Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Our business does have very short-term demands and there are times when things just have to be done. However, with both parents having a work-from-home lifestyle, we have found the ability to share the workload across the numerous elements of our lives. We do believe it’s the environment we work and live in that allows a good balance to be maintained. We value the respective strengths in our team, prioritising the life and needs of our son as he grows, and having fun and rewarding effort. We ensure we take time out within our routine and prioritise our health.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
At times we have found it difficult to access the right support people in areas of marketing and some of the more complex areas of sales.
Of course, cash flow is always important, and with growth comes the need for close scrutiny on inventory and cash management. Also, along the way we have come across highly varied issues around responsiveness to numerous quite technical issues which has caused unexpected delays in moving our business forward.
Nonetheless, it has always been possible to work through these and other issues and remain confident in our business model.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
We are enjoying the reward for effort nature of running our business. It gives us the ability to innovate and have a sense of creating our own future. We enjoy knowing we can and are making a difference to the lives and loves of toddlers and their parents around the world.
Of course, we know it’s all up to us, it is our decisions, and that takes effort and time, knowing quite often it just has to be done right now.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
We aim to continue to grow, now believing we have established the skills, capability, problem solving and planning to do so. We are establishing new ways to reach valued customers, whether they be new geographies, wholesale outlets, or new eCommerce platforms.
We will continue to focus on customer service and eco-friendly, safe products. Listening to the various needs and likes of our toddler and mums and dads market is a priority. We will strive to differentiate to make the toy experience for our customers, toddlers and their parents a truly fantastic and lasting one.
Visit the Axel Adventures website to browse their range of toys, and join their communities on Facebook and Instagram.
