The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
It’s been a massive learning curve for me. My background is in software, and up until recently I was running The Mum Tribe as a side hustle. I’ve learned how to build websites, set up email marketing software, learned about stock fulfilment and ordering and so much more.
I’m basically a do-it-all business owner, so while I have more recently engaged with an agency for some marketing and design work, I run everything behind the scenes, which is hugely time consuming and requires a lot of discipline and balance. I’ve struggled more recently with my health which has been a challenge in terms of having the drive to carry on and keep doing all the things. But the business has continued to tick over and is still growing, so I’m proud of that!
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The major pro is definitely being able to be a bit more flexible with my time. If my daughter is sick, I don’t need to apply for leave! I already worked for a very family-friendly and flexible company in my past job, so I was extremely lucky in that regard. I also think another pro is the learning. While challenging, it’s great to get stuck into solving a new problem, be it how to increase sales or creating reels on Instagram!
In terms of cons, being a business owner can be incredibly lonely. My daughter is in daycare during the day and my husband works, so some days the only other adult I see during the day is my courier! It’s important to make an effort to get out and see people. I’ve actually just signed a lease on an office in a shared working space, so I’m excited to get back to the world of water cooler chat!
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I have so many! I would absolutely love to start manufacturing some products here in New Zealand. Secret squirrel because you’ve got to protect your ideas, but that is the dream! It’s a big dream because it can be so expensive to manufacture here, but I love the idea of creating jobs and supporting other Kiwi mums and dads by doing so.
As mentioned before as well, I can’t wait to launch the affirmation jewellery line and expand that out further. I’ve not seen anything else like it in NZ and I’m really proud of all the work I’ve put into it.
Find out more by visiting The Mum Tribe website. You can also keep up to date and find support in their Facebook and Instagram communities
