Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
I find that by involving my family and friends in the business, it assists greatly in bringing a sense of balance. My 13-year-old daughter Zarlah Pixie-Rose is the curator of Crystals warriors by Zizou, which she began due to my little boy’s love of all things crystals. She, along with my other children including my sons partner, my husband and family and friends bring to the table all of our different personalities and inspirations allowing beautiful ideas to arise for our bundles or business. I could not have created this workspace or beautiful online shop without their help and experience so thank you to Benjamin, Amanda, Sylvie, Lisa and Lou.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
I have to say that a big bonus of running your own business is that you really do feel like a child with unlimited possibilities awaiting you. In terms of a business sense, I’m able to get in touch with my imagination, my inner child and my creativity and share it, validate it and nurture it and this has made me learn to trust myself and love my self more and more each day.
As a mother and wife, I can balance this, taking out that sense of a juggling act. No more do I feel part of the occasional circus act but I feel that I’m just chilling more and giving more of my genuine self and time to my husband, kids and 3 dogs. (My dogs love having me at home all day long).
In terms of cons, I have to say social media and photos and managing my anxieties. I’m one of those people that hides behind a camera. You will very rarely see me in front of one and the proof is in my wedding pics (they are just not right!). Ask me to smile and I’m like the emoji in that movie that goes all weird. So, mix that with my heightened anxiety and let’s say lack of good makeup technique and I am a walking or shall I say photo mess. So yes, this is a problem that I’m working on.
It is important to have a media presence when you have a business in this day and age, but at the moment, it still does stir a lot of anxiety and I’m sure if you are a fellow person that experience anxiety, you may understand the battle of overcoming personal triggers. So, in saying that, you may hear my words often as I love to talk but my face may be harder to spot. I usually show pictures of my family and friends including their adorable children instead.
Another challenge I find is maintaining focus and drive and not encouraging self-doubt to surface. A way that I find helps is to ensure my working space is an enchanting and relaxing space with all my little trinkets and positive affirmations.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
Having a background in beauty, massage and natural therapy, I would like to build and expand the beauty and aromatherapy side of our store to include an organic skincare and makeup range. Also, I’d like to be able to offer online consultation to better assist clients with the right skincare for their skin type or concerns. I am excited see our range at Eco Products 4 You grow in terms of clothing, toys and bedding and our health and lifestyle side, including our crystal and mindfulness range for adults and children.
Visit the Eco Products 4 You website to find out more and to view their range of products. You can also follow their journey on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
