009 Irene Baker | 99AuPairs

"AuPairs, Opportunities & Giving Back" 

Juggling family and work can be a lot to handle. No one knows this better than episode guest Irene Becker, full-time working mum.

So when Irene found a personal solution, she quit her corporate job in marketing to start 99aupairs and bring this solution to busy families all over Australia.

Irene joins me in this episode, and we discuss:

• Irene’s transition from corporate marketing to business ownership
• Challenges Irene has faced since starting 99aupairs, and two things that help her persevere
• Initiatives that 99aupairs is putting into place for local young people

Key Highlights

• 00:45 About Irene Becker
• 02:09 How 99aupairs started
• 03:57 Why Irene left her corporate job in marketing to start 99aupairs
• 05:35 Challenges Irene had to overcome at the beginning of her business
• 07:40 How Irene’s boss handled Irene’s announcement that she would quit to focus on her business
• 09:21 Irene talks about dealing with COVID-19
• 11:35 Two things that help Irene persevere even when she feels like giving up
• 14:29 What is an au pair?
• 20:43 Why Irene currently prefers male au pairs for her family
• 22:48 Irene on partnering with a charity
• 28:10 Competition Irene faced when starting her business
• 34:53 Irene talks about placing local youth with host families who will inspire them

Rapid-Fire Questions

26:30 What’s a fundamental value that you’ve woven throughout everything that you do, and why is it important to you?

27:15 What is your secret sauce?

29:24 What’s your go-to remedy when you’re having an off day?

30:01 What is the most important lesson you’ve learnt so far in your business?

31:17 What is the big dream?

32:45  What is a resource/tool/system that you use in your business that you couldn’t live without?

34:07 What is something that has happened recently in your business that you’re proud of?

39:51 What is a hot take about your industry that people might not know?

40:43 What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone who’s thinking about starting a business or at the beginning of their business journey?

41:25 Final word for listeners?

Connect with Irene Becker

• 99aupairs Instagram
• 99aupairs website

As always, feel free to connect with me on Instagram @siafecreative; I would love to know what you thought of this episode!