Angie Mansey has lived an interesting life with a few “ups” and many “downs” and then established a charity to help provide support for families in need!
We have talked about Angie’s story … homeless at 14; pregnant at 16 and gave birth to her son Rhyz; they escaped domestic violence; lived in a caravan and she studied to finish her schooling. She subsequently married Luke and they added three wonderful boys – but not without a few “hassles” on the way.
Their first boy, Corben, was born with a few medical difficulties including missing a piece of his esophagus; born with 3 kidneys and a problem with liver ducts and spent an amazing amount of time in hospital in Qld, Perth and Melbourne. Corben underwent 22 surgeries and the medical teams made sure this little boy survived – even when the medical monitors “flat-lined” a few times. The family sold everything to pay the bills.
When they returned to the Sunshine Coast with four boys, they bought a “dead business” using ‘vendor finance’ and built a nursery in the back so they didn’t have to pay daycare fees. They were amazed how well suppliers and customers accepted the need for baby feeds and disruptions while they built up the business. They worked hard to pay the business bills and pay off the collection of debts.
Now, Rhyz is in the Army and visits whenever possible and especially when Corben was enduring some of his times in hospital; the other three boys are all at school and doing well. Corben still has some medical issues but is “doing OK”!
Angie and Luke’s business, Kuluin Mufflers, has grown and built an export business and then a year ago, purchased their nearest competitor which suddenly saw their staff grow from 4 to 13 over two workshops that are only 3 minutes apart. Angie shared some of the experiences with staff and how she is able to guide their attitudes … reminding one young man he should get back to work because this was his second lunch break!
The growth in the business has meant that Angie has also been able to become Founder and Charity Director of their charity called “Driven by KM” which quietly supports families who have gone down the same roads as they have …. Children with medical issues; children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. Driven by KM has paid medical bills or school fees to help make sure that families in need can survive financially while caring for kids who require special attention.