Bellelis: Home of the Snap & Extend Baby Bodysuit Extender

Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?

I am still figuring this out. I am a mum to two amazing girls (one almost 11 years old and our second under two), so my business is still a side kick project. My startup business needs a lot of time and commitment so I am doing my best to balance my time between the two. It is a learning process and sometimes I get the balance right and sometimes I don’t. This is something I believe we all work on from time to time and is forever changing, but with the love and support from my family it can be achieved.

I think that balance between work and family is one of the bigger challenges small business owners (especially mums) are facing.

The Drive: What challenges have you overcome?

My biggest challenge is overcoming my own fears and doubts, and learning how to believe in myself more. Starting Bellelis has taken me completely out of my comfort zone. It can be quite challenging to get out there with your idea, you feel vulnerable and unsure.

At this stage negative comments can be very difficult but I am constantly learning how to improve my product and procedures to reduce them. I have been very lucky with the amazing support from my husband and my friends, especially throughout the first few months. My first customers were so positive and excited about the product which helped drive my business forward and gave me the confidence to deal with any challenges which arose.

The biggest challenge was overcoming my own fears and doubts, and learning how to believe in myself more.

Another big challenge for me is that English is not my first language. I moved to Australia just few years ago with my family, so now I am running Bellelis in another language. As a small business I need to keep up on social media, my website, emails, phone calls, etc, you name it – all in English.Luckily it is a challenge which is always improving as I am now practicing my English skills constantly through the running of the business.

For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?

I absolutely love every aspect of running my own business. I can do everything the way I want and I am the one making all the decisions. I can be creative and try new things, new designs, look for new stock and planning where the business will go.

I have never worked harder in my life and as an owner of a small business I have to wear all the hats at the same time. Trying to squeeze everything into limited time can be quite a challenge, but it is worth it.

I would not change it for anything. Finding my passion and making it into a business, that is a dream come true.