Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
At the moment, while Moosey Moose is small and growing, it has been a joy to balance having this small business while taking care of my son. I am very lucky to live in a slow paced town like Byron Bay. My husband was born and raised in Byron and it was such a blessing to move here 5 years ago. The pace of the town has fuelled my desire for balance and allowed me to really ease into “entrepreneurial” mum life. My husband and I both work from home, which allows for a great share in responsibilities and as an added bonus, he is a fabulous cook and great hands-on dad. Without him, I am sure the balance would be more of a chaotic mess. There are certainly days where it doesn’t go to plan, but if motherhood has taught me anything, it is to go with the flow in both parenting and business.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
I would say my biggest challenge has been wearing all the hats required while starting and running a small business. I started this journey with a lot of passion but a lack of confidence in my abilities to achieve my goals. Every aspect of starting the business and diving into the fashion industry felt so foreign to me. With each hurdle being jumped, I gained more and more confidence and momentum to believe in myself and enjoy not knowing everything. Another challenge was finding the right manufacturing partners in Australia. After many trials, we are so grateful to now work with a family-run business and support our local economy.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
Founding your own small business is unlike any other job you may take on. It’s a pathway to a totally different lifestyle. With this change, I have certainly discovered the pros and cons but am sure the pros always outweighs the cons.
The pros are being able to work from home, being with my son full time, living my passion, flexible work-life balance, making a mark on the community and changing the industry one small step at a time, and growing my tool kit of knowledge and experience in such a broad and multifaceted way.
The cons are having to have loads of self-motivation, being responsible for everything, and lastly, missing co-workers and face-to-face relationships.
Working at home flexibly has so many pros but I do miss the fun and energy that comes from being in an office.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
Moosey Moose is still such a baby, but we are planning some very exciting new launches for 2021 and 2022. Expect to see more styles that grow, new colour ways of The Grow Romper and our products stocked in amazing like-minded retail locations across Australia and hopefully internationally (no pressure!)
Head to the Moosey Moose website to check out their clothing range. You can also join their communities on Facebook and Instagram.
