Local Business
ROAMING WITH
Local Business MEET GRATITUDE FOUNDER DEBORAH SHEPHERD.
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ounded in 2011 Gratitude™ is the world’s first co-operative movement that provides marketing tools and support for a community of professional, purpose driven businesses in order to create campaigns and activities to service the conscious consumer in an informative, centralised and engaging way. 1. TELL US ABOUT YOUR TEAM Gratitude™ is a Co-operative Movement of purposedriven entrepreneurs. Gratitude is best described as a community. The community is a combination of local ambassadors, mentors, purpose-driven business owners, charity partners, collaborators and volunteers. 2. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO YOUR INDUSTRY? Initially it was my own journey towards my own wellbeing and then becoming motivated to bring an awareness of what people could access for themselves on a daily basis while supporting the businesses that provide products and services. Business models are changing. Purpose driven businesses look to find a balance between profit, people and purpose, creating a force for positive change in the world. While a growing market of conscious consumers seek to engage with businesses who share these values, Gratitude™ aims to be the meeting place. 3.NAME THE SERVICES YOUR BUSINESS OFFERS. Services include our Embrace Life Festivals that are held across various NSW locations, our online summits,
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roamingpanthermagazine.com.au
Gratitude – The Magazine, soon to be launched online platform - The Conscious Marketplace and various marketing forums. 4.WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK? Connecting with purpose-driven business owners that want to positively make a difference in the world and, more importantly, their community 5.WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING ASPECT OF WHAT YOU DO? What started as a dream is now a reality. The people I meet along the way have become family and we are sharing a vision to bring happiness, love and gratitude into each other’s lives while building our own individual businesses. 6. ANY HIGHLIGHTS/ACHIEVEMENTS THAT YOU ARE PROUD OF? We have received several business awards acknowledging our business model and how we are effectively changing the way our industry is viewed but the biggest achievements are when a returning customer shares the impact we have had on their lives. 7. WHAT IS THE KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS? The key to our success is in our common held vision to bring an awareness and understanding to our communities on what they can do for theirs and their families' health and wellbeing, it is a model that acknowledges and supports each other while also giving the space for people to shine and it is in the way we
hold an intent to always see each day, both joys and challenges, through the eyes of gratitude. On a practical perspective, I also believe my 20 years in corporate/business has given me the skills to execute the vision, for an industry that I am passionate about and believe people are seeking. 8. ANY ADVICE TO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS? Take the time to appreciate the good times, often we can forget to honour even the smallest of achievements. When you are faced with challenging times, remember that this will pass. Often I have found after this period my business will have shifted, or even expanded to the next level. When you are faced with what can feel the darkest hours be prepared to be open, willing to listen and flexible to change but also know when the time will require you to hold strong to the vision.
NEXT FESTIVAL Embrace Life Festival - Penrith, 16 July 2017, Penrith Panthers 0457 826 648 www.gratitudeonline.com.au EmbraceLifeLiveLife
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