Empower Aged Care Consulting

Name: Nicole Dunn
Position: Director
Website: www.empoweragedcare.com.au
Location: Melbourne, Vic, Australia

Nicole helps older people to remain at home for longer by arranging the home care and health supports they need.

She eliminates the stress and confusion of the aged care system by providing expert advice and completing all referrals for assistance on a clients behalf.

What products/services do you offer?

  • Home visiting aged care consultations
  • Case management
  • Completion of all my aged care and other referrals.

Why did you start your business and how long have you been running it?

I am a health professional with 15 years experience in the public health sector as a physiotherapist and care coordinator. 4 years ago I became a live in carer for my Nanna after she was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. As a carer I realised how difficult it was to arrange the necessary home based services and health supports, even with my health care background.

It was frustrating experience and a difficult time and not something I wanted other families and older people to go through. I thought there must be a way to outsource arranging home care so families can spend more time with their loved one which was how ‘Empower Aged Care Consulting’ came to life.

What struggles do you think most businesses face in your industry and what would you say they need to do to overcome them?

Being a trusted aged care provider particularly in light of the aged care royal commission.

The way to over come it is to be a qualified professional that delivers a reputable service and genuinely puts their client first.

What has been your greatest accomplishment?

Testifying as a carer at the Aged Care Royal Commission in March 2019 to advocate for better supports for families and carers of older people.

What has been your biggest ‘fail’ so far?

Doubting that I could be a businesswoman as I don’t have a formal business background. I wish I started my business 5 years earlier.

What do you love most about your business?

Seeing a business idea flourish into a service that can really make a difference to people.

What do you find most challenging?

Spreading yourself thin because you are trying to do it all!

How do you promote your business (please include as many details as you can)?

  • Meetings with related aged care professionals eg: aged care financial advisors, lawyers, GP’s.
  • Website
  • Networking events
  • Brochures / business cards
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Publishing relevant articles
  • Podcast ‘Keeping mum’

What business skills do you have (eg. graphic design, customer service)?

  • Basic website skills
  • Basic graphic design
  • Social media
  • Writing industry articles

What software did you/your designer use to create your website (eg. WordPress, Wix)?

WordPress (re-developed with Wix)

What are some of your favourite business tools and apps?

Canva

Google my business

Linkedin

Hootsuite

Add watermark

Wave accounting

What do you like about your website and what’s not working for you?

I have just had my website re-developed to include:

  • Case studies
  • Links to my articles and podcast
  • Subscribe option
  • More user friendly and clear in content.

I am now completely happy with it, however these were the elements previously lacking.

What lessons have you learnt during your time as an entrepreneur?

You don’t need to have a business background to be a business woman!

What key tips for success in business would you like to share with others?

  • Trust yourself
  • Surround yourself with like-minded business people
  • Stick to what your good at and outsource what your not.
  • Create a business that has meaning.

What is the one thing that you want everyone to take away from this post?

Make your passion your business.

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