Female Founder Feature: Ariella Lew

Female Founder Name: Ariella Lew

Business Name: Kids On Track Consultancy

Website: www.kidsontrackconsultancy.com

Tell us about your business. What products or services do you offer?: We offer bespoke guidance for parents and professionals navigating child development milestones, challenging behaviour, or NDIS processes. We understand that every child is unique, and every family’s journey is different. Our mission is to provide compassionate and personalised support to families and caregivers.

Our strategies are tailored to the needs of your family and draw on the latest research and a holistic health-oriented approach.

Based in Melbourne, Australia, we also serve families worldwide through our consultancy services, helping to navigate the challenges of raising children and young adults.

What inspired you to start your business?: Seeing patients in the hospital setting and friends as they started their families struggle to fill the gap where formalised services end and informal services pick up. I knew I could do more to help these families.

How long have you been running your business?: Since 2012.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a woman in business, and how did you overcome it?: The juggle of being present for every moment in my own family's life whilst being present for the clients that need me the most at the same time.

I don't know if I have - I think it's a life long project to figure it out.

What has been your proudest moment as a business owner?: When other professionals in my field refer to me with the knowledge that I can help.

What strategies have helped you grow your business?: Networking with whoever is keen to catch up over coffee - you never know where opportunities will come.
Hiring people who share the values of the business
Ensuring that nothing we do is cookie cutter and that our clients truly feel heard and valued.

What tools or resources have been game-changers for your business?: Using Monday.com to manage our workflows has completely changed the game for our team interactions

Can you share one key lesson you’ve learned about managing finances as a business owner?: Use money you have to develop who you are as a core business rather than to have what you "must have" according to the experts and the coaches!

How do you balance the demands of your business with your personal life?: I am learning.

1) Having a work phone
2) Not having work emails on my personal phone
3) When I am with my child - I do not answer any phone so she is the focus of that time

What leadership qualities do you believe are essential for running a successful business?: Loving what you do and being inspired by the difference that you make

How do you motivate and manage your team?: We have a team watsapp chat where we share some personal things as well. It allows us to connect to each other as human beings and therefore want to show up for each other at work as well.

What role does mentorship or networking play in your business journey?: I wouldn't say I have mentors but my business exists and grows because of networking! I do however have people in the industry that I admire from a far and who I try to emulate in my work.

What trends do you think will shape your industry in the coming years?: I think the changes in the NDIS space are going to be a game changer. In addition to this the current cost of living pressures on families and the rise in young people's mental health struggles are going to force the industry to look at how to best reach and help those families who need help the most.

How do you stay ahead of the competition in your industry?: By ensuring that our clients always feel no one will care more than we do, fight harder for them or advocate for outcomes in a more invested way.

Who or what inspires you in your business journey?: My dad inspires me in everything I do and his belief in what I can accomplish far surpasses my own!

What books, podcasts, or resources have had the biggest impact on your professional growth?: I choose to listen to podcasts and read books that tell the stories of those who have faced hardship and overcome! This helps me to always look for the flashes of light to shine when a family's story looks particularly bleak and inspires me that there is no one that can't be lifted up when we hold their hands!

What’s a fun fact about you that most people wouldn’t know?: I am super shy!

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about your business?: That our clients truly matter. We all know every single one of them and will leave no stone unturned to help them.

Reflecting on your time in business, what is one piece of advice you would give to another woman to help her on her business journey?: Be true to who you are and your values and inner voice. It is more powerful and will set you on the right path, more often than anything else!

How can people connect with you or learn more about your business? (e.g., website, social media, etc.): Our website, instagram, facebook!