The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
The biggest breakthrough for me was recognising the gap in support and the need for individualised care for mums with young families. This is where Nurturing Well can make a difference. Knowledgeable expertise providing individualised care, ongoing support and in referral options as needed.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
I love the concept of Yin and Yang, the seemingly opposite or contrary forces complementing each other with interconnectedness and interdependence. This balance is so evidently true for working mums. In my business and home life, I feel I can embrace both the Yin (nurturing) and Yang (energy). I love working with families and this love translates into passion and energy for my family. Having my base at home allows me to be available for my family when needed. This flexibility has been especially important during the pandemic in supporting my last school age child during the virtual schooling periods.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Marketing the business and getting started with the promotional aspects like the website has been a new challenge. My family have been very skilful, knowledgeable, and supportive and I am very grateful. I am now listed on the Consultants of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ) Find a Lactation Consultant on the LCANZ website, which is linked to the Australian Breastfeeding Association and the GP Health Directory. Writing posts and blogs and boosting them is all new to me but I enjoy a challenge and am happy to have a go.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
Running your own business is very liberating after working in public health. Making my own decisions, not having so many meetings, focusing on what I want to focus on is great, but I do miss my colleagues. We used to encourage each other to go for a walk at lunch time and chat and I miss that now. I still walk in the morning, but it is good to have others motivating you and it is very quiet. Part of the appeal for the lunch time walk was an opportunity to debrief with your colleagues. Accessing regular Reflective Clinical Supervision (RSC) is very important for clinicians and it was always part of my routine both formally and informally at lunch time in Community Health. In my private practice I have sought RCS through Australian Clinical Supervision Association (ACSA). It has helped me both clinically in my work with mums and also operates like a coaching session. I strongly advise my colleagues to access this valuable service.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I hope that by this time next year the pandemic will be no longer and we will have a vaccine to protect us. I hope I will be offering my service to a lot more expectant mums, providing them with knowledge and skills to equip them for the challenges that lay ahead. I may be doing myself out of a job but I really believe that all mums have the ability to be natural parents and nurture well.
To find out more about the wonderful services Trish offers, head to the Nurturing Well website. You can also join Trish’s supportive communities on Facebook and Instagram.
