Real Wahms of SA: Jaclyn makes clothes

Schnooky Pie was launched in Nov 2014 by Jaclyn Holmes, born from an inspiration to make her little girl stunning outfits that she couldn’t find in stores and motivated by friends and family, Jaclyn started her momtrepreneur business on facebook and soon after designed and launched her website. 

Her story is close to my heart as it is similiar to my dream for Oh!Boy 

Schnooky Pie is a unique range of handmade baby and children’s clothing and accessories. The range includes gorgeous clothing for boys and girls, ranging from 0m-5yrs, as well as a wide range of personalised items such as Birthday outfits, burp cloths, birth announcement pillows and much more. 

Jaclyn says “My clients are a part of the creative process, I work with them in crafting their little ones perfect birthday outfit but to my clients, I think the most exciting part is that the chances of someone else having the exact same outfit as their little one is slim.” 

She also identified that there was a gap in the market for unique, functional yet comfortable boys clothing and some of these outfits along with some of her girls range are now stocked at Born Local in Windermere centre in Durban, at Mio Designs at Oxford Centre in Hillcrest and at Miggieboud in the Western Cape, to name a few. 

Jaclyn believes that anything is possible if you have the passion and the drive to achieve it, and says that she is just an ordinary mom, giving entrepreneurship a try!
If you would like to support this inspirational mommy, you can find her range on facebook atwww.facebook.com/schnookypie, online at www.schnookypie.co.za or you can email her atschnookypie@outlook.com





1.tell us about your family: 
I am married to my awesome Husband, Tyron and we have a little girl, Mia. She is 14 months old and the absolute joy of our day. We thought life would change having a child, but simply did not realise how much – and honestly for the better. It is like she has grounded us both while at the same time made us even more excited and passionate to succeed in life. Hubby is a big gamer and is very sporty, although now it is more difficult for him to enjoy his sports as he then misses time with Mia. I am the structured typical mommy type but I LOVE cooking – I find ways to have an excuse to cook. Mia is a little cracker. She is very busy and full of energy and life. She absolutely loves being outside and wondering around the garden, playing with our cats and dogs etc – she doesn’t like being indoors more than she needs to be.  
2.what is a day in your life like:
well i think it starts like every other mom… waking up to feed Mia. Hubby starts work at 6am, so he has left by 5.15/5.30 every morning, so Mia and i get some girly time. I used to work at a big corporate, and only recently left to pursue Schnooky Pie full time – so when i was in corporate Mia had to go to creche (long story but our nanny left suddenly and i simply couldn’t cope with a job, a business and trying to find a new nanny that i trusted, so i felt my only option was to send her to creche). Now that i have left my corporate, i have kept her in creche for full day, but i take her in late and collect her early (anytime from around 2) so that I do have some time to focus on my business and growing it because at the end of the day we need to eat 🙂 plus, i also have a passion to succeed not only as a mom but as a business woman as well. Back to our normal day, after our morning session together, i drop Mia off at creche at 8am. I return home to check out what has happened on my facebook page during the night (as many moms are active in the early hours of the morning) and to respond to emails etc. Most of my morning is spent responding to email order requests, posting of facebook and other admin tasks. Then i often go out to suppliers to get materials, source new fabrics, etc etc (i am also working on a new range that i will be launching end Nov – so I am often at the new factory that will be making my new range or out sourcing new fabrics, printers etc)… then i pick up Mia early afternoon. i have a seamstress who now makes the items for me, so 2 days a week i am also meeting her to collect my orders and to then pack the orders. (this is often done at night time so that i have the afternoon with Mia). In the afternoons, i like to play outside with Mia, – i try to focus on work when i need to do work, and then to focus on Mia when she is home. I don’t want her seeing me at the computer, on my cell phone, packing orders etc while we have “our” time. (that is why i like her to go to creche in the morning, so i have that time to focus on my business and then i have time with her in the afternoon) Once my husband gets home around 5/6pm, he has his time with Mia and i organise her bath, bottle and our dinner. Once Mia is asleep, hubby and I have dinner, and then a little us time, and then at 8pm i am back online, packing orders, responding to emails etc while hubby is studying for his masters… our week days are hectic like this but weekends, we have fun. we take Mia to parks, to play areas, to friends, to the beach and we just enjoy our time together.  
3.how did you become a wahm:
I started making dresses with my mom and then friend encouraged me to start selling them on facebook. I did this while i was on maternity leave. After maternity leave i returned to my normal job, but after a few months, i wasn’t happy with the situation and the lack of time and flexibility that my job allowed me to have with my family. So i took the big plunge to resign from my work and to focus on Schnooky Pie full time and to have more time and flexibility with my family.  
4. what is most rewarding part of being a wahm: 
For me to the most rewarding part is that i now have a lot more time with my daughter and i have the flexibility to do more things with her – such as take her to ballet, or if business is slow or if i am wanting to spend more time with her, I can simply “take the day off” and spend the entire day with her doing what ever we want – and then i make up for the lost work time at night when she is asleep. i also feel that i have less stress – if she is sick, then she is with me during the day, and i manage work and her at the same time and often my clients are understanding if i say that i will be delayed in responses for a few days – however, when i was in corporate, it almost felt like your child was not allowed to get sick – or if they did get sick that you still need to manage your normal work load and be contactable and online all day to respond to any and all emails.

