Home is where Laurie’s heart is ARMED only with a credit card and one investment property, entrepreneur Laurie McDonald started Canberra Furnished Accommodation while she was on maternity leave in 2003. “Initially it was to meet a nancial need and to enable me to stay at home with Connor for longer,” she says. “It was never my intention to start a large business but now that it’s evolved I’ve become passionate about business itself – I’m fascinated by how a good business keeps going and base my own philosophy on quality, excellence, passion and balance.”
Just because you’re not at home it doesn’t mean you should be without your comforts.
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Balance is the key for Laurie, who won ACT Business Woman of the Year in August – being able to work around raising her two young sons is the most important thing in her life, and something she has extended into the workplace. “When Bailey arrived in 2005 I knew it was time to expand, as I couldn’t cope with a newborn, a toddler and the business,” she says. “So we took on more properties, opened commercial premises and hired staff – all within eight weeks! It was a huge challenge but it has been amazing. “Making the ofce a family-friendly environment was a natural progression for me, since I started out for the same reasons,” says Laurie. “Kids are welcome in the ofce and we work around school hours for those that need it.”
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Canberra Furnished Accommodation Shop 10, 55 Kembla Street, Fyshwick www.canberrafurnished.com.au Phone: 6295 0975 Email: info@canberrafurnished.com.au Laurie now owns or manages 37 properties and provides fully furnished corporate and holiday accommodation for long or short stay in residential locations across Canberra. “I love matching clients to the ideal property for their needs – even if it means asking lots of questions!” she laughs. “I see it as part of the service we provide. I’m also passionate about interior design, and creating a home away from home – somewhere that’s not as impersonal as a hotel, but doesn’t feel like someone else’s house either. “Just because you’re not at home it doesn’t mean you should be without your comforts. That’s why I include things like an espresso machine and throw rugs on the sofa for those cold Canberra nights.” Laurie’s success in balancing work and home life has led to public speaking engagements about how she does it. “I talk about juggling everything in our lives and how to keep those balls in the air,” she says. “I’ve really come to enjoy the talks and getting feedback from people who have been touched by what I’ve said and want to change their lives too.” Canberra Furnished Accommodation has just implemented online bookings. “Business is constantly changing and you have to change with it or you’ll stagnate,” says Laurie.
Laurie McDonald… “Kids are welcome in the ofce and we work around school hours for those that need it.”
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18 CityNews October 15-21