I won't sugar coat it and say it's easy establishing a successful small business, with a budget, but I wouldn't have it any other way. My obstacles in launching this business did not stem from just having a premie baby, with her gorgeous big sister Chloe at my side or rather trying to climb me like a monkey for extra attention. I have been fighting a muscle disease over the last 14 years called fibromyalgia. Instead of letting this chronic painful disease define me, I have let the journey with it REFINE me. I have grown into a strong woman with a passion for joy, adventure, laughter and fun. Some days it wins but this year I am going to work smarter and focus on ME, my family (and my business). Yes, I believe it's possible.
Its taken me a year to realise that you can grow a business at any pace you like. At first it was a marathon effort, little sleep, constant hustling, little sleep, so much work, no sleep, more hustling, IG learning etc etc. But this came at a cost to my health and my family. So in year two of the business (2017) I plan to work smarter. HOW you ask? Ask other mums for advice, you don't need to research everything alone. Some mums are more than willing to share industry contacts, tell you what loops/markets are great and why. What hashtags are trending. Just take a chance and ask. What do you have to lose?
Also, as long as you are moving forward with your strategy and vision then you are creating growth. It doesn't need to be all work and no play. Your business will still be there next week/next year if you take some time out. Life gets busy and somethings have to give, so remember it's not all or nothing.
Best organisational tip to other working mums?
If you have the energy on a Sunday night, plan out the week. Have a list of actionable items and plan the week accordingly; including social media, urgent emails, phone calls, meetings, daycare, sleep times and think what you can get done and on which day/s. Otherwise a week of work can appear insurmountable on a Sunday night after a big weekend and the last thing we need is extra stress on a Monday morning.
Greatest Advice: Focus on the Good. In the world of small business, there is a lot of “COPYING” happening & has come into the spotlight recently ten fold. I have seen it with my own eyes. I have heard about it happening more than monthly from fellow biz mums, I have seen tears and heard sad stories. I have seen anger and I have read comments.
BUT, WHAT I CAN OFFER IS THIS: If YOU have been copied, its distressing. My personality is to let that person know. Sometimes they may know they have copied you & other times they may not. So what I would also say is: If it is very obvious and they have ordered from you and then copied, or even if you feel concerned & can't move on, release that stress you feel and send them an email or a DM. Resentment is not worth it and your health is your wealth, so say something and try and move on or resolve the issue with the other 'maker'. At the end of the day, you just have to be the best you can be and as hard as this is to write, take it as a compliment that you are so amazing and original, people want to replicate your ideas. This sounds easier said than done, I know as this has happened to me, so easier said than done.