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Guest Post: Maya's Bows!

I ran a competition for a business mum to guest post on my blog and the lovely Rafina of Maya's Bows won! This is her first time writing a post for a blog but she's definitely exceeded herself. Read below her very open and inspirational journey to becoming a business mum.
Before I begin on my story I would firstly like to thank Michaela Dyer for asking me to write
something for her amazing mummy blog The MummyBou Chronicles. I would like to add I am on a wonderful community group called The Business Mum Network and it is because of this amazing group that I am here writing my story.

Who am I?

So firstly, I will tell you a little about me. I’m struggling as to where to begin as life has been a whirlwind now when I think about it. I have never thought about my life like that until recently when I actually started pondering where I was. I am a wife and a mum and I have a wonderful family but it’s not without its problems. I have been married just short of 18 years and I am a mum of 3, 2 boys and a girl, she is my youngest. Both my boys have had health issues which have put a strain on us as a family but we hit rock bottom when my middle son was born. He was born profoundly deaf and with a heart condition. He is now fully hearing thanks to the NHS, for giving him his hearing through a cochlear implant and his heart condition is managed through medication.

This is when my severe mental health issues began and became very significant in our lives. Life was very difficult but through the support of my loved ones and medication, things were under control. However, working closely with the teachers of the deaf made me realise how much I had given up. I had left my dreams of becoming a teacher behind me and decided to be a full-time mum. Long story short I eventually got lots of work experience and applied for my PGCE. However, this was not meant to be as I ended up with a herniated disc followed by an operation and re tried the following year and was unable to cope due to my weak back. After paying out several thousand pounds to the University for starting my course I decided it was time to let go.

What changed?

After a very long time of trying to conceive I finally had my daughter in December 2014. It was an amazing moment holding our daughter. For me I finally had someone who would be my friend and look up to me. This is what got me thinking, what have I done in my life, what have I achieved, what do I have in my life that is mine, what has she got to aspire to. Her mum was nobody just someone’s wife, mum, daughter and all the other relationships I have. I had nothing to show for my life. I felt like I didn’t have my own existence, I was a doormat for everybody else, I still am a doormat but I am trying to achieve something.

I love dressing up my daughter and with matching accessories. From this love of making her look all pretty arose Maya’s Bows. I have been making bows for personal use nearly 2 years and started my business nearly 18 months ago. While I was making these lovely bows I was happy, my depression was not as predominant in my life. Over time I realised this could help me solve many problems. I may be able to fight my depression better and do something in my life for my daughter to look up at me and say ‘that’s my mum’ or just be proud of me.

What do I do?

I predominantly make hair accessories of different types, but I also make tutus and skirts. I need to concentrate on these a bit more. These past 18 months have been a struggle, however, with the support of so many people in the many different Facebook groups I am in, I have pushed through and seen a positive somewhere. Most of my loved ones see my business as a hobby, a pastime, they don’t realise how important this is to me. It is even closer to my heart than they can imagine. I started this with my daughter’s pet name but it has been for the sake of my children and my sanity.

I never knew how passionate I was about creating it just puts me in a happy place. I have sewn since I was 17 and always enjoyed it but never saw it as an opportunity to create an income for myself. Now I know I can make this work with lots of dedication and hard work but as a mum my kids still take priority. I not only have created Maya’s Bows but I have also started work on foiled prints as another little side-line which has taken a back seat for a little while. So now I’m a wife, a mum to 3 but alongside that I own Maya’s Bows, I own Ditta Designs and I am helping my husband in the office. Things can be hard to juggle but with determination and planning and time organisation I can
do this.

I love making bows and love it even more when mums message me saying surprise us with a set of bows. I would love to offer a surprise bow box set at various different prices but it is all a work in progress. I get custom orders for people that want something to match an outfit I have not had a disappointed customer so far. So, if you are mum of girl/s do pop over and have a look at my page and order something pretty for your daughter/s.

On a final note...

Thank you for reading a snippet of my life and for following my story to the end. I have lots of work
to do to make my businesses a success but I am willing to put in the work to achieve something I can be proud of. If you are interested in my work follow me on Instagram (mayasbows14) and Facebook (Ditta Designs) I have just started work on my website so lots of new and exciting things in the pipeline.

As a thank you to all the followers of The MummyBou Chronicles I am offering all of you a 20% discount on your first order. Just mention The MummyBou Chronicles when you contact me.

Always believe in yourself, we are all able to achieve our dreams one way or another. I may have let go of one dream but I am working on another. But never forget to look after yourself this is where I need to work on most at the moment. As if you are running on empty like I do a lot then you will crash and burn. But having realised my downfall I am now going to work on this. Always support each other as mums and business women and as one we will learn from each other.

I hope to see you on my page.

Rafina xx

Rafina you are a very strong woman and you will go so far! Everyone check out her pages and show her some support 🙂


-x- Michaela -x-

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