Stairway 2 Dreams founder Sandra Bartlett is passionate in assisting business owners in identifying how they can improve their life work balance. Sandra takes the test in this edition of the South West Voice Business Q&A.
• Tell us about you and your business?
I am a passionate business woman focused on being the best version of myself that I can be. I am committed to my own self development and learning and when I am not following this passion I am riding the highways on my Yamaha 950 XVS motorcycle, it’s red so it goes fast.
My business is Stairway 2 Dreams established in November 2013. It is a coaching practice that assists people in learning how their thoughts, beliefs, actions and attitudes affect their results in all aspects of their life.
If you are disconnected from your purpose in life you can suffer from self doubt, lack of confidence, anxiety and this is when you start self sabotaging. Yes, a vicious circle. With trusted coaching methods I help you reconnect to your purpose in life and live it to the best of your ability in every moment.
• What are the three lessons in business you have learnt?
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]1 “Believe in yourself “- If you don’t believe in yourself how can we ask others to believe in us.[/social_quote]
2 “Say yes and then work out the how”- grab every opportunity that comes your way to raise your business profile and brand.
3 Help others identify and reach their dreams and yours will be taken care of – when I help my clients find their way through the fog my dream has more clarity.
• Give us a few of your crowning achievements. The kinds of things that you can look back at and gauge how well you have done?
1 My greatest achievement has been raising my family and now as I sit back and reap the rewards of being a grandmother I am often heard saying – “Been there done that and I have the T-shirt to prove it”.
2 Learning to ride a motorbike. I stepped way out of my comfort zone at 39 and obtained my motor bike licence and road a Yamaha 750 Virago. I have travelled the Great Ocean Road in both directions, toured Tasmania, road the Buckets Way and Thunderbolts Way and I am often seen on charity rides and weekend rides with my husband.
3 I spent 23 years in the retail banking area and through focus, dedication and determination I worked my way through the hierarchy from a part time teller into a senior manager’s role. This role saw me managing a frontline retail team of 25 people. And I did this whilst raising my family.
4 Backing myself and following my dream to help others when I opened my business in 2013. I have built and maintained team culture for the last 10 years. I followed my passion to do more with my skills and this bought me to the coaching arena. The more I learn about my passion and perfect my craft the more opportunities that are presenting.
• Who is your business hero – living or dead?
Louise Hay – Founder of Hay House and a well published motivational author, closely followed by Anthony Robbins
• What is your favourite business book?
Michael Gerber – The E Myth and Anthony Robbins – Awaken the Giant Within.
• What do you listen to while you work?
If I am creating then it is mediation music. If it is administration then it is a mixture of modern day music and the classics of the 80’s and 90’s.
• Favourite quote?
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Be the change you want to see in the world” – Mahatma Gandhi.[/social_quote]
• What everyday thing are you better at than everyone else? What’s your secret?
I am dedicated to my personal fitness, hitting the gym door prior to 6am, five days out of seven. My secret, if I give to myself I have so much more to give to others, this is the driver.
• What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
To show my vulnerability is to demonstrate my strength. Never fear asking for help.
Fill in the blank: I’d love to see and experience… Paris and the Maldives
• Current mobile device? Iphone, Ipad and MacBook Pro
• Current computer? Mac Desktop
• What apps/software/tools can’t you live without?
I want to say my hair dryer and hair straightener however I would be lost without my technology. Apps like Skype and FaceTime give me the ability to stay in touch with my son who is in the Navy when he travels and when he is at home in Perth. They also allow me to be with my grandchildren in Brisbane every day.
• What’s your best time-saving shortcut/life hack?
Why leave what I can do today until tomorrow. I deal with what I can change as a priority, if I can’t change it then I let it go. I don’t sweat the small stuff, life is too short.
• Besides your phone and computer, what gadget/app can’t you live without and why?
Google Maps – I haven’t worked out the GPS in my car.
Just love this photo