The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
The first challenge was moving cities and purchasing the business before having a new address. Oh, what a fun few weeks, followed by learning the ups and downs of operating an online store in the e-commerce world.
We also had to stay true to our mission of sourcing products that are both sustainable and durable while having a purpose in our everyday life. It is exciting to continually increase our range of products to meet the needs of our community – at an affordable price. We welcome recommendations from our customers and friends, having a shared vision of building this business together.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The pros: Drawing on our different strengths in business and life skills helps to shape the direction of the company and to share the load. Being able to prioritise family and work any time of day or night that suits our schedules works for us. Running our store online rather than a brick-and-mortar store gives us more freedom to live anywhere.
The cons: We both have high expectations and must compromise on some decisions. Amy is more fluid on the computer and gets far more achieved in a shorter space of time, and Lorraine has a knack for suggesting many ideas and products that Amy works her magic on – with photography and getting details into the computer.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
We will continue to grow Earth Mama and provide a wider range of high-quality, sustainable alternatives that support your family’s wellbeing and the planet.
We also have plans to extend and nurture an educational focus on new and repurposed educational products that create a circular flow of knowledge.
“The environment is in us, not outside us. The trees are our lungs, the rivers our bloodstream. We are all interconnected, and what you do to the environment ultimately you do to yourself” – Ian Somerhalder
This quote resonates with our aim of creating a sustainable future for the next generation and by taking small steps every day, we make a difference!
Lorraine and Amy
Visit www.earthmama.nz to find out more, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
