Motherhood By Design is a carefully created online space for mums and mums-to-be looking for ways to optimise their health for them and their baby. Founder Amanda Skoczek wanted to provide support for those feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, by way of information, connection and inspiration on their motherhood journey. She was inspired to create this space to help women better understand and embrace their unique mothering design and free themselves from the ever present confusion, judgement and comparisons that mothers deal with every day.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
I was inspired to start my business after having 2 completely different journeys into motherhood. The pregnancy, labour, birth and beyond experience was a complete game changer of life.
Seeing what masks mothers (including myself) wear to get through the day; hearing similar stories with the confusion of information and support; and feeling lonely, not good enough and comparing with others ripping down my mental health and affecting my ability to accept and share my unique mothering qualities, were all factors that led me to want to make a change.
Having specific strategies in nutrition, exercise, mindset, and a support network have shown they can really improve health and wellness, mental health and recovery for mums.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I did my launch during COVID-19. As much as I wanted a big launch party, I didn’t want to wait. I was excited and wanted to launch the website and work out the live tweaks and issues. I started to gradually share bits and pieces along the way.
Before this, I was a stay-at-home mum doing bits and pieces on the side. I tried to go back to work multiple times, however found it too challenging to juggle the responsibilities. I was grateful that my husband supported me in my choice.
I have been in the health and fitness industry for over 15 years, gaining knowledge through many roles: Personal Trainer, Nutritionist, Yoga Teacher, Dance Teacher, Holistic Coach for Mothers. I have combined all my professional experience, personal development and networks to create Motherhood By Design.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
A big breakthrough was integrating the “Unique Mothering Style” quiz.
I came up with this idea from my own personal experience of not feeling like I fit in, into the typical “mother”, nurturing mould. Asking all the “why” questions and “what’s wrong with me?”, “how can I fix this and change?”. I spent a long time researching the 8 best animal archetypes in which I saw in myself and around me. I felt animals were a good representation that we could relate to easily, with not only characteristics, but their spiritual meanings as well. I had my research checked with my mentor and psychologist, before launching the first attempt quiz into the public at the Sunshine Coast, Qld. Now reaching over 100 quiz takers, it has been redesigned and evaluated for improved results.
