As a biochemist, Charlotte’s comfort zone developed early on from her days tucked away in the lab developing high quality products at the University of Copenhagen. Now as an Adelaide Hills business owner, she must get comfortable being uncomfortable. It is a challenge the Cultivate Hills program has prepared her for.
“It was not just the program, but the other participants. I do not know what it was about this group, but I felt instantly supported. We all listened to each other, and we all trusted each other.
“It was an intensive program, perhaps I knew some of it already, but it helped me align what I did know with the latest information from the program.
“I have made a lot of changes in my business because I what I learned in the Cultivate Hills program. This was a degree program, so it was a different way of learning to what I was used to in my academic training. But it helped me understand the numbers and the balance sheet.
“In setting up the business, I did not realise how important it was to consider trade marks and business law so early on. There have been decisions that I’ve now made that I would never have even considered if it wasn’t for this program.
“I was fortunate to have the support of multiple mentors depending on what I was working through at the time. My primary mentor was great in helping me think deeper about what I wanted to include in my business plan, helped me be clear. What was I trying to do? I wanted to get people to buy my products.
“It was great to receive so much feedback on my website, I cornered one of the mentors at the graduation event and they were still happy to give me advice and suggestions.
“I have many next steps to take since graduating. So many of them scare me but I am going to do them anyway. I want to feel ok being uncomfortable.
“My plan is to establish connections with those working with pregnant mothers and to approach stockists about my products.
“Cultivate Hills has been such a positive experience for me. I’m going to share my story now.”
