Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
I wish I could say I was balancing work and family with grace and ease, but in all honesty I’m a hot mess most days. If I ever find myself feeling a little bit smug and thinking I’ve got things under control, I’m very quickly humbled by a toddler tantrum, a poonami, or a bowl of purée being emptied into my lap. If it wasn’t for quality childcare, I wouldn’t be able to even attempt to balance work and family. Oliver has a part-time nanny, and he has also started at family daycare this year so that I can continue to work on growing my business. It’s been so wonderful to see Oliver’s confidence skyrocket as he learns new skills, and it’s all thanks to his wonderful carers.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Running a retail business is new territory for me, and there’s been a steep learning curve (or two, or three, or 54,987). From packing orders to managing cash flow, keeping track of inventory and running digital marketing campaigns, I have to wear a lot of hats in order to effectively manage every facet of the business.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
Being my own boss and running my own business leaves me feeling fulfilled and gives me a real sense of purpose and achievement. On the other hand, the buck stops with me and everything is on my shoulders – which means the pressure is on. Also, it can be tricky to switch off in the evenings when I hear my Shopify app pinging to let me know new orders are coming in!
Hopes and dreams: What next?
Depending on momentum in 2021, I’m hoping to rent a larger office and hire staff for order fulfilment and customer relations. I’ll also be revamping our digital marketing and social media efforts. I’m also keen to work with an organisation like the Gidget Foundation to help raise awareness of perinatal mental health.
See their full range of beautiful products on the Billie & Byron website. You can also follow their journey on Facebook and Instagram.
