Meet Karen Buttery from Perpetual Health

Over the years, I’ve worked for a number of large companies as a travel consultant and in Human Resources, but at the heart of it, I’m a working mum just like so many others and have 4 small children under the age of 12.
I have had a varied and challenging life and 13 years ago moved to Australia. It was a great new adventure and sometimes life doesn’t all go as planned. One of my biggest challenges was having 2 children and going through domestic violence and not being able to share with the outside world or family how I was feeling. I became a single mum with no family around which was very hard but I still had a drive to succeed.
I met my now wonderful husband who took on the role of dad to my young children. We thought life was going to be great but other blows came when I had to have knee surgery and discovered a tumor in my knee. I couldn’t work for months and being in commission only job this ended in us getting so far behind and we lost our house and struggled to feed our children.
With 4 small children to care for I knew we needed to make a change for our future where we could create a financial security for us and others.
This is what has given us the drive to succeed and helped us create our very successful international business which we run from home around the kids. We have created a life with choice and paid it forward and helped hundreds of families all over the country.

Tell us about your business

My work now is largely providing information to people on how they can use products that don’t contain the harmful toxins found in most mass marketed household brands. By simply switching stores, they can access products that are better for them and their families. I also manage and mentor a team in Australia and abroad and help them achieve the same success that I have.

I show people how to shop differently, for better products. Largely, this is through referrals, presentations, social media and networking opportunities. I am absolutely passionate about the products and the opportunity that the company offers families to succeed financially.

Now that I have partnered with various non profits, I also show people that every time they wash their hair, brush their teeth, or do their laundry, they are helping projects in need of extra funding without spending more money.

Personal experience. I was introduced to the health and wellness products when 2 of my children were suffering from eczema. They were both on cortisone cream and things were not improving. A friend introduced me to the Company and the products and I switched over all of our household and personal care products. Eczema disappeared and I was hooked!

I am a very tenacious and ambitious person, looking to give my family the best opportunities in life. I am always looking for like-minded ambitious people to partner up with.

What does being a business owner means to you and why did you became one in the first place?

Being a business owner means I now have choices for my family. I am in control of my own destiny and there are no limitations. I wanted to no longer have to work 9-5. I wanted a life with every opportunity possible.

What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?

My greatest influences in business are people like JK Rowling – an inspirational woman who got every rejection and hit rock bottom but never gave up on her dream and succeeded.

What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?

My biggest accomplishments have been being asked to speak at our last 2 annual conferences as a trainer in front of hundreds of people. Public speaking was always a fear of mine and I now know that anything can be overcome.

What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?

The best advice I was given is to never give up. Dig deep to your why and stay consistent and be your true authentic self.

What has been the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your business?

I have used Facebook very effectively over the past 4 years to build relationships and expand connections. I love to train others in other businesses on the right and wrong ways to market and how to build genuine connections

What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?

Be true to yourself and never let anyone stop your dreams. Not everyone will connect with you but be kind, courteous and professional no matter how others are with you.

Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you run your business? If yes, please describe (and include links if available)

I love the book by Simon Sineok – start with why. Meetup groups are a great way to find other people to connect with that have similar ideas and values

Do you have any new projects coming up (or have you just completed a big project ~ reached a milestone, etc.)? If so, please tell us about it.

We have recently moved to Melbourne from the Sunshine Coast over the past 6 months and we are really excited to be working to expand the market here and help many families.

What do you do for fun/relaxation?

For fun and relaxation, I love to spend time with the children exploring Melbourne. I love to go to the gym, socialise with friends or have a lovely night out at a great restaurant with my husband.

What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?

Determination
Tenacity
Focus and vision

What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?

My fear is if I don’t help someone see the best in themselves and see them give up on themselves.

What makes you happy?

My family and seeing others succeed and seeing how I have changed someone’s life for the better. I love paying it forward.

What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?

When we started and we were struggling we sold many of our personal things and gave up time together even the new year’s fireworks in 2014 so we could hit the goal we set as a family.

Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?

I actually admire my husband in his business as a carpenter. He is such a perfectionist and hard worker. Someone who I see takes so much pride in his work.

Where you see yourself and your business in 10 years? 20 years?

In the next 10 years, we will become one of the first corporate Directors in our business in Australia. We will have expanded our business into many other international companies.

In 20 years we will be traveling the world and have complete financial freedom and have set our children up so they can have the choices they deserve.

What book has inspired you the most? (OR What is your favorite book?)

Simon Sinoek – Start with Why

How do you measure your success in business?

I measure the success by seeing others in our business blossom into leaders and growing personally and professionally. I know then that I have done a good job by helping that person or their family.

Do you have kiddies if so how many? And what is their favourite activity to do with you.

Yes, we have 4 under the age of 12.

Our daughter age 12 loves singing and is in stage school

Our son 9, plays guitar and plays soccer

Our son aged 10 plays soccer and basketball

Our 5-year-old son has started swimming lessons and is keen to play soccer

Karen’s Motivational quote

Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life. No one is here today because they did it on their own.