Happy Ending

www.happyending.com.au

1. Tell us about your business

1) Funeral Planning Website whereby the user records how they wish to be remembered and use social networking to share this information with family and friends. 2) Australian Funeral Home Portal/Directory

2. When and why did you start your business?

Businesses idea came to fruition a couple of years ago due to bad experiences dealing with planning friends-families funerals (bickering and emotional hardship)

3. On a personal level, what have you achieved with of your business?

Have assisted many people already in minimising friction and family feuds (when planning the funeral for a loved one) and have given thousands of users peace of mind knowing they have recorded how they wish to be remembered

4. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in growing your business?

Dying is a very difficult concept to sell plus have received negative feedback from certain funeral homes (who do not understan my business or what HappyEnding is about) thinking I am undercutting or taking something away from their substantial profit margins. Marketing is consistently challenging.

5. What activities have been successful in promoting your business?

Partnership with Seniornet NZ (promoting my site), partnerships and link exchanges with funeral homes

6. What activities were less successful for marketing your business?

Newspaper and magazine advertisements in National Seniors magazines - quite expensive and no return on investment.

7. Name your favourite thing about your business

Receiving emails from new members thanking me for the innovative idea and website

8. Who or what other businesses or business people inspire you?

David Cheng and DATASPEED - my dad is self made (didnt inherit a business or money etc) and has brought me up with an attitude that you must work hard to get the results - never expect something for nothing.

9. What are your plans for the future of your business?

Hopefully continue to grow with more members and expand our portal to not just cover Funeral Homes but other funeral related businesses.

10. Share your best business tip with our readers.

Your first instinct is usually the right one.

Visit us at: www.happyending.com.au