Savvy Sally's social success launching Sideshow Sally podcast during COVID-19

Sideshow Sally was only launched a week ago by Sally Latham but has already hit number 12 on the Apple Podcast charts for entrepreneurship.

With so many social distancing at home the timing was right for plenty of interest in a podcast designed to help people make their side business more full time.

Mrs Latham said the podcast has been in development for a year and the COVID-19 lockdown was a perfect opportunity to go live and offer tips and tools for starting a side business.

As the owner and founder of digital marketing, copywriting, social media and photography business Savvy Sally she had plenty of experience to draw on.

"Doing a podcast felt like a natural extension of that," she said.

Topics in her early podcasts have already included marketing, money and tips on what people can do during isolation to prepare their business for when the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

"Podcasts are so good because you can be vacuuming and listening to it at the same time," she said.

Free guide to businesses open during the COVID-19 crisis

Ms Latham has been a Kangaroo Valley resident for 13 years.

Before that she lived in Mt Warrigal, studied at the University of Wollongong and had a successful career as a financial planner.

By the time her two sons were born she had moved to the Kangaroo Valley where there were limited before-and-after school care options. So she made a career change.

It was around that time that she started a Facebook page called South Coast Kids. Which was her first foray into social media.

"That page was really successful. I got to 12,000 followers in 18 months and thought I can start a business doing this and work from home. That is what I did," she said..

"The same time I started the business (Savvy Sally) I was offered a job in social media at the same time with an agency. I took that job and worked there in Berry part time".

The idea to start the podcast was born when Mrs Latham decided she did not want to commute anymore.

Sideshow Sally does not just draw on her own experience.

"I am having guests come onto the podcast who have been through the same process," she said.

"It includes people who have worked in one profession and started up something completely unrelated and turned it into a full time business.

"The podcast is mainly about helping people take that step.

"I think the success of Sideshow Sally in the first week has been because of the planning and marketing. I have done a few podcasting courses and had a checklist And I have talking about the podcast for a year and telling people it is coming".

A link to the podcast can be found at savvysally.com.au.

The Illawarra Mercury has launched a Taking Care of Business campaign.

Each day we will highlight a local business who is adapting or evolving to be able to keep operating under these trying times.

If you know of a business adapting, please send us an email titled Taking Care of Business to gellis@illawarramercury.com.au.

We have also put a call out and will run a list of cafes, restaurants and clubs who are offering takeaway or delivery on our Facebook page. If you know of an outlet now offering home delivery or takeaway, please let us know and add it to the list.

Here is more about the campaign:

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