Meet three ambitious Australian start up founders who have very different businesses but share one thing: They took the leap<\/a> to turn their side-hustle dream into a full time reality. Time to get inspired.<\/p>\n Having secured more than 400 retail stockists in just over 18 months, it\u2019s safe to say Koala Eco is well on the way to making the world a cleaner place.<\/p>\n The brainchild of husband and wife duo Jessica Bragdon and Paul Davidson, this eco-friendly cleaning product business, which champions the use of Australian botanicals over harsh chemicals, has experienced a meteoric rise – but not without hard work.<\/p>\n \u201cPaul and I have certainly put in the effort\u2026 we are fully involved in all aspects (of the business),\u201d Jessica said of Koala Eco\u2019s rapid growth.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve sourced a really good network of people who understand how our kind of business model works. We’ve made some really important strategic partnerships with companies who specialise in supporting small business and helping them access large markets via online or in-store retail opportunities.<\/p>\n \u201cOur relationship with Airtasker is a case in point. Mutually beneficial business relationships are key to our success; and then there\u2019s also the way we present ourselves through our online and product collateral. We pay close attention to making sure that our brand is strong.\u201d<\/p>\n With their products already on shelves in Australia, Hong Kong, mainland China, Indonesia and Korea, the entrepreneurs now have their sights set on the United States. They know it won\u2019t be easy to carve out a niche in such competitive market, but with a flexible workforce at their fingertips they\u2019re only a click away from people with the skills to help when they need.<\/p>\n Turning to Airtasker for everything from translation to website content<\/a>, bookkeeping<\/a>, inventory tracking and deliveries<\/a>, Jessica says the app has played an essential role in getting Koala Eco into homes and businesses across the world.<\/p>\n \u201cFor a small business startup like Koala Eco, which can\u2019t afford to hire a large full-time staff, the flexibility of Airtasker is brilliant,\u201d she enthused.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are able to pick and choose what jobs we subcontract and what we do ourselves. We have found diverse, dynamic, collaborative, talented people for our business; people whom we have used again and again.\u201d<\/p>\n While success is important to Jessica and Paul, the Sydneysiders would never compromise their brand\u2019s commitment to the environment to achieve financial goals.<\/p>\n In addition to removing bacteria, disinfecting and deodorising, Koala Eco products must also be proven to be biodegradable, eco friendly and made using ingredients sourced from native Australian plants before the company\u2019s diligent and detail oriented founders will even consider releasing them onto the market.<\/p>\n Every Koala Eco product sold also translates to a donation to One Percent for the Planet, a charity focused on the ongoing protection of land, forests and waterways, as well as sustainable energy production.<\/p>\n \u201cThe wellbeing of our children and future generations is totally dependent on the planet\u2019s wellbeing,\u201d Jessica explained of the ethos that underpins her business.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone is affected. Everyone has to acknowledge that it is our actions that can make or break this planet, and that the future is happening right here, right now. I just hope we haven\u2019t left it too late.\u201d<\/p>\n Understanding the importance of continual innovation and remaining resilient in the face of adversity are the most important qualities for a startup founder to possess, says Beat Body\u2019s Tom Sproats.<\/p>\n The fitness entrepreneur, who established Sydney\u2019s Scenic Cycle prior to launching Beat Body in September this year, is no stranger to startups and the blood, sweat and tears necessary to make them work.<\/p>\n \u201cAny startup is like a rollercoaster and when you ride those highs at the apex of a rollercoaster it\u2019s amazing and then when you hit those lows, they\u2019re really low,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have just got to try your best to eliminate emotion and find resilience within what you\u2019re setting out to achieve.\u201d<\/p>\n Opting to take a hands-on approach to as many elements of his new business as physically possible, Tom managed the design and build of Beat Body\u2019s Darlinghurst premises with assistance from trades<\/a> hired via Airtasker.<\/p>\n While the initial build was relatively seamless, just a few weeks after opening a burst pipe flooded the gym, washing all of his hard work down the drain. Rather than letting the episode stop him in his tracks, Tom jumped straight onto Airtasker to find the help he needed to get Beat Body back in tip top shape.<\/p>\n \u201cI turned to Airtasker to find numerous people to come in and assist get it back up and running,\u201d he explained. \u201cIt was a tumultuous 11 or 12 days but we worked hard and we did what we could and got it back up.\u201d<\/p>\n With all of the damage now repaired and business back to normal, the entrepreneur can once again focus on the rigours of everyday operations. To keep on top of his workload, Tom employs a virtual assistant<\/a> and has a strict policy of not answering calls during the day.<\/p>\n \u201cOn site I don\u2019t have a telephone line, I feel that everything can be answered digitally and I don\u2019t pick up my phone during the day unless it is urgent, if not I will wait to take my calls and deal with voicemails at a time when it suits me, which is mostly when I\u2019m driving home in the car at the end of the day,\u201d he revealed of how he prioritises his time.<\/p>\n \u201cI also have a virtual assistant which is extremely beneficial to me. A lot of tasks that don\u2019t need my immediate attention I have somebody else do so that I can focus on things that only I can do and that are the best use of my time.\u201d<\/p>\n A strong concept is a great jumping off point for a new business, but there’s a lot of work between a brilliant idea and startup success.