The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Building our brand and expanding its presence in both our local community and beyond has been a challenging journey. One of the obstacles we faced was establishing brand awareness and recognition, especially considering our limited resources and working hours. We had to strategise innovative ways to reach our target audience, leveraging social media, networking events, and community partnerships (like markets and invites to community events) to make our brand known.
As we were gradually gaining momentum, Cyclone Gabrielle struck, throwing us into a new challenge altogether. Being part of the Civil Defence Team, we had to prioritise community safety and recovery efforts during the cyclone’s aftermath, which temporarily shifted our focus away from the business. Despite this setback, we rallied together and emerged stronger, learning to adapt swiftly to unforeseen circumstances.
Amidst all this, a beautiful yet demanding addition came into our lives – a 6-month-old baby. Balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship was undoubtedly an overwhelming experience, and we had to find a delicate equilibrium between family responsibilities and business aspirations. This required restructuring our schedules and collaborating even more efficiently. Moreover, our desire to scale up the business posed another set of challenges. With limited working hours, we needed to be strategic in optimising our productivity and identifying opportunities for growth. We sought advice from mentors and explored innovative solutions to streamline processes and maximise output.
Though daunting, these challenges have taught us invaluable lessons in resilience, time management, and teamwork. We continue to navigate hurdles and remain committed to our vision, driven by the passion to inspire our family and community while prioritising wellbeing. As we learn and grow, we are excited to unlock the potential of our brand and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
Running our business has brought numerous benefits, primarily a remarkable work-life balance, that enables us to be present with our family while pursuing our passions. We’ve discovered untapped skills, expanding our capabilities beyond expectations. Our product line has flourished, thanks to our creativity and the unwavering support of our loved ones. Continuous learning and personal growth have been some of the pros of our journey. We’ve developed expertise in various areas, from marketing and finance to product development and customer service, which has enriched our professional growth.
On the planning front, strategic planning has been instrumental in our successes. Learning to create a business plan, set achievable goals, and implement effective strategies have enabled us to navigate challenges and open doors of opportunity.
However, challenges persist, like the constant effort to establish our brand and make it financially sustainable. Slow months can be daunting, but we remain resilient, continually seeking ways to attract more traffic and introduce customers to our product line. Strategic planning can also be a con when not executed meticulously. Overlooking certain aspects or underestimating potential obstacles can lead to setbacks and unanticipated difficulties. Adjusting to the flooded market and staying ahead of competitors requires constant vigilance and being adaptable with our product line, making planning an ongoing and sometimes daunting task.
Overall, the journey has been rewarding, as we persist in embracing both triumphs and setbacks.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
Our hopes and dreams are all wrapped up in our business. Our goal is to become self-sufficient in supporting our family’s aspirations. Achieving financial independence is crucial for us, allowing us to provide a better life for ourselves and our loved ones. Our ultimate goal is to create products that people genuinely desire, and appreciate for the wellness benefits they offer. Through our brand, we aim to make a positive impact on others’ lives, fostering a sense of wellbeing and fulfilment in the hearts of our customers.
Head over to the FM-ILY website to find out more and to browse their beautiful range of natural skincare products. You can also connect with them on Facebook and Instagram.
