Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
I don’t have children (yet!) so I would say my work and family/life balance is far easier to achieve than many of the women in our community. To be able to enjoy my work, my life, have energy, feel calm and assured and optimistic; it’s certainly important to create boundaries and have positive routines. I meditate daily; I do something movement based each day – walk, lagree, yoga; I try to schedule work time and fun time in my calendar and I make sure to “do fun” with friends (especially my mums and soon-to-be mums) even when I feel I should be working.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Oh dear, challenges aplenty in 2020! Our team is split across Brisbane and Sydney so between bushfires and COVID, we haven’t been able to see each other most of the year – which has honestly been hard for us. Coupled with working around manufacturing complexities and global shortages of various key components that make our two signature products … well, let’s just say it’s quite a time to launch a brand! Patience is key and we’ve been able to tough out the delays – and the community of women that form our customer base are extraordinarily supportive and wonderful.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The greatest gift for founders I think is seeing your vision come to life, and there’s no feeling quite like that vision being loved by others. Being able to have control and direction on how a problem in the market should be solved is really rewarding. As for the cons – you’re ultimately responsible for everyone and everything in your business, not just the glory. It can be stressful knowing that your decisions affect the livelihood of those you care about and work with.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
We have so many dreams. We’d love to see Noonie in more hospitals and on the shelves of global retailers in the near future. We’re always in R&D for the next essential pregnancy/postpartum products. Ultimately, we just want to grow to help as many women and mothers everywhere to have the care, support and attention that they deserve, at a vulnerable and significant time in their lives.
Head to the Noonie website to find out more and to view their products. You can also follow their journey on Facebook and Instagram.
