April 24, 2014
Rachel Perkins, JustMums Recruitment
At a Glance
Bio The path that led her to this point
I was born and bred in Adelaide and like many others, finished uni, bought a backpack and set off on a three month working holiday in Europe.
I ended up staying in London for three-and-a-half years, travelling and working in a number of jobs including 11-hour days rotating on the London Eye (Millennium Wheel). I worked as a host pointing out the landmarks of London to those riding the wheel but struggled to remember anything beyond Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.
After a taste of life in a big city a move to Melbourne felt like a natural one and I relocated accepting a job as a social worker in child protection which I had done in central London and enjoyed.
I then moved into working with the long term unemployed where I found a real interest in matching individuals to jobs and supporting them on their journey to become "job ready".
Not long after I saw an advertisement for a position recruiting social workers for the UK and while it was completely out of my comfort zone I knew it was the job for me. I applied and won the role and immediately knew that I had found my calling in recruitment.
I worked successfully in the recruitment industry for more than seven years where I recruited professionals nationally and internationally. I was inspired by my managers and colleagues, dedicated to my clients and experienced many wins including an overseas cruise for high achievers.
While on maternity leave after the birth of my second child, I found myself reassessing my priorities and exploring career options that would provide the opportunity to work from home or at least flexibly. Unfortunately there was nothing meaningful advertised and next to no support services specifically targeted to working mums.
JustMums was then born to address a pivotal service gap in the market but also to allow me to be at home with my children while they were still very young.
JustMums was always going to be a full-time career move and since launching we've been on a roller coaster ride commencing at full throttle with the kids in tow.
I work incredibly long hours and at times feel the pressure of running my own business but when you are passionate about something it often doesn't feel like work.
Q&A Insider advice & tips
What's been your greatest achievement to date?
I was nominated for the Telstra Business Women's Award in 2012 however was ineligible to formally enter as nominees are required to be in business for at least three years. To even be nominated was recognition of the hard work I had put in and what I had achieved. I was thrilled.
What's been your biggest challenge so far?
The biggest challenge has definitely been managing the business around the children who were three and 10 months' old when JustMums launched. I still find it difficult to separate work from home as they are now rolled into one. Work-life balance, particularly now as JustMums heads into a period of growth, is particularly challenging for me.
Best lesson you've learned along the way?
Always listen and trust your gut instinct as it is almost always right, surround yourself with like-minded and positive people that believe in you and that whatever the outcome of a situation, doing your best is enough.
A website, book or resource that has helped you in your business or inspired you and why?
My most loved business resource would have to be social media in particular LinkedIn and Facebook. Both are used on a daily basis to promote JustMums, update our followers and connect with our target market. A clear social media strategy has enabled us to develop a real community of mums and businesses that support our core values and mission.
Which person or brand do you most admire and why?
I admire the "every day" Mums I work with and find many of their stories truly inspiring. It might be how they have carved out a successful career whilst also being a mother, their ability to seamlessly manage work and home, achieving in the face of adversity and hearing from those who do it alone as a single mother.
What advice would you give someone starting an independent business in your industry?
The recruitment industry is a competitive one so be prepared for a lot of hard work. As a start-up agency researching the market, cold-calling, networking and building relationships to develop business is paramount. You must be comfortable with putting yourself out there and handling rejections. Most importantly though you must believe in your brand.
Finish this sentence
Everything changed for me when…
The JustMums launch story was published in both The Age and Herald Sun. From that point onward that little business idea that was created at home had now left my four walls, was officially out there for all to discover and the office phone started ringing. There was officially no turning back. Maternity leave was abruptly over and I was now the founder and director of JustMums Recruitment, the first agency of its kind in Melbourne.
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