February 26, 2009
the wall sticker company
Jenny, left, and Fiona from The Wall Sticker Company
Decals can be a bit hit and miss. In theory they're great, especially if you rent, or like to change your interior often. But there are a few nasty versions out there. Happily, The Wall Sticker Company stocks only great designs - and it's an Australian company too! My personal faves: the feather, the dots in the boy's room (ala Damien Hirst paintings - yes, I am obsessed), the elephants, and I love, love, love the quotes. Something I plan to do in little C's room.
Jenny Menz, co-founder
Which five words best describe you? Ambitious, passionate, creative, analytical and happy. What was your first job and what path have you taken since then? Paper delivery - Psychiatric nursing - Business Owner.
What’s your proudest achievement? Being a great Mum and building a great business at once.
What’s been your best decision? To ask my now husband on a date.
Who inspires you? My Dad, my step Dad, my business partner, and my little boy.
What are you passionate about? Creating a happy and beautiful home, looking after the environment, my business.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt? Luck comes from hard work.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Gwyneth Paltrow.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Live overseas.
What are you reading? The New Contented Little Baby Book by Gina Ford.
Fiona Gathercole, co-founder
Which five words best describe you? Relaxed, happy, motivated, determined, content. What was your first job and what path have you taken since then? I worked at Snow Deli as a checkout chick when I was 15 years old, I wore a hideous blue uniform with an orange apron & hat! Not a good look. At uni I studied nursing so worked in general medical nursing for a couple of years & realised it wasn’t for me. I then went back to uni & became a midwife which I LOVED; I worked in Delivery Suite at a large Melbourne hospital for about 5 yrs and then decided to backpack around Europe & Vietnam with my now business partner Jen. When I returned to Australia I decided I did not want to do shift work anymore so got a job in an IVF clinic which was quite fascinating but very challenging dealing with women's hormones!!! After having my children Jen & I started our home-based business (The Wall Sticker Company) to allow us the flexibility to work around family life.
What’s your proudest achievement? Running my first half marathon.
What’s been your best decision? A while ago Jen & I were tossing up whether to “go for it” of throw the towel in & we decided to go for it & thank goodness we did!!
Who inspires you? People who have made something out of nothing by working hard - like my father & my father in law.
What are you passionate about? Things that make me feel good & positive. My family, my friends, my business.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt? Don’t be afraid to ask questions. When we started The Wall Sticker Company we had no business background, no design background, no finance background, etc, etc - we have taught ourselves everything. We learnt pretty quick just to pick up the phone & ask stupid questions rather than guessing. And NEVER give up on what you believe in.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Kerryn McCann – I find women like this so inspirational. She lived life to the full, but it's so sad how her life ended so early.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? To complete the Noosa Triathlon. In 2006 I trained for five months with my best friend and five weeks out from the race I found out I was pregnant with my daughter!!!
What are you reading? I have started about five books but never get through them.
Images courtesy of The Wall Sticker Company