The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
October 2018, I broke my ankle very seriously and this laid me up for 4 months on the couch – not a happy camper, as I l like to be an industrious and busy person. I took this as an opportunity to think marketing and reading everything I could get my hands on about KawaKawa and aligning myself with producing further plastic-free products. I worked with a very sore ankle dragging my stuff from the car to setups in markets and being very, very tired at the end of a long day. We live somewhat remote so it’s hours of driving each way to the city of New Plymouth. In September 2019, I knew I needed a reset and went off to live in Spain for 2 months on my own. Again, I searched myself, walked in the mountains, swam and did yoga almost every day. It was so wonderful to be able to give myself this time and I grew very much.
Nowadays, I feel challenged by so many people attempting to make similar products and try to sell them at exorbitant prices. I understand that more people see the need to make these changes to natural, plastic-free products but I DO NOT understand why they need to ask so much money for them. I continue to sell my products for the same price I did 4 years ago, because I can. I am not greedy and I believe everyone, EVERYONE should be able to afford beautiful, natural products.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
That is an interesting question. Initially, I set out buying small quantities of materials often with the grocery shopping money, lol. So cashflow was a consideration to start with, but as soon as I could stand on my own two feet, I told my husband, that is it I am off on my own now, and never looked back as far as cashflow goes. The ingredients are always being purchased I have had some awesome suppliers and it has always been COD.
When I first started, I was working as a Community Health Carer approximately 40 – 60 hours a week so I was very time poor, but I so so believed in what I was doing, and I worked hard.
My husband has been supportive for which I am grateful. Often, our kitchen table is covered in packaging and outgoing orders. My standards of housekeeping have suffered but Chris has picked up some much of the slack – I am truly blessed. Chris works school terms so I can take the time with him come school holidays, so my business is flexible in the that regard.
Also, when I went to live in Spain, I left KawaKawa Kottage Krafts in the safe hands of Mandy @All Good Bags. I left a large amount of stock with Mandy, and I redirected orders to her from Spain. Technology enabling once again.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I hope that through my work that #togetherwemakeadifference on this #waronplastic and I leave behind a cleaner planet for my children, their children, and all sentient beings and that the health of all those I have helped continues to improve as has mine after four years of avoiding chemicals through what I choose to place upon my body.
I dream that one day I can hand my knowledge and recipes to a person that is like minded who will continue the KawaKawa Kottage Krafts ethos into the future.
What next? Lol, back to work. I have lots of production waiting in my studio: #kawakawa #kawakawabalm #kawakawamagnesiumwhip #kawakawavaporrub and much more.
To find out more and to shop their range of natural products, visit the Kawakawa Kottage Krafts website. You can also join their communities on Facebook and Instagram.
