Member Profile – Star-Jade Laverty @ Firebird Support Services
Community and background
Q:Can you tell us a bit about your journey to Wollondilly? How did you end up here and what attracted you to this community?
I moved here in 2013 two weeks before having my triplets. We needed to upsize our home for the children & Picton is a beautiful place to raise a family. It’s rural but close to Wollongong & Sydney if we needed anything more.
Q: If you were to showcase the best of the local lifestyle to visiting friends, where would you take them and why?
I’d take them to a cafe for breakfast, a pub for lunch & a restaurant for dinner. There are so many wonderful eateries here. We would walk around Thirlmere lakes, go to the strawberry farm & cedar creek orchard. If they have children, the train museum on a Thomas the Tank-engine open day!
Business and entrepreneurship
Q:Tell us about your business. How and when did you decide to start it, and what motivated you to take the plunge into entrepreneurship?
I was working for myself as a disability support worker in the community and got to 50 hours of work a week. I had to start saying no to helping people so in 2022 I launched Firebird Support Services & started recruiting a good team of Support staff to help me service the community.
Q: In your industry, what recent disruptions or transitions have had the most significant impact on your business?
The NDIS is undergoing extensive reviews & changes. It is a little scary to not know what changes will be made next but we just keep up to date and pivot where we have to. I try not to let unsubstantiated gossip or here-say worry me & only pay attention to good sources. We do our best until we know better, then we do better.
Personal life
Q:What does work-life balance look like for you? How do you manage the demands of running a business while ensuring time for family and personal life?
Initially I didn’t have balance. But now the business is in it’s third year, I’ve built up a solid team around me to help me complete different areas of my workload. My advice is seek help where you can see you need it & focus your time on what you are better suited to. Remember to switch off from work at times so you can turn your attention to other important things like family & rest.
Home and lifestyle
Q: Outside of work, what are your hobbies and passions? How do you like to spend your time when you’re not focused on business or family?
I love vegetable gardening. It’s very therapeutic to be in nature & rewarding to see my efforts turn a tiny seed into food on my family’s table.
Q: What is your taste like? Do you have a favourite item of furniture or object in your home?
I like the pinup era. I have many decorations with Marilyn Monroe and alike on them. They are classy, beautiful, strong women who I admire. I love art Deco as a style.
Productivity and time management
Q: How do you maintain boundaries between work and personal life? Any top tips?
I have a supportive partner & a best friend who both keep an eye on me. They don’t hesitate to let me know when I need to take some time out. This is valuable for me as sometimes I get so caught up I don’t have insight into how over focused I am on a situation. Surround yourself with good people who care for your wellbeing.
Q:What’s one of the best things about working with your partner on a family business?
They understand not only the business but me. I don’t have to explain my reasoning for feeling a certain way about a business topic because they already know me. Our conversations are to the point with no need for small talk. They are blunt and not just a yes man which is very important.
Q: What’s your go-to productivity hack? How do you stay organised and efficient, especially with multiple responsibilities?
I set everything I have to do up so that I can do it remotely or from my phone. I researched the best softwares to do accounting, scheduling bookings, communicating with clients & staff etc. With my medical conditions, I may be bed ridden on any day without notice. On many occasions I have run my business from under my blanket on very low days. I just always do my best at the time. If you’re only feeling 40% & you give 40% to something then you really gave 100%.
WorkLife and you
Q: What do you appreciate about the design at WorkLife?
I love how flexible the work arrangement is & how eclectic the clients are. I wouldn’t otherwise get a chance to run into some of these wonderful business people.
Q: Lastly, what’s been the most valuable aspect of being a member at WorkLife for you and your business?
The WorkLife team are so friendly & supportive. They have given me the opportunity to have a prestigious business address, stunning meeting rooms & a beautiful building when I would otherwise still just have a PO Box. It levelled up the professionalism of my small startup instantly.
