Eleni Mitakos participated in the Australian Businesswomen's Network's MentorNet program. For more information on MentorNet, please click here.

The Mentoree: Eleni Mitakos, Galmatic

Why did you become a mentoree?

I was working from home with a two year old and two day old when I started the mentornet program - I had no colleagues to bounce ideas off and was very uncomfortable networking with technology. I much preferred the good old way of face to face - but knew that I had to embrace social media, especially since my market was social media savvy.

What were you hoping to get from the experience?

I wanted to be more comfortable making new contacts and using my years of business experience to reach new markets - put simply I wanted to network my ideas and learn from others.

What is the biggest challenge of being a mentoree?

The hardest thing I found was to pinpoint my weaknesses and challenge myself - Kate, my mentor, helped me to identify the strengths I had that could be applied to what I felt uncomfortable with. For example - I am very confident speaking on the phone and face to face, but very nervous making contacts via email/cold call letters. I solved this by using things such as Twitter and Skype - which allowed me a more casual way of making connections which in turn has led to phone calls and face to face meetings!

What is the most powerful thing you've learned?

Plan, plan, plan! Yes it sounds so clichéd, but the program really helped me focus on my long term goal, which in turn helped me to prepare action steps.

What would you say to anyone considering being a mentoree in the MentorNet program?

The program will work really well for you if you attend the sessions and know what you want to achieve from it. The more you put in, the more you will get out of it.

How does your work/business help you fulfil your vision for your life and lifestyle?

With two young children, it was important to me to be home with them in their younger years. I also wanted to build a business where I could use my skills and strengths. Galmatic allows me to work from home and blend working with raising my two girls.

How did doing MentorNet help towards fulfiling your vision for your business and life?

MentorNet was very helpful. During the course I established a clear path to my goals. It also allowed me to participate from home and I could do my work in the evenings (more like the wee hours of the morning).

Any additional comments?

I try not to think of having life work balance as much as a blend of work and life. Try and remember why you started your business and what actions you need to take to stay on that path.

Galmatic runs fun and interactive Car Care Workshops for women - we think of ourselves as an old fashioned garage: where you know your customers and provide them with second to none service.

Galmatic is a gals one stop shop for car care products and information - to keep them cruising in style and feeling confident when driving.

Name: Eleni Mitakos
Company: Galmatic
Website: www.galmatic.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/galmatic
Blog: www.galmatic.blogspot.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/galmatic