Why Mums Hustle Hard: The Interview

Just over a week ago, I joined a Facebook group full of motivational but down to earth mothers called Business Mum Collaboration Network  This group is for mums who have their own business or blogs and have come together to support each other, share tips and advice and build a great friendship.

Since joining this group, so many positive things have happened. My blog is increasing every day, I have been asked to plan some great events among other things. Surrounding myself with positive people really has changed my mindset and shifted my focus. I have always dreamt of having my own events business, but didn't see it happening until after I got my degree. But being in this group, I see mums with their own businesses, all doing so well and I thought why do I have to wait? Why can't I start something now? I have been made redundant, I want to provide for my family too and now is as good as time as any. 

These mums are working so hard on a daily basis and I know it isn't easy, especially with children. So what drives them to keep going? Why do they hustle so hard? I interviewed 5 ladies from the group, asking them what motivated them and why they are a mum who hustles hard.

Please can you tell me your names and the name of your business/blog

Gemma Mattram (GM) of Creative Creations

Helen Walker (HW) of Harry & Bella Kids Boutique

Jade Deverill (JD) of Marlowe's Makes

Natalie Chandler (NC) of Aloe There Mum

Shereen Hopkirk (SH) of Mummy Said So

What made you decide to start your own business?

(GM) I couple of years ago I was working in my parents shop and I could see that gifts that were personalised with names, quotes etc were becoming really popular - and the companies that supplied us with the gifts obviously didn’t stock every single name and quote that is out there, I was always turning customers away because I didn’t have a certain name and I thought to myself there is a gap in the market and how can I fill this gap! How can I Personalise gifts? There must be a machine out there that can do this or something I can learn to do, and that’s how my journey started

(HW) I was unexpectedly made redundant in early 2018 from a job I’d been in for 10 years, due to the business being sold and subsequent restructuring.

(JD) I’m expecting my fourth child and will have 2 under two. Realistically being employed isn’t doable due to childcare costs versus what I would earn. Also, as this is my last and final baby (tubectomy), I decided that I really want to spend as much time as possible with my two youngest babies. I went back to work when the eldest was a baby, the second eldest I missed the first year because of university, although all valid reasons, I’m now in a position where I can do something for me and our children.

(NC) I was off ill from work with severe depression and anxiety linked to PTSD. I’m a full-time teacher and I just feel like it’s going nowhere. The hours aren’t getting better and neither is the pay. I spend more time (and more brain space) with other people’s children than I’m able to with my own. I was on Instagram and I saw the business opportunity. At first, I was hesitant. It would be hard. It would take a lot of time. But then I stopped making excuses and thought about the positives. I could build up my business enough to work less hours. I could pay off our debts and start spoiling my family. I could quit teaching all together and work my business around my family. I could have the time and headspace to get better. All it would take is a little bit of faith and a lot of hard work. 

(SH) 3 reasons - 1. Didn't want to miss any of my daughters’ childhood. 2. I was tired of working my ass of for companies and getting no respect or recognition unless I kissed ass in the process (which I refuse to do) 3. Discovered I could earn way more money.

Did you have any support from your family? If so, who?

(GM) I can’t say I had any support from anyone- as I’m an independent person, and researched everything myself but if I needed anyone’s help I knew I could ask my mum or my best friends for help, and they gave their opinions and the items/designs I first started to make

(HW) My husband is my biggest fan! When I first mentioned it, he told me to go for it straight away.

(JD) My husband is very hands on with our youngest child and often does the bedtime routine for all 3 children where I do the morning routine. He’s also stepped up on the weekends and has the children solo so that I can do events, run my stall and try to build my brand. He never complains or whines, we are a team and although he doesn’t have any involvement in my business, we work in partnership.

(NC) My husband has been an amazing support. He mentally helps me with letting me bounce ideas off him and giving me space to do what I need to. He’s also my number one product tester! He loves skincare anyway, but supplements are outside his comfort zone, but he’s even been trying those. He’s a huge protein shake convert! He has one every day!

(SH) No

Were there any people who doubted you or were negative towards you starting your own business?

(GM) I fortunately didn’t come across any negativity when I first started

(HW) No, other than immediate family such as my husband, Mum & sister, nobody else knew I was doing it until I launched.

(JD) Nope, family know I like to dabble in various things and often leave me to it. What sparked me to really get going was my cousin Charlie who added me to a mums business group, one of the best things I have been added to. Seeing her business build and ramp up a gear really encouraged me to follow suit.

(NC) Not anybody I know as such. People have asked how I will have time and if I’m well enough to run my own business but that’s for me to focus on. 

(SH) Yes. I'm sure there were a few sceptics however; they would never tell me that.

What’s been the most difficult part of your business journey so far and how did you overcome it?

(GM) Gosh there are so many difficulties - I think time management is my biggest!

There’s only me! And running a business from home and raising two sons is challenging! There just aren’t enough hours in the day! I find it really difficult to say no to an order, as each sale is so important to me! I may have been up since 6 in the morning - the house is upside down, it’s midnight, an order will come through saying please can you get it out tomorrow and I just can’t say no! But I am learning to say no and have a better work/life balance
Three tips from me:
Try your best to make time for yourself, have a good work/life balance (as I said before it’s my biggest failure and I’m still trying to get this right)
Be organised, always try to be one step ahead, it’s June and I’m already thinking about Christmas products, sales, etc
Never forget your goal, you will come across obstacles, you will want to quit, there will be times when you think it’s just not going to work
But keep going, if you believe in yourself and your business, everyone else will

(HW) I guess I underestimated the amount of work involved and as I’m doing it on my own I have to wear all the hats! Buying, marketing, IT, web design etc. There’s nobody to delegate to!

