“When you are happy to serve
and your guest is happy to receive,
you have created genuine hospitality”
A lot of small business women that I speak to, talk about their passions and talents but also, that they need to create something for themselves, to make themselves feel enriched and challenged. Today’s feature talks about the opposite and how she is motivated by providing a service for others.
Our focus for today is what it means to be a ‘people person’ in business. And by that I don’t just mean someone who is loud, chatty or the quintessential ‘life of the party’. I mean someone who is genuinely motivated and energised by making their customers happy.
Welcome to The Bigger Picture; a blog that is all about building NETWORK and CONNECTION. Each month, I feature a woman in small business within my community with the sole purpose of showing support, building solidarity and sharing stories of passion.
I am so fortunate to be surrounded by incredible small businesses in the South West run by women in their spare rooms or out in their gardens and they each have a unique story to be told; a BIGGER PICTURE to be discovered.
“People do business with people they like”. Have you heard that saying? Building lasting relationships, having the ability to connect with a diverse population, being transparent and honest, valuing and empowering your employees, these are all such important skills to have as a small business owner that is ‘people oriented’. We all know that people don’t just buy a product or service; they buy you. So being a ‘people person’ means that you make your clients feel valued, safe and seen when they walk through your door.
I am thrilled to introduce you to our feature for November because she is a very well known face in the Port Fairy community. Whether you get your morning coffee from her laneway window, or drop in for a sweet treat on a hot Summer’s day, or even if you work with her in her yoga studio, you will have benefited from her hospitality and positive outlook on life. Please say hello to local mum, cafe owner and yoga teacher…….
Donella Mulraney
Pelicans
Tell us about your business and what services you offer.
Pelicans is a small business in the coastal town of Port Fairy in Victoria and we offer such a great range of products & services including locally custom roasted coffee, Timboon fine ice cream, home-made cakes, biscuits slices and toasties, specialty chocolate and sweet treats like fudge & truffles. We pride ourselves on supporting other local artisans and small businesses by selling a range of home made beanies, moisturisers, artworks and beeswax balms which are all made from a variety of very talented people in our community and surrounds.
We also stock a range of health products, including "True Protein” the all natural supplement range of bars, shakes, protein powders and other health supplements, "Evolutional Botanicals” blends of functional mushrooms, tonic herbs and superfoods to support energy, immunity, focus, strength, gut health and wellness, “PURE Sports Nutrition” energy gels & electrolyte hydration designed for those leading an active lifestyle, and “Hugs & Toke” dog treats for all our furry visitors.
We offer friendly service to our customers where they can choose to either dine-in or take away with the option to order from our outside laneway window. We also have a back sitting room that a lot of local groups and business people use for a variety of things; meetings, crossword groups, craft groups, birthday gatherings and families playing games with their children. We have a great range of books and games for our customers to use at their leisure while they’re in-store AND we also make up hampers for gifts, which can be done by our staff or you can choose your own to be wrapped with a bow! Gift vouchers are available in store also.
Did you know I also have a business Donella’s Yoga? I have been offering yoga classes in our community for 12 years now!
Is there a story behind the name you chose?
Pelicans was a newly established business when I first began working there and just 18 months later I bought it! The name Pelicans comes from a beach in the area - being beach and surf lovers plus they’re a great bird.
Where does your inspiration come from?
I have been inspired by so many people throughout my life. My yoga teacher, Lorrie taught me so much more than just yoga & it’s where I learnt a lot of life lessons and about dreaming big and envisioning great things for my life. I am inspired and encouraged by my amazing friends and by other women succeeding and thriving in business - too many people to list!
I have endured a lot in life from a young age, with the loss of my mum at age 11. I became quite independent and strong (after a while) and I’m definitely the type of person who sees the cup half full! I carry within me a strong sense of trust and faith that everything works out in the end & I love to take opportunities if and when they arise.
I am also inspired by my four amazing children. I want to provide them with more than I had growing up & to hopefully be a role model for them to go chase their dreams. I’ve been a solo mum for the past seven years so my kids are my everything and they were so encouraging of me giving this business a go and have been there to help and support along the way. I couldn’t have done it without them!
What is your favourite part of your job?
There are so many favourite parts to this job! I especially love the connection to community our service brings. I love chatting to customers, especially the locals who I get to know from their coming in on a regular basis & I love chatting to the tourists passing through town about where they’re from and providing some great ideas on what to do in our area. I feel like I have the best job - making peoples day with coffee, ice cream & treats of all sorts. I have an incredible team who are all great fun to work with and this makes the day enjoyable for all. I am a ‘people person’, so seeing many people each day is a real treat.
What do you offer your clients that no one else does?
Pelicans offers a few things that others don’t - our back sitting room is a calm & quiet room which so many people appreciate in a coffee shop for personal work, quiet/private conversations, group meetings, craft gatherings & crosswords. Quite a lot of our retail products are not available anywhere else in the town or region. We also provide games, colouring and story books for customers to enjoy while they have their cuppa’s.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learnt since starting your business?
So many things are learnt in business. Things I’ve learnt - don’t burn the candle at both ends! Get good at managing your own time, both working in the business, working on the business, prioritising time with your children, time with friends, and time alone.
I live a fairly busy life running Pelicans, teaching yoga and wanting to be there for my kids, let alone maintaining the house and having time with my partner! So that’s why I believe it’s so important to maintain things in your day that fill your cup - for me that’s yoga & meditation, running (I ran my first ½ marathon in Port Fairy this year and another in Melbourne last month), beach walks, ocean swimming, saunas, reading, massage. It’s essential to look after your own wellbeing so that you can be the best version of yourself for all those around you.
Consistency is key!!! Consistency in business and also, consistency in looking after yourself. Personal growth & wellbeing are very close to my heart.
It is always a joy walking into Pelicans. The atmosphere is light and bright, plus the selection of chocolates and ice cream is overwhelmingly good! I had a lovely morning photographing and chatting with Donella. There is no doubt that she has created a space that is warm and welcoming to all, but being a people pleaser can also be draining. If all you’re doing is focusing on others, there is a high chance of burnout, so I’m so glad that Donella also points out how important it is to find a balance in your professional and personal life. As I enter the very busy period for photographers, I need to keep this forefront before I spend hundreds of hours staring at a computer screen making sure all my clients get their photos delivered before Christmas! So what am I taking away? Just like Donella, it’s good to be a ‘People Person’. If you are too, be PROUD of it!
Edwina xx
If you are looking for a friendly cafe that supports the locals, then give Donella your support. Jump onto her socials and look at what Pelicans has to offer. For all FAQs, news, and information, give Donella a follow (and your support) on her social media pages…
Instagram: @pelicanspf & @donellas_yoga
Facebook: Pelicans Port Fairy & Donella’s YOGA