Hi, I'm Mel
If you've found your way here, chances are you're juggling a lot - just like I am.
The Corporate Years
I spent 20 years at the Australian Taxation Office, working my way up to acting Executive Level 2. I did everything from compliance and complaints to executive reporting, procedures, quality assurance, and mediating on million-dollar debts and pre-litigation matters. It was intense work, but I loved the problem-solving and the intellectual challenge.
I was on track for early retirement with a golden parachute and thought I had my life sorted.
Then life happened.
When Everything Changed
My personal circumstances shifted dramatically when I became a solo parent with complex caring responsibilities. Despite all those years building my career, something had to give. I made the incredibly difficult decision to walk away from the ATO - losing that golden retirement plan I'd worked so hard for - and moved cities for a fresh start.
At 40-something, I literally had to start all over, which was terrifying and liberating at the same time.
Finding Work That Fits
After leaving the ATO, I worked remotely for EasyCrypto, helping them establish their Australian office while managing customer service and compliance. Later, I joined MYOB as a Partner Success Manager - essentially an account manager focused on keeping accountants and bookkeepers happy and helping them build stronger relationships with their clients.
Working from home was a revelation. I could actually manage my caring responsibilities without constantly feeling like I was failing at everything.
But here's the thing - I'd also been quietly running my own small business for over 15 years. I import and sell a very niche health product (anion sanitary pads) that genuinely helps women. It's taught me everything about business ownership, from international sourcing to customer service to cash flow management.
Creating Something New
The idea for Beautiful Lights actually came from my own family's experience. When my daughters became NDIS participants, we discovered how limiting the traditional support worker model could be. All three of us are autistic, and we were nervous about having strangers in our home. When we tried face-to-face support workers, some weren't a great fit and made us feel pretty uncomfortable. Our trust in strangers was low, and it felt like there was just a one-size-fits-all approach that didn't suit our family.
The girls' therapists stressed the importance of connection with the outside world, but they understood it needed to be done in a way that felt safe and met our needs. I looked everywhere for online NDIS support services but couldn't find any.
So I created something completely new - online NDIS support work that puts choice and safety first. When I tell people - especially allied health professionals - what I do, they consistently say it's exactly what their clients need but couldn't find anywhere else.
Did I know what I was doing? Absolutely not. I made plenty of mistakes along the way.
The Learning Curve
(AKA Expensive Mistakes)
Looking back, I think my autistic trait of taking people literally worked against me. I believed what these professionals told me without knowing how to tell someone genuine from a charlatan. It was an expensive lesson in trusting my own judgment.
I launched with what I had and spent six months fixing everything myself - learning and growing as I went. Some days I felt like I was drowning, but I kept going because my clients needed me and, honestly, I needed them too.
Where I Am Now
Today, I work with four incredible clients for about 20 hours per week, generating around $70,000 annually. My books are full by choice - I keep one day free for respite and family time, and I have a waiting list.
I don't advertise. New clients come through word of mouth or when I reply to the occasional Facebook group post. My clients inspire me every day. They teach me things, share their stories, and somehow manage to give back to me even while I'm supporting them.
Instead of expanding Beautiful Lights and taking on more clients myself, I realized I'd rather spend my time helping others build what I've built. This way, more NDIS participants can get the support they need - which is particularly important as NDIS plan budgets are being slashed and transport is rarely factored in realistically. It's a win-win for everyone.
Why I Started Little Piece
Every single day in mums' groups, I see women desperately asking how they can work from home or earn extra income around their caring responsibilities. They have incredible skills and experience, but most opportunities either don't fit their reality or make promises that sound too good to be true.
I've been where they are. I know what it's like to feel like you're starting over, to need work that actually fits around life instead of taking over your life.
What I've Learned
Growth & Mindset Shift
Professional skills absolutely transfer to this work, but the business side requires different thinking than corporate roles.
Perfection is overrated. I spent way too long worrying about having everything perfect before starting, when really my clients just needed genuine help and professional service.
Connection & Community
Community matters more than I realized. Working from home while managing caring responsibilities can be incredibly isolating.
You can do much more than you think you can, especially with AI help (used thoughtfully and carefully).
Trust & Sustainable Success
You don't have to do everything yourself, but be careful who you trust with your investment.
Learning to tell genuine professionals from charlatans is a skill I wish I'd developed earlier.”
“Starting small and building sustainably beats burning out spectacularly every single time.
My Reality
I live with my two daughters (both autistic, and one with very complex medical needs), our elderly rescue dog Frank, plus two cats, eight chickens, and a plethora of wild animals that visit our property - wallabies, bandicoots, snakes, goannas, guinea fowl, kookaburras, possums, koalas, and more.
My caring responsibilities are complex and ongoing. I manage late-diagnosed autism and ADHD myself, along with various health challenges and the general overwhelm that comes with solo parenting while running a business. Oh, and let's not forget the joy of perimenopause!
I share this not for sympathy, but because I want you to know that if I can build something sustainable with all this going on, maybe you can too.
I use Trello to manage all the balls in the air. I prioritize based on best use of energy. I've learned to regulate my nervous system, ask for help when I need it, and only allow people in my space who make my life better (where I have control over that).
Most importantly, I remember that most "fights" are with systems and bureaucracy, not with actual humans.
What Success Looks Like to Me
Financial Stability
Making enough to feel secure and supported — not chasing wealth, just building a stable, sustainable life.
Meaningful Impact
I work at it every day. Like you, I’m a work-in-progress.
Shared Support
When you have a clear strategy and strong brand foundations, it becomes easeful and aligned.
Authentic Balance
I’ve worked across industries — with councils, NFPs, micro businesses, and growing brands. I thrive in variety, and I bring that wide-angle lens to every client I support.
The Vision
My main goal is helping others set up their own businesses to create better lives for themselves while increasing the number of people doing what I do - which means more NDIS participants can get the support they need.
As a bonus, I'd love to see a community develop naturally - people who understand what it's like to build work around life rather than the other way around. People who can support each other through the challenges, share resources and knowledge, maybe even cover for each other when urgent caring needs arise.
This isn't about scaling to millions or building empires. It's about helping you carve out your little piece of meaningful, flexible work that honors both your capabilities and your reality.
If you're ready to explore what your little piece might look like, I'd love to help.
No pressure, no false promises - just practical guidance from someone who's been where you are