(JD) Starting it while being heavily pregnant! Ha! I never learn, but hey if you don’t challenge yourself then you will never push yourself out of your comfort zone. I feel being pregnant has made me more determined to make a success of it. I’m currently pregnant with our only girl Marlowe, which is who I have named my business after and have set up in the hopes of being able to give it to her one day.

(NC) The most difficult part was when I had just bought my starting your business box, I sat down and just thought ‘What on earth do I do now? Who is ever going to buy this stuff?!’ but I started using the products myself and realised how good they really are. Then as soon as I’ve started recommending them on social media and to my friends, I’ve started having sales which has proved to me I can do it. 

(SH) Initially start-up cost was the problem.  Now I have discovered ways to make money without putting any in. I wish I knew this in the beginning. Now finances are good.   I'm very comfortable because I now have multiple income streams which I believe every entrepreneur should have

Tell about the moment you knew starting your own business was worth it. (This could be the day you got the most sales, hit a specific target, etc.)

(GM) The moment I knew I was on the right track, was when I had been trying to teach myself my new design skills, it was so difficult, there were so many times when I just wanted to give up or throw my computer out of the window, I finally felt I was getting somewhere and I posted a picture on a selling page and instantly this lady messaged me and placed an order for £250 for my items to go into her caravan park shop! I just knew this was going to be a good idea

(HW) I launched my own t-shirt range featuring designs created by my son and I which was a huge sense of achievement! I was then contacted by another company wanting to collaborate and feature my t-shirt range in a summer pop-up shop event they were organising which was a massive compliment to myself.

(JD) I did an event and took over £200 in one day, I wasn’t going to quibble with that. I love my products anyway, but that day made me realise apart from loving it, that it was worth doing.

(NC) The day I recruited my first team member. I had been speaking to her for a while and I had a sense she would be great. When she decided to take the leap, I knew that I was helping her to change her life and make more time and money for herself and her family and that was the best feeling in the world. 

(SH) The first month I official earned £100 less than what I was earning working full time in a very well-paid job (which I had left 2 months earlier). And there are no limits to earning like in most jobs, so this got me excited because I hadn't paid childcare fees and done this while spending time with my daughter. I knew I had made the right decision when that final payment came through that month. 

What motivates you to keep going?

(GM) My motivation is my children, I want to build my business to give them stability and maybe even a business to pass down to them

(HW) Providing for my family. Whilst my husband has a good job, I don’t want to rely on him provide everything for us. I want to contribute my equal share.

(JD) Marlowe. I want to be able to give her something. Not to give her an easy life, or something for nothing as I plan on making her get in involved as she grows up and working for it, but I would like to offer a helping hand.

(NC) Wanting to spend more time with my little boy. I don’t want just a couple of hours in the evening, I want all day every day. 

(SH) 3 answers. 1. My daughters future. 2. My goal to move to Auz. 3. My desire to show other Mums you do not have to fall into the social norm of working and sending your child to nursery.  You can spend every precious moment with your child and earn money if you’re willing to put in the work. If I can do it.  Anyone can. 

Who/Where do you go to for advice? (If it’s a book/online forum/conference etc, please state and provide link if possible).

(GM) For advice I went to social media help groups in America, that specialised in the skill I was learning to do, everyone was so kind and helpful

(HW) I found several networking groups within Facebook that were just for Mums like me! I’ve ‘virtually’ met so many other Mums in business and have been able to ask questions, source information and just receive general guidance. I launched just before the introduction of GDPR, so I obviously had to comply. The online forums were brilliant for getting the advice I needed to ensure my policy was in place correctly.

(JD) I’m currently using two fabulous groups for mums in business –

Mums in business association - https://www.facebook.com/groups/Mumsinbusinessassociation/?fref=nf

Business mum collaboration network - https://www.facebook.com/groups/255182968361885/

(NC) As I’m part of a well-established business that’s 40 years old, I’m part of a wider team called the Eagles team. We have various Facebook groups for support which is fantastic. I also can ask my recruiter and mentor Claire who is a huge source of support. My Insta friends have been great and Business Mum Network has really helped me with coming up with fresh and new ideas (www.facebook.com/businessmumnetwork).

(SH) Most of what I know is from previous business training from being a management consultant and business development manager however; the social media world is relatively new to me so if I need to know something or learn something I invest in educating myself. I enrol on courses or do my research. I thrive on gaining new knowledge.  

If you could give a mother wishing to open her own business 3 tips, what would it be?

(GM) My advice is - if you want to open your own business - just go for it, life is too short don’t have any regrets, if it doesn’t work at least you can say I’ve tried and not think what if .....

(HW) Network as much as possible. Essential for building your brand, gaining support and being recognised in your industry.

Research your target market thoroughly. Know and understand who your competitors are and ensure you are offering your own Unique Selling Point.

Just do it!

(JD) Invest in something you love. It is so much easier to sell if you love the product yourself.

Customers don’t appear overnight, it’s not easy, it’s not a quick money maker. Prepare yourself for the long game.

Plan and be organised. Set yourself small goals and tick them off as you go, each one is an achievement.

(NC) 1. Just do it. You never know unless you try. 

2. Don’t give up when it gets tough. You’re doing this for your family to have a better life. 

3. Meet other business mums. These are your best support network 

(SH) 1. Go for it and never look back.  If you want to succeed you need to be ALL in.  Half assed effort or no passion will fail quickly. 

2. Invest in yourself.  Your mind and knowledge are everything!

3. When you are set with one income.  Introduce more. If you want to make a lot of money I would suggest having multiple incomes. 

 If you're a mum like me wanting to start your own business, or blog for that matter, go ahead! Let these women be an inspiration to you. If they can do it, so can you!

-x- Michaela -x-