Women in Business - Cath Fowler

WOMEN

IN BUSINESS

with CATH FOWLER

FROM THE DIGITAL LANEWAY

TALABANIMARIAM

Can you tell us a little bit

about your business?

I run a small, but growing, boutique accounting practice. With overwhelming local community and Government support, while I don’t have a fancy office in town, I dream of it often. But for now my home office does the job.

What’s your favourite part of the work you do?

Without a doubt it has to be the happiness on my clients’ faces and the gratitude when they hear me say the words “you have a refund due”. It’s a badge of honour to pay taxes, a small refund is better than none, and a bill means you’re a successful member of society and you should be proud of yourself.

Who is your greatest influence in business?

My daughter Chloe, she brings out the best in me. She’s my cheerleader, and at times my debt collector (she’s very good at it). My brother-in-law Naser is an amazing father figure in my life, he has always been there for me. My sister, Najiba, always had very big dreams for me, first of which was to see me graduate university. She was very proud of me that day. Most importantly my sister Zahida who is always there for me. She taught me that anyone is capable of anything if you just T L C TAXATION

try.

Have you always lived on the Coffs Coast?

I was born in Kurdistan, Iraq. In late 1989 there was a civil war in Iraq and we were refugees. We had to walk from Iraq to Iran. I can’t remember how long it took us but it’s the biggest part of my childhood memories. We were housed in Iranian refugee camps for a while. It wasn’t long before we received news that my father had passed away (he was old and fragile). Incredibly blessed and lucky to be alive, my brothers and sisters sought asylum in Australia.

We arrived in Sydney in November 1992. I was 9 years old and I grew up mostly in Western Sydney. In 2014 I moved to Coffs Harbour with my baby girl to be closer to her grandparents.

We fell in love with the beach and the sun. We absolutely love the beach, hiking and the community. Everyone is incredibly friendly and all local businesses genuinely appreciate your support. In December 2019 our dream of becoming homeowners became a reality for my little girl and I.

What piece of advice would you give women making their way in the business world?

Never be ashamed of your past or circumstance, these things do not define you. Find a product or service you believe you can turn into a viable profitable business and work hard to achieve it (come talk to me about your ideas, I will help you figure it out).

Blood, sweat and tears will ultimately be very rewarding and will help you succeed. For a long time I was too ashamed to invite people into my home. I often met clients at cafés, restaurants, their homes and even the library to prepare tax returns.

One day in 2018 a man named Rouland called and insisted on coming to my place to get help with his tax return. I was apprehensive but gave it a try. While I was attending to his tax return he said his community needed help with their tax returns. I explained that I wasn’t comfortable with clients coming to my house, and he looked around and said “What’s wrong with it? Burmese people don’t care about where you live, they only care if you are hardworking”.

Rouland brought close to 200 clients and he patiently translated for every single person who needed it. I felt compassion, respect and admiration at the time I needed it most.

Where can people find out more about your business?

tlctaxation.com.au TLCTaxation @tlctaxation

A PLACE TO Call Home

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