Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
As an incredibly driven person (who used to identify as a perfectionist!) this is a big one. A quote that has really helped me is: “you can do anything, but not everything.” When I returned to master’s-level university this year, getting someone to help me manage household, business and study has been absolutely essential. We have a cleaner once a fortnight to help keep on top of the housekeeping and my amazing ‘Team Playful’ (comprised of mothers) help me keep up with the demands of my business so I am able to do what I love: support families and study. It’s definitely not ‘perfect’ but it works for us!
The best thing about my work and research is that it directly supports my family. Everything that I learn directly supports my children and helps me support them!
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Starting an online business in a tiny, remote town with soaring summer temperatures (42+ degrees!) with four young children aged between 2 and 7 has been my greatest challenge. When we moved to the Pilbara in 2016, we left our support network, both friends and family, back in Perth, WA. Networking opportunities with people who get the world of service-based online business have also been very limited up here!
As an extremely ambitious and passionate woman, I overcame this hurdle by joining a small group of powerhouse Australian female entrepreneurs. Joining this group has been the best thing I’ve done! Having a network of people who are as equally driven as me to make the world a better place has been a game changer.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
As a highly creative person in love with learning, running my own business is such a gift. I love the fact that I can live my passion, giving my heart, soul and mind to a purpose that is both bigger than me and so close to my heart at the same time, that fits in perfectly with our family life and our values. I learn new things every single day! I love how flexible it is and that I am able to be there to pick up and drop off my four children and help thousands of parents at the same time. I work with the most incredible women – helping them truly sets my soul on fire.
On the flip side, working online from home can be lonely and is totally different to the world I’d come from (education and developmental psychology). There’s always something new to learn, new technology and systems to master and learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable is one of the biggest lessons I have learnt! Surrounding myself with other online business owners and cultivating a growth mindset has been absolutely ESSENTIAL when running my own business.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
My curious and insatiable appetite for learning means I’m always going to be studying! I’m on my way to getting my Masters in Play Therapy with ambitions to get my doctorate (PhD) using the work I have done with families.
I have enormous ambitions to open some centres, have a TED talk, write another book, facilitate in-person retreats and conferences… watch this space!
Visit the Playful Families website to find out more and follow their journey on Instagram.
