Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
This is really a 3-part question, because I have work, family and I was studying full time when I started up. I don’t actually have kids of my own, which I think makes it a lot easier to balance work and everything else, because there is nobody that needs me all the time. So, the answer to this could change dramatically in the next few months. At the moment, I am living with my partner in Blenheim. He loves outdoor activities (so do I) but when I need to work, he hangs out with his friends. So, I think having our own space is great, but he is also really proud of what I am doing which makes me feel so grateful. It was also his old sewing machine I started with, so he claims high stakes in the business.
When I moved into his house, I turned a spare room into my wardrobe and sewing room. That way I could create a line between work and leisure. It was perfect really because living in a flat with boys I would have gone a bit crazy. I think that starting this business before I start my own family means I have a lot more freedom to work out how I want to run it before I have my own children.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
I think the biggest challenge was starting while I was still studying full time. That meant I had to be really aware of time management in making my products, being active on my blog, taking orders as well as studying. Overcoming this means that my time management is great and now my productivity is through the roof in all areas.
Then there is that dreaded financial risk, starting a new business, especially coming into it with no business experience. Being a student, I didn’t really have any money anyway, so just started off really small, then put more into it as I went along. I think after I got my website up and running, that was a turning point. I knew I could make this successful so I just put as much time in as I could to make it all worth it. The payoff has been amazing, mostly for the brand and my confidence but also financially. I am so glad I took the risk.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
I love that it’s mine, I created it and it’s my name behind all the products. That was huge for me; also, the support I got when I decided to create it was incredible! I have always been the kind of person that loves a compliment, but also love doing things that make others feel good. So, this was a win win really – people like what I am making and I feel proud to have created something for them they treasure.
I love creating everything on my terms, from the blog to online content to the products. Not having to go through someone else for approval is so good. The working from home part is also amazing – big shout out to my own coffee maker (machine and boyfriend). Most of my online/admin work is done listening to Celine Dion snuggled up with a cuppa. I can even do it in my pyjamas which is also a huge benefit.
A downside I guess would be that it really is all on me, and I can’t hand anything over when the rest of my life gets busy. But I think the silver lining of that is that my time management and productivity increases tenfold. I spend so much less time just sitting watching Netflix or scrolling, because I know there is always something I could be doing. So, I guess that’s only a downside NOW, because it’s new. I mean it’s a huge change from zero to running your own business.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I just want to keep growing and expanding. Whether that is just more products and a bigger audience, or actually hiring other people to work for me. Either way I’m really excited for what the future holds.
Long term, I would love this to be something I can do full time while raising a family. Being a mum has been something I have always, always known I want to do young (I am 24), so if I can build a brand that supports me when I’m raising my children, that would be amazing
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