Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Boundaries. It’s such an overused word but they have really helped me this year to not drown in complete overwhelm. I work full time, so starting a business while working and also studying has been tough on my balance. I try and not do any study or Mumma’s Beans business while my little one is awake and not at daycare, or on the weekends. I also have two step-kids that we only see every other weekend, so the time together is extra precious, and I just want to be present for that. But they are super supportive and love to get involved sometimes as well – the big kids help with taking or touching up photos, and my little one might draw a picture to add a personal touch for a customer. I find having clear boundaries also helps me prioritise better and I actually get more done.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
The biggest challenge has probably been my own ambition to do everything at the same time and right now. Having had such a jump start, I was feeling burnt out pretty quickly trying to manage it all, especially since I launched during an already busy time before Christmas. Although I don’t do or believe in New Year’s resolutions, I actually sat down and promised to give myself permission to not do all the things this year. To stick to my priorities, which were family first, ocean, nature in general and friends. I also wanted to finish my course before really focusing on my business. So, things have taken longer than I would normally be comfortable with, but I’m okay with that. I just handed in my last assignment and have mostly kept my sanity during the last 10 weeks of lockdown – so I think I’m going pretty well.
The challenge is ongoing though because I’m not a very patient person, but my family keeps me in check when I’m getting carried away with ideas or stressed because things don’t happen straight away, and they remind me of what is really important (them) in a not very subtle way.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
I never thought I would run my own business, and I certainly didn’t expect I would love it so much. I love how as a small start-up, I’m able to build a connection with a lot of customers and can get feedback firsthand how my coffee is making a difference in their lives – it’s seriously the best feeling. The other thing is that I’ve met so many other inspiring women, mums and business owners, that I wish I had embarked on this journey much sooner. I also love that I can really bring my all to this business and I don’t have to compromise my values for anyone.
What I didn’t realise before starting my own business is how isolating it can feel. I’ve been building a bit of a network with other women in business locally and online and it definitely helps. In my corporate job, there’s always someone to bounce ideas off, give you feedback or just have a laugh at something. When you’re starting out with your own business, it’s just you. Again, I see so many parallels to becoming a new mum. Even if you have a supportive family and friends around you, it can still feel lonely sometimes – I didn’t expect that.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I’ve always been interested in what drives people and, more recently, what drives a business that I’m looking to buy from. I really hope that with Mumma’s Beans I can contribute, even if just in a very small way, to make this world a better place. For our children and the generations to come. I just launched refillable glass jars for my coffee for local subscription customers, and I’m hoping I can offer more sustainable packaging for all my customers soon. I have also made connections with a local charity group that is close to my heart and that I will start to support, as they are empowering and supporting women locally that need it the most. The launch has been a delayed due to the current lockdowns but hopefully it’s not too much longer now.
My dream is that Mumma’s Beans will be known not only for its delicious coffee but for encouraging mums to feel more confident and less guilty about enjoying what they love and what is important to them, in a conscious way.
I also have a new Mumma’s Beans product in testing with family, friends and few loyal customers at the moment that I’m hoping to launch in October, together with my new website, so that’s really exciting, too. There’s no shortage of ideas. But – one at a time. There’s life to be enjoyed, little ones that are growing up too fast, and a (hopefully) lockdown-free summer just around the corner.
Visit the Mumma’s Beans website to find out more and to get your coffee fix. You can also follow their journey on Facebook and Instagram.
