Janet DeNeefe’s Midas touch has enabled her to grow a business empire she loves on the beautiful island of Bali | #447

Australian Janet DeNeefe met a Balinese man in 1984, and with very little thought, moved to the charming Balinese hillside town of Ubud and threw herself into a new life. She had no plan (she never does as you're about to find out!) … she just knew she was in love.

Back then, ducks and cows wandered down the main road and telephones were a luxury. That was 35 years ago.

Since then, she’s given birth to four children and numerous businesses … all of which have blossomed.

This is a story of a highly creative business woman who doesn’t care for planning, isn’t scared to have an idea and quickly get it to market … and whose Midas touch seems to turn everything to gold.

Janet also shares:

• How she launched her first business in Bali
• What role her creativity plays in launching and running each business
• Why she started the Ubud Reader’s & Writer’s Festival and the Ubud Food Festival
• What role marketing plays in each of her businesses
• How she manages the family dynamics of working with her husband and now sons
• And plenty more …

 

“One day my staff called me and said there were two women here that want to meet you. So I met with them and they turned out to be interior designers who wanted me to provide the soft-furnishings for Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island!” - Janet DeNeefe, Entrepreneur

 

Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with Janet DeNeefe:

1. Sometimes the idea of moving location to start a business or re-energise an existing business isn’t a bad idea. That doesn’t necessarily mean moving overseas! … it could just be moving down the road in to a new space.
2. I love how Janet’s operating in a variety of different categories - from food, to tourism to homewares. I know there’s a school of thought that says do one thing well; however, if you have another business idea that you’d love to launch, then maybe take some inspiration from how Janet goes about things.
3. I love any business that gives back to the local community. Janet starting the Ubud Readers & Writers Festival following the Bali bombings is a great example of a business with a strong social conscience.

 

Resources mentioned:

• Casa Luna - Janet DeNeefe’s cafe
• Indus - Janet DeNeefe’s restaurant
• Janet DeNeefe’s personal website & blog
• Honeymoon Guesthouse - Janet DeNeefe’s Hotel
• Emporium - Janet DeNeefe’s homeware store

 

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