Meet Lena Watego, the small business owner of Way to Go Driving School based in Ayr, Queensland
Lena has been running her driving school called Way to Go Driving School in Ayr, Queensland since the last 4 years. She offers both automatic and manual driving lessons for people aged 16 and older.
“Many Rivers helped me with overall business coaching, obtaining my ABN and business insurance, and creating a business plan. My business coach, Rachel’s guidance throughout my business journey has been invaluable.”
Read more about Lena’s business journey so far:
Lena’s Business
I run a driving school called Way to Go Driving School in Ayr, Queensland. I offer both automatic and manual driving lessons for people aged 16 and older. I’ve been operating this business for four years.
What were you doing before you made contact with Many Rivers? Why did you want to go into business?
Before starting my driving school, I worked as a support worker with Child Safety for seven and a half years.
Working with Many Rivers
I found out about Many Rivers through a Facebook advertisement. Since starting a business was new to me, I felt it was important to seek guidance.
“Many Rivers helped me with coaching, obtaining my ABN and insurance, and creating a business plan. Rachel’s guidance throughout my business journey has been invaluable.”
Why did you want to go into business?
The local driving instructor in my area was retiring, and since I had experience teaching young learners, I decided to take over and continue offering lessons.
Did you get a loan from MR? How did you use the loan?
I didn’t get a loan from MR.
What did you find the most useful about the assistance from Many Rivers?
The most helpful aspect was the guidance on legal matters, such as taxation and cash flow, which I had no prior knowledge of.
Do you have any current employees? If so, how many employees? Are they full-time or part-time?
It’s just me running the business at the moment.
Biggest Challenge
The biggest challenge has been maintaining a steady income, especially with rising living costs and inflation.
Biggest Success
My greatest success is seeing more people get their driver’s licenses, which helps them secure employment and improve their lives. I track my success by the number of lessons I give and how many students pass their driving test. Additionally, my daughter has been a great help managing my Facebook page.
Biggest Change
The biggest change has been gaining independence and becoming my own boss. With the help of Many Rivers, I feel my business is on the right path, and I couldn’t have done it without them.
Future Goals
In the future, I hope my son will join the business so I can gradually retire, and he can take over. I also plan to expand the business to include motorbike lessons, keeping it a family operation with the potential for my younger relatives to get involved. I want to continue offering lessons on weekends and nights to support my community in changing their lives.
Thank you, Lena for sharing your business journey with us. We wish you the best of luck with future endeavours and business success.
If you would like to stay updated with Lena and her small business, follow “Way to Go Driving School” through the following link:
Website: https://waytogodriving.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waytogodrivingschool/
We love to encourage people to take the first step towards kick-starting their small business ideas. Do you have a business idea?
CLICK HERE to see if Many Rivers is right for you
B0012491
