The Business Edit is creating positive change for women in business

Can The Business Edit help you take your business to the next level, as it has dozens of Illawarra companies over the past four years? You can always ask the question.

There’s a good chance the answer will be ‘Yes’, but not always. Bulli businesswoman Chelsea Crean says she has found her calling in helping a particular cohort – time-poor business owners, mostly women in service industries.

“I do work with men, but it’s mostly mums; they’re trying to do it all, be a present mum and a successful business owner,” she says.

“They’re people who use their skillsets and start businesses they are passionate about – as coaches, psychologists, architects, photographers et cetera – and they’re good at what they do but they’re not necessarily comfortable or confident with social media, marketing, online and creative and they don’t know where to start or have the time.

“We do what we love so they can do what they love.”

Chelsea’s uncanny ability to service this niche market might have something to do with her own relatable story.

She worked her way up in the corporate from account manager to sales, marketing and, finally, business development.

The commute to Sydney to work long hours in a male-dominated environment weighed heavily at the best of times, but after having her first child, Chelsea faced a dilemma all too familiar to many women as they re-assimilate into the workplace following matrescence.

“I just couldn’t seem to find my place back in that company after maternity leave and I realised my time wasn’t my own anymore,” she says.

“I was taking time away from my little boy to do things I didn’t love. I was respected but there were definitely some things asked of me that I didn’t feel comfortable with.

“It was a bit scary, but after a chat with my husband, I quit.”

Chelsea, whose first foray into the workforce was as a cook in a country pub at age 13, was no stranger to pivoting. She’d worked in hospitality in several environments, including her mother’s restaurant, and even did a snow season in Thredbo.

“I had never stopped and thought about what I wanted to do,” she says.

But that changed unexpectedly when she took a job managing a beauty salon close to home.

It was 2019 and businesses were starting to appreciate the role social media could play in promotion. In addition to reception and administrative duties, it felt natural for Chelsea to take on the salon’s social media and marketing.

“I ended up doing all her marketing – socials, flyers, newsletters, fixing her website. It was an all-encompassing role,” Chelsea says.

“But unlike my previous corporate role, this felt so good – seeing the tangible impact my work was having on this small business run by someone like me.

“One day a friend, who also owned her own business, said, ‘I need someone to do what you’re doing for my business, but only one day a week’ … it sparked a little idea.”

Starting small with a bit of work on the side here and there for a handful of clients, before long word-of-mouth referrals saw her handing in her resignation at the salon to start a consultation business.

The Little Hello launched at the height of COVID, and within months of businesses feverishly pivoting to raise their online profiles, Chelsea was booked out and hiring help. Eventually, the business outgrew its name.

“As the dust settled, I realised my cute business name wasn’t reflecting the service we provided,” Chelsea says.

In July last year, The Little Hello became The Business Edit, with a mission to support businesses big and small in their creative and professional goals.

Now with three employees supporting dozens of regular and ad hoc clients, Chelsea feels a world away from those uncertain days in her corporate role.

“I think I understand my boundaries now. At the start of The Business Edit, I was saying yes to everyone. Now I’ve niched down and understand who I can help,” she says.

“Women in service-based businesses are the sweet spot, they’re where I can give the most value.”

The Business Edit provides a holistic approach to business support with several different services including marketing strategy, content creation, web design and graphic art.

“I think it’s powerful for clients to be able to come to one place for all those needs and ensure their messaging remains consistent through multiple touch points with their audience,” Chelsea says.

This year, The Business Edit won Best Home-Based Business at the Illawarra Women in Business Awards for its work in supporting more than 150 women in business. Chelsea’s mission is to reach 500 by 2030.

It’s a measured and reflective goal that highlights her dedication to doing the right amount, doing it well, and doing it calmly.

“My clients tell me I have a calming effect on them, and I value that,” she says.

“I think it helps them to have the confidence to execute their vision, knowing that someone is supporting them in business.”