Alexandra Campbell is a painter and illustrator, based in the Yarra Ranges in Victoria, Australia. She combines art and wellness and demonstrates the simplicity of incorporating it into our daily lives. Here she talks about how she came to start her business and her dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
I have struggled with jobs and work a lot of my working life in various ways. I am 33 now and was 30 at the time I got the confidence to finally go for it.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I have always been an artist and decided at 30 that I needed to strengthen my skills and learn about how to run a business to sell my work. My maternity leave ended when my son was 9 months and I had the passion to set up my business when he was 13 months old. I researched and found some business mentoring via The Princes Trust in the UK, where we lived at the time, which I highly recommend if you’re still under 30!
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
Learning to trust myself and remembering that I started this business for the purpose of showcasing my skills and sharing my passions with the world. Then when I was 31 I received my Asperger’s diagnosis, which actually helped give me more courage and confidence to be able to use my art to communicate with. It all eventually ties in together!
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
I learnt through a period of burnout that I was pushing myself too hard needlessly. I put on the breaks and realised that I work better when I stop being so hard on myself, which in turn makes me a happier mum and partner. I realised I needed to approach a mentor and business coach to help with professional aspects and that way I have all the business resources to help me stop stressing. I make sure I have eaten enough and feel clean enough! I have learnt to prioritise differently.
