The Founder - Jodie Ensor WINNER OF THE 2007 MCEI MARKETER OF THE YEAR AWARD "Passion plays an important part in getting things done... if you can find a way to get people passionate you can achieve just about anything" JE In less than three years, Mud Drum Australia grew from a part-time business operating from a garden shed to a commercial company based in Adelaide. It all started with a $1000 investment from a supportive Mum, an unshakable self-belief from its creator, Jodie - and plenty of passion! Jodie was raised to think like an entrepreneur. From an early age her family encouraged her creative talents and taught her to recognise business opportunities. As early as primary school, Jodie's enterprising ideas were generating an income for her! The challenge and freedom of trying to make her own way in the world, rather than relying on the security and comfort of a regular pay cheque, motivated Jodie to take the entrepreneurial path, as did the example set by her "Papa", a successful entrepreneur himself and one of her greatest role models and inspirations. At age 20, after graduating with a Cert IV in Applied Visual Arts, Jodie started her first business making unusual clay percussion instruments. For three years she travelled the country selling her drums at major music festivals and craft markets. The business expanded into wholesaling after continuous expressions of interest from retailers wishing to stock Jodie's creations. In 1995, at the age of just 23, Jodie opened her first retail space, a community-based gallery that showcased her work along with that of other artists from the community. Teaming up with fellow pottery artist, Wendie Shephard, Jodie conducted a series of workshops offering everything from drum making to school holiday programs and workshops for children. In 1996, a $15,000 order from a major retailer in Cairns enabled Jodie to head overseas and settle in London for four years. Travel and the experience of being based abroad provided Jodie with great inspiration and ideas for her future work and business. In 2001 Jodie returned to Australia to be with family for the birth of her son. After a year as a full-time mum, Jodie once again set her sights firmly on her business and the challenge of rebuilding her empire! Mud Drum Australia was 'born' in November 2002. "Made with Passion, to be played with Passion"; the new product range was set to make some noise. Armed with $1000 from her mum and her renowned passion, Jodie registered her business, acquired a web domain, enlisted a talented friend to design her logo, and set about making drums with a whole new vision. Jodie recognises that a key factor of her success is lifelong learning and the people around her. She pays great thanks to family and friends for their unconditional support and belief in her abilitiy to succeed. "The reson I achieve my goals is A) because I set them in the first place and B) I have amazing people around me everyday telling me I can!" Jodie has a natural ability to build motivated teams who share a vision and strive for it with passion. It is this approach that now sees Mud Drum Australia's dynamic team working from an award-winning business plan ("State Enterprise Workshop Award 2004" winners) in pursuit of Jodie's original goal. Another key factor is having the ability to diversify and recognise opportunities. This skill has seen Jodie establish a property investment company and expand into educating others. In 2007 Jodie accepted an appointment with the award winning Proteus Leadership Centres and works as their National Marketing and PR Manager. "My experience in building business uncovered a bit of a natural talent or love for Marketing - building brands and establishing a presence in the market place is what I love the most about growing a business. To be working for such an incredible compnay like Proteus and have the great honour of Marketing them is a dream come true!" www.proteuscentre.com.au Over the last three years Jodie has built a reputation as an inspiring motivational speaker – she presents with unstoppable passion, and her down to earth nature and ability to tell it like it is brings a breath of fresh air into her specialty topics “Making your Mark” - Marketing and Branding - organisational and personal “Starting something with nothing” - Building a business on a shoestring budget “My wild child” - The growth of a business and a baby and what the similarities can teach us! Get in touch with Jodie at jodie.ensor@proteuscentre.com
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