Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
I run The Nutrition Project while working full time at Blackmores and being a mum of two and wife – and I won’t lie… it isn’t easy. Like most mums in this position, I would love more hours in the day. I have so many ideas for The Nutrition Project, which keeps me inspired and so pumped, but I can’t always execute them with the speed I would like. But hey, that’s the reality for most of us. And what is most important is that my family are healthy and we are all good – which we are. Family always comes first in my book and I’m grateful to have a real partner in my husband. He cooks, cleans and does all the laundry which frees me up in the evenings to work on my business.
The Drive: What challenges have you overcome?
The main challenge for me has been getting the word out about the program. I don’t think many parents know that an online, interactive, easy to follow guide, which is industry leading in it’s approach, is available. And solid food introductions are something that you usually think you’re doing well until you find you have a super fussy 18-month-old who hates broccoli and asparagus and everything green. Suddenly, you’re making buttered pasta and cheesy toast every night wondering how you got here.
Solid food introductions are something that you usually think you’re doing well until you find you have a super fussy 18-month-old who hates broccoli and asparagus and everything green.
I have a lot of second-time and third-time parents on the program who have fussy eaters and want their youngest to have a different relationship with food. Those mums give me the most positive feedback and are so thrilled when their youngest eats mostly everything they put in front of them. A no-stress dinner is doable.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
I think most entrepreneurs will tell you the same thing here. The pros are that you can be flexible with your working hours and the cons are that every hour is a working hour. I love that I can work from anywhere in the world and can connect with parents in so many different countries but I also find that I feel guilty if I sit down and watch a movie because I feel I should be working on my business.
Having a strong team around me has helped. I know marketing is not my strong suit so it helps to have a fabulous digital team who supports me there.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
The Infant Nutrition Program is just the beginning. I want to develop more products to support mum and bub during and after pregnancy. I am a personal trainer and nutritionist by trade and this combo gives me unique insight into what mothers need in order to feel recovered and well after pregnancy. It’s important mothers carve out time for themselves – they will better mums to their little ones if they take care of themselves. I have also begun work on early childhood nutrition and am writing the next program for that now.
Interested to learn more about how to introduce a healthy and varied diet of solids to your baby? Visit The Nutrition Project website and sign up for the program. You can also become part of The Nutrition Project community on Facebook and Instagram.
