Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Finding this balance is still a work in progress! I do my best to work when my son is asleep (thankfully he still has a long afternoon nap each day!). It can be really tempting to work late at night (especially since I’m a one-man-band), but I have found that when I invest in downtime in the evening, it helps refresh me for a more productive day tomorrow.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
A challenge I have overcome is mustering up the courage to launch a business “on my own”! There have been times where self-doubt has crept in. Putting yourself and your creativity out there can be scary. I just keep coming back to the “why” behind this venture: creating a cosy childhood for my son (and other little ones with our organic clothing collection).
My second biggest challenge is creating awareness of Cosy Boutique. The digital age can create the illusion that it’s easy to spread the word about your brand. But there is so much “noise” competing for our attention. I am excited to grow a community of likeminded mums: who share the same love of organic (and affordable) childrenswear.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
I love the freedom that comes with running your own business. To be able to work from home and be a stay-at-home mum is a dream come true.
Building a brand and creating a product that I truly believe in is a driving force of its own. And while wearing so many hats can be exhausting at times, it can be a lot of fun too (never a dull day) and a great opportunity to grow as a person.
Entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey at times, but I have a supportive family and am looking forward to collaborating with other mums and small business owners in 2024 who have a shared passion for shopping local and organic.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
My hopes and dreams for the future are to:
Grow my collection – I love working with different colour palettes and fabric profiles to tell a story. I will always aim to offer a collection of everyday essentials alongside seasonal releases.
Grow my family – baby #2 is a project for 2024. We have had challenges with conceiving. Having another little in-house model for Cosy Boutique would be great too haha
Grow the love – I have big hopes for Cosy Boutique. I would love to see it expand and evolve into a social enterprise where all proceeds go to a worthy cause such as providing clothing for children in need. One day!
Visit the Cosy Boutique website to find out more, and join their communities on Facebook and Instagram.
