KIVA

One day about five years ago Leanne’s brother-in-law told her about microloans and how he was helping small businessmen in under privileged countries start their own business. Leanne thought it was a marvellous idea but promptly forgot about it as she pursued other charities. About three years later she read the book Half The Sky: How to change the world, by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn which opened her eyes to some of the most shocking and wide-spread human-rights violations against women in our world today. But rather than feel saddened by the stories Leanne felt empowered by the people who, through their own small actions, were making a difference. It was only a month or two later that she discovered KIVA and found a way to empower woman by giving them independence and choices via business start up. She made her first microloan choosing to help a woman in Cambodia set up a grocery stall. For only $25 she got to contribute to her loan and over the course of 18 months she paid Leanne back. That money then stays in Leanne’s KIVA bank account and she has since reloaned it to a group of women in Guatemala. It’s that simple. KIVA is now the Achieve Beyond charity of choice – business women helping business women.

Arpace

Around a year ago Leanne attended a Canberra Business Point internet marketing workshop where she learnt that her business website looked like “technicoloured spew”. That was a turning point for this little piece of Deep Fried Fruit. She realised that she wasn’t the guru on everything and she didn’t have to be the action officer for every single aspect of her business – she could actually hire in the occasional expert. Enter Amalia Ridwan from Arpace.

Amalia was also at the workshop and two days later she made contact with Leanne to see if she could assist with her positive forward movement. Unfortunately for Amalia Leanne had already redesigned her site based on the feedback from the previous day. Fortunately she already had vision for her new children’s book series and associated product line and Leanne wanted Amalia on her team. They have never looked back. Well, Amalia may have … Leanne admits she can be a bit demanding at times … but for the most part they are working together as a well oiled machine.

This website comes courtesy of Amalia and her crew at Arpace, as does Leanne’s Cheer Chick Charlie website, most of the Cheer Chick Charlie graphic design, the covers for her books, business cards, the banner for the Deep Fried Fruit blog and the marketing strategy. Yep, Arpace is definitely a “friend” of www.LeanneSheaLandown.com. If you live in Canberra or the surrounds she could well be the girl for you.

Disney Australia

Our world wouldn’t be anywhere near as magical without Disney in it. Disneyland is the stuff that dreams are made of and Leanne is a huge fan – always has been. Leanne can safely say that her love for them has increased exponentially since they chose her to join their official press contingent to travel to LA for the opening of Cars Land.

Disney for Leanne is about allowing kids to celebrate Kid-nom and encouraging adults to embody their inner child. Life can be really simple if you let it and Disney is a reminder that celebration, laughter and a bit of good old fashioned squealing is good for the soul. Disney is indeed a very good “friend”.