STEPS

www.shirleycarton.com.au

1. Tell us about your business

Steps is a self growth business. We founded the Steps personal and spiritual transformation program in 1996. Since then we have written 3 published books. Providing dozens of free Inspirational, Motivational and Educational Articles, Tutorials, C.Ds and Video,s for our students. Teaching Courses, Workshops and one on one mentoring. Enlightened Spiritual practice and Meditation. A Spiritual, Moral and Ethical philosophy.

2. When and why did you start your business?

Started in 1996, Infinately Guided. The Message-The world is in battle between Negative and Positive, and unfortunately negative is winning. So Go out and make as many people positive as you can with the knowledge that you have. I have been doing just that ever since. My journey is to plant good seeds any where I can. I have not made any money, but I have helped people to achieve permanent peace, happiness, confidence, contentment ,and self love.

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

The joy of seeing people's lives change from negative to positive, in every aspect of thier life, health, relationships and achievements. My work is both a blessing and a responsibility. I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to be of service to others. One needs no other rewards.

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

Money is one because I could have done more for them , with education costs etc. I think one obsticle was having no degrees myself, I am self taught, out of I had to leave school at 14 but always had an inner passion to grow and succeed. Positive thinking and personal growth was always an obsession for me. I studied from 1971. to 1990 with many wonderful teachers. This how I realized it was my path to pass it on. I have two community service awards and have been nominated again this year.

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

Word to Mouth. Student tell friends and family. Books travel and my articles go all over the world through the article companies that I write for.

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

Newspaper advertising, because it is too expensive.

7. Name your favourite thing about your business

Seeing the changes in my students. Seeing them blossom and grow. Seeing students getting university degrees, when they came to me they had dropped out of school. Seeing families heal. Seeing people transend ethnic, social and economic times. Enjoying the good times, enduring the hard times and learning from all the life experiences. Rather than reacting to every little thing and falling into depression. I carry all of the in my heart I am so proud of them and the courage they have developed.

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

I tried to follow in the light of all the people like Martin Luther King. Mother Teresa. Fransis Assisi. The Rice Brothers. All of the past and present positive leaders of truth and integrity.

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

I will keep doing what I do until I leave this earth. I will never run out of people who need help.

10. Share your best business tip with our readers.

Put your customers needs first, follow up and look after them. Make them feel special. Keep them informed. Treat every customer equal no matter what they spend. Your $1.00 customer today, could be your $10.000 customer in a few years, if you leave a lasting impression on them. They are your success. Customer relations is everything. If you look after them, they will stay with you. If you do your work well the money will follow. The work comes before the paycheck. Success to me is helping others to succeed.

Visit us at: www.shirleycarton.com.au