The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
There have been a few, both personally and in business.
On a personal level, in 2017, I lost my husband of 18 years in a motor vehicle accident. In 2020, I lost my 21-year-old son in a motor vehicle accident. In 2022, I lost my husband of 10 months in a diving accident. As if that wasn’t enough, in 2023, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer. So, there have been a few challenges there.
On a business level, finding a manufacturer to create new clothing lines for our label was a challenge and we took a long time to find one that we felt provided a quality product to represent us, and that we believe our customers will love. Getting our name out there is definitely one of the biggest challenges, especially when competing with the big and busy department stores.
Another challenge is that our products are sold online rather than in a store at the moment. It is very hard to judge how nicely our clothing fits and feels from a picture on the screen, and definitely a challenge to determine how our lotions and candles smell through a computer screen. I have managed to get our lotions and candles into a few local stores but am always on the look out for any shop owner/business around the country that is prepared to allow us a little corner of their shop to showcase our products.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
There are both pros and cons of running your own business.
Cons:
- It is very time-consuming – but good thing we love what we do!
- It takes time to build recognition and requires a lot of marketing.
- Startup and marketing costs can be significant, especially during economic downturns. I don’t have these two businesses with a plan to be a millionaire; I’m very much realistic and grounded in that sense – breaking even and getting the bills paid will do me.
- Dealing with scam emails and messages daily is frustrating – fake marketing promises (to increase my sales by 300%), phishing attempts and more. All of it time-consuming and frustrating and very unnecessary.
Pros:
- An overwhelming sense of pride in growing something meaningful and bringing joy to others. The two businesses are my babies.
- Meeting interesting people at markets and fairs across the country.
- Receiving heartfelt feedback from happy customers – those messages always bring warm fuzzies!
- Staying busy, focused and out of trouble!
Hopes and dreams: What next?
What next? The goal is to get Mama2Be and Twin Scent known across New Zealand and, eventually, explore international markets – starting with Australia.
I would love to build both brands into something my children and grandchildren will be proud to continue long after I’m gone.
We’ll be at the Feilding Craft Market in June – come say hello! We’re also eager to expand our reach into more retail stores – seeing our line of clothing and our range of body lotions and scented candles in shops around the country.
Find Mama2Be and Twin Scent online:
🌐 Mama2Be | Twin Scent
📘 Facebook – Mama2Be | Facebook – Twin Scent
📷 Instagram – Mama2Be | Instagram – Twin Scent