<\/p>\n Coming from a background in business development Morgan McCarthy was experienced at helping organisations grow but when it came to launching his own venture – a platform to connect advertisers with consumers – he recognised he still had a lot to learn.<\/p>\n \u201cIn 2015 the concept was bouncing around in my head and it was something I really wanted to do but I realised I needed to bring my startup knowledge up and get serious about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Morgan hustled to secure a place at iAccelerate, an incubator where he was able to learn on the go and develop his concept with guidance from industry mentors, and the work didn’t stop there.<\/p>\n \u201cAs with any startup there were a couple of years of playing with it (before the official launch),\u201d Morgan said of the early days of his company, Screen Dopamine. “It was all about getting the ball rolling, no matter if things weren’t quite perfect, and learning along the way.<\/p>\n After countless hours reviewing and reworking his business plan Morgan refined his idea for a disruptive \u201cattention marketplace\u201d, designed to help advertisers make meaningful connections with consumers willing to give up their time in exchange for rewards. Screen Dopamine has already partnered with thousands of individual users and clients across sectors including events, government and trade services.<\/p>\n \u201cOn one side we have a big band of users that get paid for their time and attention for engaging with brands, and on the other side we have businesses that are desperate to talk to them,\u201d he explained of Screen Dopamine.<\/p>\n With no time to waste and everything on the line, Morgan has relied on Airtasker to connect with Taskers ready and willing to help out with all manner of jobs, big and small. The entrepreneur says the app has made life easier by allowing him to engage workers ranging from graphic designers<\/a> to delivery drivers<\/a> quickly and without fuss.<\/p>\n \u201cThe thing that impresses me most is the speed of it,\u201d he said of the community platform.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a startup you don\u2019t really have the financial resources to put on a big plethora of employees, you generally move from task to task quite quickly. It\u2019s a new style of workforce that you were never able to tap in to before. Where else could you find someone in 15 minutes who is willing to drop everything and drive to your office, pick something up and take it into the city for you?<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like having a flexible workforce ready to go to help you with anything. Whatever it is you need put Airtasker to the test and 99 times out of 100 you\u2019ll find someone who is able to help.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n We see you, side-hustlers. And we commend you. CGU Insurance has been backing ambitious Aussies and their small businesses for over 165 years, and we want to back you too.<\/p>\n So we\u2019re calling all ambitious side-hustlers, passion-pursuers, and dream-chasers to tell us what they\u2019re doing to achieve their goals. We want to hear about the barriers smashed and the obstacles overcome. We\u2019re interested to hear about where you want to be in the future \u2013 and how you plan to get there- and if you\u2019re successful \u2013 help you on your way.<\/p>\n WHAT\u2019S IN IT FOR YOU? READY? WHAT\u2019S REQUIRED: Disclaimer: Price: $1000<\/p>\nThe Eco Evangelist: Jessica Bragdon, Koala Eco<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"Australian](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/24064432\/Jessica-Koala-Eco-cleaning-products-1-web.jpg\")
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Jessica’s tip:<\/span> Stay true to your values, spend your time on the things you know need your personal skills and get help with the rest.<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The Fitness Founder: Tom Sproats, Beat Body<\/a><\/h2>\n
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Tom’s tip:<\/span> When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Don’t let the challenging points break your stride! And get a VA so you can prioritise your time effectively.<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The Marketing Mastermind: Morgan McCarthy, Screen Dopamine<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"Start](\"https:\/\/airtasker-seo-wordpress-blog-assets-prod.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/24064432\/Morgan-founder-Screen-Dopamine-4-web.jpg\")
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Morgan’s tip:<\/span> Never stop learning. Reach out to the industry, respect what you can learn from other peoples experience and don’t hold back because you don’t know it all yet – you’ll soon find out!<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Are you chasing a business dream? CGU<\/a> are looking for Australia’s most ambitious side-hustler and are paying $1000 to help achieve it! Apply for the task<\/a> by sharing your ambition.<\/h3>\n
SEEKING: Ambitious side-hustler<\/h1>\n
\nOur latest research shows that almost nine million Australians have thought about starting a business or side-hustle in the last 5 years, but just over 6% have actually done it.<\/p>\n
\nIf we think you\u2019re Australia\u2019s most ambitious budding entrepreneur, CGU will pay you $1000 to help you keep acting on your ambition and inspiring other Aussies to follow theirs.*<\/p>\n
\nTake the next step. Comment below to tell us why you\u2019re Australia\u2019s hardest-working side-hustler. Your response should include an example of how your ambition has helped you reach your goal relating to a specific passion project or business endeavour.<\/p>\n
\nThe chosen entrepreneur must be willing to share their side-hustle story in an interview with CGU, which will be shared across CGU and Airtasker social media channels. Date of interview to be decided between CGU and the chosen entrepreneur after assigned.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022Tasker comments in response to the task will be judged by CGU based on individual merit and\/or skill. Chance plays no part in CGU\u2019s decision.
\n\u2022The Tasker who posts the best\/most compelling comment in response to the task, as judged by CGU in its sole discretion, will be given the $1000 task fee.
\n\u2022CGU\u2019s decision is final and binding and no correspondence will be entered into.<\/p>\n