The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Finding a way to connect an online business with people is an ongoing challenge. Hopefully people are becoming more trusting of online shopping and I just have to continue to build trust. I also found that it was hard for people to understand that an online business is actually a local business – it just doesn’t have a shop front. Logistics are harder with online business, and I am lucky to have a great rural postie who is also a small local business contracted to NZ Post. Being rural, I can’t offer overnight delivery, so instead I don’t charge for shipping.
Personally, we battled infertility for many years and trying to keep motivated with a positive business outlook was a real struggle, while battling depression and anxiety from infertility. Eventually, I conceived through IVF and one of our frozen embryo transfers. Miscarriage during infertility was also very hard, but felt a little more normal because 1 in every 4 pregnancies ends up in miscarriage. The secrecy surrounding early pregnancy is something I wish was not the way that it is.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
Flexibility to try and balance work and family life is the biggest pro. I also absolutely love being able to work as hard as I want for my clients, and connecting with them on a very personal level – similarly to being a pharmacist, but without corporate targets and performance reviews.
Financial insecurity is the biggest con. You are not on a salary or weekly wage and totally rely on profit. “Don’t quit your day job” is very important if you are going to try and be a ‘mumtrepreneur’. It might be maternity leave, or working out finances with your partner before you get pregnant, with a buffer for hard times, like Covid-19.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I hope to connect with more people and find a way to spread the word, and still keep the Discreet branding. It is my dream to be a part of every New Zealand woman’s birth recovery journey.
Visit the Discreet Delicates website to find out more and to view their range of products. You can also follow their journey on Facebook and Instagram.
