The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
I think that very first referral to me was another defining breakthrough moment.
It’s all well and good believing in myself and my business but having people championing me, like Jennifer had, still feels monumental. So, it was a real milestone for me to be able to help that first referral with their KiwiSaver investments and build a plan that excited them, so much so that the referrals just kept coming.
Joining several woman’s business and networking groups, along with getting a business coach, really helped me get the word out on my passion of building Kiwis education on retirement. Sharing stories of success over and over again with other passionate and savvy business women and seeing them then believe in me enough to join me as a client whilst referring me to people they know makes me so grateful.
All of this support helps me to build Retirement Taylor Made, whilst supporting the organisations and charities I am so passionate about and I have been able to do all this within my first year of business.
I feel like that original investment from Jennifer was such a long time ago now, but it has only been 11 months, and to top it all off, a mere 11 months into this journey and I was named the top Advisor within in my region for Booster for my 11th month in business. Another sign and another achievement!
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
I’ve come across a new phrase in lockdown that I really resonate with and it’s called ‘integrated’.
Balance was what I was trying to achieve working for someone else and I never really felt ‘balanced’.
Integrated feels a more achievable approach to have when running my own business and wearing all the hats as a mum, business owner, wife, friend etc. Nothing is ever in equal portions, and there’s never a perfect or balanced combination; what works one week or day won’t the next.
So, I no longer balance, I integrate, and that reminds me every day that I am blessed with the choices I have made and all of those led me right here.
Plus, I do like the fact I can be present when the girls need me to be, and I can legitimately call it networking, because when you love what you do and believe in it, the opportunities to converse come wherever I may be, from networking events to gymnastics!
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Three of the biggest challenges I have faced are:
- Mindset
- Judgement
- Being underestimated!
These three aspects are so intertwined, but I have learnt so much about myself in the process.
- Mindset
Modifying my own expectations! I feel it’s safe to say I have high standards and am ambitious so I must remember to constantly remind myself that I don’t have to have all the answers immediately.
There is always the internal struggle, the niggle of having the faith that I can ‘do it all’, be a good mum/wife, be present with kids, build a business, and be satisfied that I have ticked every burning desire off of the list every night. To manage my state and make sure I mitigate burnout every single day I adjust my expectations with where my priorities are today and remember to integrate. It’s not a short-term win, it’s a long game so pacing myself is everything.
- Judgement
I have often faced blatant judgement from people in positions of power when I have been seeking advice and establishing my business, mission and vision. At first it was a shock and I couldn’t help but take it personally until I realised the judgement wasn’t a reflection of me. Rather a misunderstanding of my business model and as a result, an even greater sign of the need for me to be speaking up to educate, support and guide Kiwis into better retirement schemes.
- Being underestimated.
Thanks to the experiences of judgement and the lessons I have learnt through adapting my mindset, I am ok with being underestimated in my pursuits. Because not a day goes by where I don’t have that post-it reminding me of my vow and promise to my first client to take care of her retirement.
Like most parents, I want my daughters to be independent, to be able to buy their first home and to have a fantastic retirement. Every New Zealander, regardless of their age and stage, deserves to access quality advice. We all should be in the driving seat of our own retirement. We all deserve a Retirement Taylor made!
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
Time – there is still only 24 hours in a day!
On the plus side, I have ownership of my time; it’s a choice of allocation and I have freedom over how I choose to spend my day. Conversely, when you work for yourself, there are no perks like the KiwiSaver contributions, sick leave, holiday pay or the regular office drinks and social wind down on a Friday afternoon.
So sometimes, I choose to go for a swim. To take a moment to remind myself this is a long-term business I am building that is bigger than me. I take a breath and remind myself of the legacy I am creating and of the role model I want to be for my daughters.
It’s a gradual process to build a business, and despite the challenges and learning curves, it has been a joy. Mostly because of the support circles and networks I have found, and my continued love of swimming!
Hopes and dreams: What next?
My mission continues, that I will be the well-known voice in NZ for KiwiSaver. To provide education and advice from a mum’s perspective for a Retirement that’s ‘Taylor Made’ for you and your kids, and provides you with a financially-secure future.
To smash every glass ceiling that has been put on me by ‘judgers’, and show my girls how creating a career with purpose, passion and effort provides rewards in abundance of joy and a wonderfully comfortable quality of life.
To cultivate a business based on referrals from happy clients, as well as keep those seeds of belief from those first clients and keep those first investments growing.
Head to the Retirement Taylor Made website to find out more, and join their supportive Facebook community.
