriber to get FAMOUS using it! Rebecca will show you how to uncover and hook media opportunities, as well as share her tips for getting your business front and centre!
2.15pm “Getting Social in Small Business” Lara Solomon
This hands on workshop run by Lara Solomon aka Chief Rabbit at Social Rabbit will get your business rocking with social media.
- social media strategy – which one should you choose and why with tips and hints on what to use. If you are already using social media you can use this to find out how to improve what you have in place.
- content – the importance of having quality content, how to have good content and resources to use to help with this.
- Time saving tips for social media
- Any questions – bring them along!
3.30 pm Afternoon Tea
4.00pm Mumpreneur Panel - Bring your questions and get advice from our panel of “Women Who Have Made It!”
5.00pm Finish

Saturday 7.30pm
2011 Bio-Oil AusMumpreneur Awards Gala Dinner
Who will be this year’s AusMumpreneur? The Bio-Oil AusMumpreneur Awards recognise the best and brightest in the Mumpreneur industry, and celebrates business mums achieving success in business, product development, innovation and amazing service in business. Ticket Includes 2 Course Meal, Pre Dinner Canapés and 3 hour Drinks Package

Download full program here

CONFERENCE FULL PACKAGE: Mumpreneurs Conference & AusMumpreneur Awards
You receive: - Friday night networking event and Mini Expo
-2 day Mumpreneurs National Conference
workshops, guest speakers, business building ideas, networking, motivation, inspiration, prize giveaways
-morning tea (Friday & Saturday)
-lunch (Friday & Saturday)
-afternoon tea (Friday & Saturday)
- AusMumpreneur Awards 2011 Dinner Ticket
2 Course Meal, Canapés and 3 hour Drinks Package

PACKAGE PRICE pp $495.00 (inc gst) 



FRIDAY PACKAGE Friday Night Networking, Friday Conference Session & Mumpreneurs Mini Expo
Friday Package Includes You receive:
- Friday night networking event and Mini Mumpreneurs Expo
- Friday Mumpreneurs National Conference
workshops, guest speakers, business building ideas, networking, motivation, inspiration, prize giveaways
-morning tea (Friday)
-lunch (Friday)
-afternoon tea (Friday)

FRIDAY PACKAGE PRICE $198.00 (inc gst)



SATURDAY PACKAGE: Saturday Conference & AusMumpreneur Awards Package
Saturday Conference & Awards Dinner Package
You receive:
- Saturday Mumpreneurs National Conference Ticket
workshops, guest speakers, business building ideas, networking, motivation, inspiration, prize giveaways
-morning tea (Saturday)
-lunch (Saturday)
-afternoon tea (Saturday)
- AusMumpreneur Awards 2011 Dinner Ticket
2 Course Meal, Canapés and 3 hour Drinks Package

SATURDAY PACKAGE PRICE pp $295.00 (inc gst)


AUSMUMPRENEUR AWARDS GALA DINNER
the AusMumpreneur awards recognise the best and brightest in the Mumpreneur industry, Professional and Innovative Business Mums achieving success in business, product development, innovation and amazing service in both online and bricks and mortar businesses.

Ticket Includes 2 Course Meal, Pre Dinner Canapés and 3 hour Drinks Package

AWARDS DINNER PRICE pp $120.00 (inc gst)



FRIDAY NIGHT NETWORKING & MUMS IN BUSINESS PRODUCT SHOWCASE MINI EXPO
Business Displays, Bubbles, Canapés and Networking.

Friday Night PRICE pp $55.00 (inc gst)


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