Hi I thought I would give you the ‘official’ version of who Maggie is but then I decided to move that down the page and tell you where I am today. As I write this blog I am 73 , I have three wonderful children ,seven grandchildren and two great-grand daughters and I am extremely proud of every one of them. I am looking forward to the birth of my next great grandchild this coming January (2015) It is said that the true test of parenthood is how your grandchildren turn out – so it would seem I didn’t do too badly.
I have a partner Fred and we share interests of Karaoke, films, shows, going anywhere. That is not enough for me as I also need conversation with like-minded people. Up until now I have been involved in the business community so I had people to talk to about my interest in business, but as with most things in my life I have – new directions and I completely lose interest in things I have been passionate about for many years. I was not looking forward to retirement but I am now building an interest based on creativity – writing, singing and ??? maybe photography (who knows) .
I was to be involved in my previous business but the conditions did not suit me so I am now totally out of the ‘business’ game and focusing on other interests.
I am a Kiwi born Australian with a love for the written word. My poems and stories have been published in newspapers and anthologies. One of my short stories was published by the Australian Womens’ Weekly) To my credit I also wrote and publishing two books, ‘Starting a Business in Australia‘ (currently in second edition) and ‘Starting and Surviving in Business in Australia’ (New Holland- currently out of print)
Although, as a child the goal was to be a full time writer, I have not fully realised that goal. My life has been filled with managing my various businesses, creating videos for my website and singing at Karaoke. Throughout my life I have developed a love for the written word and have been involved in diverse writing applications. e.g. poetry, short stories, articles for newspapers, column for newspapers, reports for govt. departments, text book (2 published) and blogs. I now have a box that is gathering dust that I want to get out and air so I came here. My poems and stories were written for me but I have decided to share them with you. Please enjoy. You will note that I don’t give explanations – you read into them whatever you like. I am currently writing a biography for a wonderful friend who has had a most interesting life and then maybe I will write my life story. Who knows!
I hope you enjoy my blog. Please feel free to comment.
Maggie
Here is the official version.
Maggie was the Founder and Director of the Australian Small Business Centre Pty Ltd. Throughout her lifetime she has been involved in various business ventures in family situations, partnership and on her own. The businesses she has had direct involvement in range from catering/ delicatessen, gift shop, organic farm, children’s wear, market stalls selling various items from bread to trailer lights.
Since 1996 she has been involved in a teaching and administrative role in the Federal Government sponsored NEIS program and through that has helped over 1,000 people get started in their own business. These businesses have covered a vast variety of areas including manufacturing, clowning, artistic endeavours, fast food businesses, translation services and many more. She was a part time TAFE teacher from 1999 to 2005 when the Australian Small Business Centre needed more of her time. Her subjects at TAFE were business planning, resource management, financial planning, communication skills, marketing and promotion of business, record keeping and tax law.
She started her own consultancy in 1999 providing personal and business mentoring services under the name of Guardian Angels Consultants. In 2000 after the release of ‘Starting a Business in Australia’ the business was renamed The Australian Small Business Centre Pty Ltd as it more realistically reflected the activities and services provided by the business.
The second Edition of ‘Starting a Business in Australia’ was released in January 2004’. This book focuses on business start up, getting a business back to basics and business planning. It is no longer available..
January 2006 Maggie’s most recent book was released. ‘Starting and Surviving, in Business in Australia’ was published by New Holland Publishers and is available here as well as in all good book shops. This book looks at the issues a potential business person needs to look at prior to or soon after starting a business.
Maggie has also been interviewed on Qantas radio for the inflight Business Show Dennis Rutzos on drive time radio and on the David Koch Sky TV show Money Matters. She is available as a guest speaker. (Listen to interviews on Dennis Routzou Breakfast Show http://www.drpr.com.au/bb/past07.html May 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th 2007)
On a personal note her interests include singing, writing, internet, movies and spending time with her family and friends.
If you wish to connect on social media you will find her on Facebook Maggie says ‘ No I don’t twitter. The day I saw a whole group of people in the same room ‘twittering’ comments to other people in the same room I thought of the lunacy of the situation and vowed never to go there’.
She has a particular interest in all things ‘green’ and was the moving force for the Business Centre to become part of the 10 Thousand Trees program. She lived in the country (Coonabarabran) from 1980 to 1991 and used solar power and gas for the homestead.
Enjoy yourself
Maggie Richardson