Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Callum and I just make it work. He is also self employed but he is an amazing hands-on dad. I work when he isn’t and if the boys dont need me.
Being a mum of 3 little boys and a business owner, I’m not sure there is such a thing as balance.
I find it’s really important to always revisit your why and journal each night to help the brain try and switch off. I always aim to keep Sundays free as a family day. I work a lot of Saturdays and late nights so I am more present for my kids during the day – lucky I’m a night owl. Our youngest has a few extra activities and appointments each week so he is always keeping me busy. He is starting 2 days a week at kindy soon, now that he is 3, and I’m excited and nervous for us to have some time apart.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Building strong business relationships has been so important. Being self employed can be lonely, especially after being a full-time hairdresser for so long. Just like when having children, you need a tribe when it comes to having a business. I love having other mumtreprenures in my world that I can bounce ideas off, share successes and lessons learnt. Most of all, all supporting and backing each other when there are challenging times.
Being part of Alison Callan’s Concious Creation accelerator group has definitely been so beneficial. Having her support me and teach me so much has been worth its weight in gold.
Learning from my mistakes, moving forward and living in the now has been really beneficial to my mental health and a huge step for me.
Another big breakthrough is that it is better just to share your work even if you don’t think it’s perfect; things can always be tweaked over time.
Covid has definitely made everything much more challenging but you just have to do the best you can in times like these.
Self doubt/imposter syndrome and mental health have always been a struggle in my life, but having a supportive network that I can reach out to really helps change the way I’m thinking and move on. It’s important to be in tune with your body, knowing when to take some time out and being kind to yourself.
Technology and I have not been the best of friends but I have taken some time to research and teach myself to get my head around a lot of new things. I now have a lot more confidence and am always learning new tricks.
Stock levels have been a bit of a tough one, especially things with best before dates. I had a bit of a panic over Covid lockdown and over ordered a lot. So I have definitely learnt to calm down, be more realistic on how much stock I need and put limits on things.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
Time is both a pro and a con. I have somewhat of a choice how I spend my time….I just wish there was more of it!
Being your own boss is the best. I couldn’t imagine it any other way, but sometimes the decision-making can be a tough one.
Paperwork is not my thing and something I plan to outsource to a VA.
Having your own business is definitely hard to switch off from but that is where journaling helps.
You get to meet and build relationships with some really amazing people and New Zealand has so many talented creatives and entrepreneurs.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I am definitely expanding my range. Those wheels are already in motion. I also plan more products for the men.
I still absolutely love everything hair related so there is going to be a Boxylox hair accessories range being launched as well as adding more hair care to my range.
I love fundraising so I am currently working on a few ideas for charities and organisations that are close to my heart, especially for our Down syndrome community.
It would also be great to start a subscription box or 2 and get into the world of corporate gifting. There are many tabs open in this mum brain and there is a lot more to come!!
Visit the Boxylox website to find out more, and join their communities on Instagram and Facebook.
