The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Anxiety and lack of confidence can be the fastest way to crush a dream before you’ve even given it a chance to start. Both were running high when I first came up with the idea of launching Li’l Hands Bizi Minds and strangely enough, to overcome them, I literally went all in, jumped in the deep end to see if I would sink or float. I’ve connected with an amazing business coaching group specifically aimed at Mums in Business called The Mumpreneur Club. By investing in my own growth as a business owner from day one, I have successfully launched my website, social media following and have already had customers Australia wide including ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, VIC & WA. All from the comforts of my little home in Woy Woy, NSW.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
Getting started is always the hardest and it can definitely be nerve-wracking taking that leap, but with the right support and mindset, even a sleep-deprived mama with a baby growing way too fast and NO savings can hit the ground running.
Through running my own business, I’ve been able to get a new lease on life. With my disabilities preventing me from “normal work”, I have felt lost in my efforts to work from home for others only to let them, and myself, down time after time. It’s not that I wasn’t good at the role but unfortunately, with my health, I was simply unreliable. If I was in a pain flare up or experiencing a heart episode, I would be unable to jump on to work. Running my own business gives me the freedom to choose my own work hours and if I am unable to jump on when I originally plan to, it’s OK, as I don’t feel like I’m letting anyone down. I can simply do what I need to at a different time.
You do need to be strict with yourself to ensure you don’t fall into the trap of working anytime from anywhere. For some, that sounds like a dream, but it can quickly become a nightmare when you are on holidays and instead of answering “just one email”, you end up spending far too long on the computer or phone and miss out on experiences with your family. Having dedicated days/time and a physical area set up as your workstation will support that work-life balance. After all, I’m doing this business for my family so at the end of the day, they will always come first.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
By the end of our first year in business, we hope to be the chosen provider for DIY Incursions/Workshops for local childcare centres and group activity providers. Within five years, we plan to have our own Li’l Bizi venue with dedicated space for providing activity workshops, playgroup sessions and who knows, maybe even some business partners to offer parenting support!
Visit the Li’l Hands Bizi Minds website to find out more and to view their range of products. You can also follow their journey on Facebook and Instagram.
