The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Our biggest challenge is people’s expectations which are driven by certainties or absolutes which you just don’t get when working with mother nature. Often people want to know “how long will it last?” after an application of steam to kill their weeds. So many factors are at play here: season, rainfall, humidity, and what type of weeds you are cultivating. The general rule of thumb is two initial steams in a 6 to 8-week time frame and then every two to three months after that. Although it really can vary.
One avid eco warrior whose driveway we maintain seems to be growing the most vigorous and robust weeds and we are there every 6 to 8 weeks, while another lady on the other side of town has had two steams to our eco friend’s 8! For some people this just doesn’t work and they prefer the certainty of roundup – we can’t be everything to everyone and are learning to happily settle into our own little niche providing an alternative to chemicals for those who want it.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The joy of running your own business is really dancing to the beat of your own drum and being able to manage enquiries and bookings while cooking dinner or in the car after dropping the kids at daycare. Making work mould around the other things you need or want to do is a blessing and a curse and I often have to work at not letting things overwhelm me with that ‘monkey on your back’ feeling.
I’ve learned to stop telling myself I’ll do things in the evening as it just doesn’t happen, as I’m spent by the end of the day. What I can’t get done in the day can keep till tomorrow, the sky is not going to fall in! I realise this really goes against so much of what you read about dynamic, successful people who get up at 4am and have organised, well-oiled lives. But I find when I try and live up to these ideals, I always fall short and end up beating myself up which is ultimately de-motivating and no good for anyone!
Hopes and dreams: What next?
To enjoy our life, build the business around our family and gain more regular clients; they really are the backbone to the whole thing and are so supportive and a real pleasure to work with. The more we grow and learn about the principles of eco dynamics, the more we understand the damage chemicals do and we are proud to be offering an alternative.
Head to the Completely Steaming website to find out more, and follow their journey on Facebook and Instagram.
