Members Profile

Name: Robyn O’Connell
Business Name: Silver Celebrants
Address: P O Box 5116, Ringwood, Vic.
PC: 3134
Phone: (03) 9887 4382
Mobile: 0425 726 246
Email: robyn@silvercelebrants.com.au
Web Address: www.silvercelebrants.com.au

SELF
Q. Tell us something about you – your philosophy, your lifestyle, your ethics, your hobbies etc.
A. I love life! My goal (and dream) in life is to make a difference in the lives of others either through my work or life example – in fact I wrote my epitaph once and it said: "She made a difference". That is my longest term goal – the shorter ones hopefully lead up to that. I love to write which is part of my career but also one of my hobbies. I write some poetry (although I would not call myself a poet), and chat on the internet, where I met the co-author of my second book Goldy!!

BUSINESS DETAILS
Q. What is it that your business does?
A. I am a Celebrant and Author. I have THE best job in the world – people allow me to be part of their lives and their most personal and sacred times, be it weddings or funerals. I am predominantly a Funeral Celebrant and I celebrate life! 90% of my weddings come through referrals either through families who I have worked with or people who have seen me presenting. I also do public speaking, where (believe it or not) I do presentations on grief/bereavement – and yes we do have plenty of laughs through it! People always say to me afterwards “I never came expecting to laugh and enjoy a topic like that!”

Q. Do you work from home? How many do you employ?
A. Although I work from home, a lot of work is performed outside of it. So I am lucky to have a balance of working alone yet having interaction with other people.

Q. How long have you been in business?
A. Silver Celebrants began in 2002 and Silver Celebrant Publications began in 2004.

Q. What makes your business unique?
A. My business is me, therefore everything I do reflects who I am! Every life is unique and so is every wedding, so I am constantly renewed in my work each time I am asked to perform a ceremony.

MARKETING
Q. What is the most important Marketing/Networking tool/strategy your business has had success with?
A. The most successful tool I have is my booklet ‘Some Things I Might Not Have Told You…….but you might like to know’. This booklet is given to surviving spouses to record their wishes for their funeral and their wishes for their family.

AWARDS
Q. Has your business been nominated for, was a finalist in, or won any awards or other commendations?
A. In 2007 I was honoured with a Highly Commended Award in the MCEI Marketing Awards, I have also been a finalist in the Maroondah Business Excellence Awards in 2005 and 2007.

ADVICE
Q. What is the most helpful piece of advice you could give to other businesses?
A. 1. Be passionate about what you do, I am and the consequence of that is that I don’t feel I have worked a day in the last six years! 2. Never give up, for the first three years all of my statistical data told me I should walk away – but I had a dream and I wanted to live that dream – after three years it became viable and in the last three years my income has doubled each year – but you should never lose your passion!

SUPPORT
Q. What is it you are looking for as a member of MCEI?
A. I enjoy the interaction with other members of MCEI, the social aspect of it as well as the marketing aspect. I like being motivated by other people who are passionate about their business and don’t have the ‘I’m just working to make ends meet’ mentality.

Q. What is it you can offer to MCEI members?
A. Obviously in my occupation I have people who are ‘dying’ to meet me *laughs*….. seriously, as well as offering services of celebrancy, I am also happy to do talks for any groups that would like a guest speaker. NB I do not charge for this service just ask for the opportunity to have my books/booklets available for purchase.

Q. How do you envisage demonstrating your support and loyalty to the association of MCEI?
A. I have (and will continue to) recommended the group to others. I have a link on my website in my links section.