Why I wrote my book

Author: Antoinette Colbran
Category: Manage Finances

Living an idyllic life on Sydney’s lower North Shore, with a successful business I ran with my husband, two gorgeous little girls, a beautiful home and a beach house, all was blissfully running smoothly, or so I’d thought. I had always taken a more passive role in the financial side of the business so really had no way of knowing exactly what our financial position was at any given time.

I did know things were suddenly changing. Our booming business of 10 years was affected by an unexpected and dramatic change in the law which meant a lot less work in our area of industry. In a very short span of time, many of our clients had all but disappeared and revenue plummeted.

I’ll never forget the day my husband came home from a meeting with the bank.

I was making a pasta sauce – my two small children playing happily nearby.

I asked what the outcome of the meeting was. He tried to smoothly break the news to me, whilst adding through the broken conversation, that I wasn’t to worry – everything was going to be alright.

I insisted he share the news. He said, “We have to sell this house, our beach house, everything.”

My heart dropped to my stomach and I immediately left the kitchen to sit on the couch and cry. I regained some composure to turn the gas off and then I just belted out the questions.

My life flashed before me. I wasn’t worried about selling the beach house, as beautiful as it was. Losing the roof over your head? That’s a very different matter.

Life’s great until it isn’t.

Having sought medical and financial advice, I set about getting my thoughts down on paper – a book- The title of my book – “Great Handbag – don’t forget your Briefcase” came to me pretty easily. I thought every girl loves a great handbag – hell yes! But there’s an economic impact to that.

Look good, present well, do everything in your fabulous life you want to, but never, ever take your eyes off the finances – particularly in a personal or business partnership. Make absolutely sure that every decision made is a joint one so that nothing ends up in your lap to clean up that you didn’t have every part in choosing.

For me the writing of my book was a cathartic measure. It allowed my feelings of anger, insecurity, self-doubt and total fear to pour out of me in thirteen chapters over two years.

I have a few key pieces of advice to other women when it comes to finances

Remain on top of your game. Make sure you have all those answers to the questions which are unclear to you. Ask questions until you understand the finances and have significant input into decisions that impact your family or your business financially now and definitely in the future.
Keep yourself equipped with skills in order to be able to step up and take over or take on the remnants of a business or lifestyle, should you need to later on in life.
Get independent professional financial advice.
Know that you are so capable of stepping up and managing change. Piece by piece, surround yourself with like-minded business owners, or women in corporate jobs. You will be amazed at how much support from other women is out there. The sisterhood is strong – put yourself in there amongst it and do not be afraid to ask for help.

My book is available through my website: http://www.antoinettecolbran.com.au

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Each day I wake up excited to inspire everyday people to open up and take control of their money, regardless of their history, goals, or savings amount. About Vanessa >>

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Authors

Vanessa Stoykov

Vanessa has been passionate about writing and storytelling since her days of hiding under the doona with her torch to read after bedtime.
Kathy Skantzos

Kathy is a yoga-loving world traveller who also happens to moonlight as a business journalist and writer. She was the finance editor of news.com.au and the Managing Editor of CEO Magazine (Asia) before joining Vanessa and the evo squad.
Shayne Sommer

Shayne is second dan black belt in karate, and a budding romance writer with a difference. Why? Because she writes romance stories that always have a money lesson.
Antoinette Colbran

Specialising in stories for 50+ women, Antoinette draws from her own experiences to help other women avoid the pitfalls and see the benefits of understanding their money situation.
Michael Crooks

Michael Crooks is a more than 20 year writer and documentary maker who has worked with Time Inc and the BBC, who wants to expose the truth from real victims of financial crime to help others avoid their mistakes.
Kim Payne

Kim Payne has spent the past three decades as a speaker, trainer, business coach, and consultant in financial services. She has worked with and transformed hundreds of brilliant, educated, high achievers who are chronically under-living.
Rebecca Pritchard

Rebecca Pritchard is on a mission to help men and women achieve equality when growing a family.
Antony Perring

Ant is a writer, designer and business builder with a love of food, design and good living. He writes on food and money in an easy to do way.
Julie Hyde

Julie Hyde is a leader of leaders. A disruptor and a powerful people enabler who empowers leaders to make big things happen.
Joshua Pennell

As a Dad to four kids and a business owner, Josh is passionate about family and finances and is known as The Family Finance Guy.
Sid Lal

Sid is a serial entrepreneur who set up his first business when he was still in University. Since 2009 he has been heading Bruce Clay, first in India & more recently in Australia.
Lou Johnson

Lou Johnson believes in the power of sharing stories to build empathy, understanding and connection. Growing up surrounded by books and storytelling, alongside her drive to make a difference led her to a highly successful career in book publishing.
David Rae

Dave is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and has been a financial adviser since 2003. He works with a range of clients and has a strong focus on ethical and sustainable investing.
Natallia Smith

Natallia specializes in assisting pre-retiree single women—whether they are never married, widowed, separated, or divorced—understanding deeply the importance of financial stability during life's pivotal moments such as separation, divorce, retirement, and the loss of a loved one.
Mark Hoy

With over 15 years of experience in financial services, Mark established Wollemi Wealth Management in 2013. His business is built almost entirely on referrals and word of mouth — a testament to the trust, integrity, and long-term relationships he forms with his clients.
Derek Gascoigne

Derek Gascoigne is the State Manager for UniSuper Advice in Victoria and Tasmania. Derek has been with UniSuper for over 15 years, and his career in superannuation and financial services spans 27 years and counting.
Annika Bradley

Annika Bradley is Head of Advice Strategy, Research & Technical at UniSuper. She brings over 20 years of experience across investments and wealth management in both the public and private sectors.
Wayne Leggett

Wayne has been a recipient of numerous industry awards and was one of the first to qualify as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). He has been heavily involved in industry affairs at the highest level, including serving as national president of the Association of Financial Advisers (now FAAA).
Conrad Francis

Conrad Francis is the Founding Director of Inspired Money, a Perth-based financial coaching and financial planning, mortgage broking and money coaching firm he established in 2011.
Andrew Beks

Andrew Beks is a Chartered Accountant and the founder of Simplified Business and Accounting.