5.what is most unexpected part of being wahm:
 i think one of the most unexpected parts is that of running your own business. It is a much bigger and more daunting task than i had expected – you have to be on top of your game, a jack of all trades – you are jiggling a dozen things at one time, while still trying to make money and spend time with your family. I also think that i have to be even more strict now because if you are not careful, you can easily land up working all of the time (an always on culture) – and not spending that quality time with your child. there is always someone who needs a last minute order, some crisis that has happened, etc… but you need to put your family first and not answer that email and start an email conversation at 1am, because the clients that understand that, are the clients that will continue to support you and help you grow as a business and as a person.


Real Wahms of SA: Lauren does speech therapy and EVERYTHING else

Today’s interviewee is not typical (but hey who is)  she wasn’t sure if she fit into the wahm box as she is a speech therapist,  bakes cupcakes and cakes to order, studies teaching and is an agent for two companies while taking care of her mom who is recovering from  brain surgery. ( I wasn’t sure if she wasn’t actually a superhero or a robot)
 
I had to take some time to even fully process what this woman’s days must be like and am inspired already… Also I kind of feel like a lady of leisure after reading this, she puts me to SHAME 🙂
Here Lauren’s story
 
 
 
Tell us about your family:
I live in Clanwilliam with my husband, Shaun, and our amazing 15 month old girl, Mila. My mom is staying with us for a while as she is recovering from cancer and brain surgery. I try to spend as much time as I can at home, Mila is learning so many new things now, and I want to stimulate her as much as I can.
 
Why did you become a work from home mom:
 I used to work at a well-established speech therapy practice in Cape Town, but decided I want to start my own practice so that I can have my own hours and be my own boss. At the time we were also planning on having a baby, so it would have been perfect to work from home.
 
What was the most unexpected part of becoming a wahm:
 The amount of time that I had to spend away from home!
 
What has been the hardest part:
All the admin! At the previous practice we had a receptionist that made all our call, did all of our admin, filing, etc. Now, with all of the different things I’m doing, I have so much more admin, and nobody to help with it.
 
What is the most rewarding:
 Knowing that I worked hard during the week and being able stay at home on a Friday and have pajama day with my baby J
 
What is your day like:
Every day is different. On a Monday and Tuesday mornings I’m free to do as I please, I follow up on orders, reply to emails and plan my week. Sometimes I bake or do deliveries. In the afternoon I go fetch two kiddies and bring them to my home for extra homework help (I help them on Mondays to Thursdays).
 
On Wednesday and Thursday mornings I see a couple of kiddies for speech therapy, then I spend a few hours with my baby until I go fetch the homework kids.
 
If I bake, I usually do it on a Friday as most birthday parties and babyshowers are on Saturdays. The rest of the Friday is all mine!
 
In between all of this I try and see my mom for therapy for at least an hour a day, do assignments for university, do the shopping, cooking & cleaning, and sleep!
 
Tell us about your business:
 My practice is registered as Lauren Taljaard Speech Therapy, but I wear so many hats that I don’t have a company or company name.
 
 
What sets you apart:
A lady commented on my cupcakes and told me “I love your cupcakes because you love your cupcakes”. I love everything I do, be it baking or giving speech therapy, and the fact that I do it out of love first and necessity last shows in my work.
 
Where do you see it going:
In an ideal world I would be a speech therapist for two mornings a week and run a playgroup for two mornings a week and be with Mila in the afternoons, and have enough cupcake and cake orders to keep me busy all day on a Friday. I want to keep my weekends open for family time, which to me is the most important time of all.
 
 
Also if you in the Clanwilliam area contact her for cuppity cakes
 
* If I contacted you about an interview and you have not been featured yet feel free to drop me a line I have quite a few interviews in the pipe line SERIOUSLY had no idea how many Wahms there were in the country!!! LOVING THIS SERIES!!! hope you do to 🙂

Real WAHMS of SA: Win with Raqual and RubyRose

Today’s WAHM  is Raqual Van Wyk from Ruby Rose designs. She is an extremely talented mother of two and owner of a design and marketing business.  Raqual has this whimsical feel to her designs which will totally steal your heart.

She is sharing the WAHM love today by offering an amazing prize of either a free logo design/makeover OR Facebook campaign worth R550… read about this generous woman and then enter the competition and let her add her flair to your business.



Tell us about your family?
 I am blessed with two young and busy boys – 3 and 6 years old. A loving and supportive husband and a beautiful husky pup. I am outnumbered 4 to 1 on the testosterone scale,

Why did you become a work from home mom?
I left the corporate world on the birth of my second child. I have always had an entrepreneurial streak, and the industry I am in easily allows for flexible working locations. I also love the freedom of being my own boss and setting my own goals, as well as boundaries. If I want to take the afternoon off to take the kids somewhere fun then I don’t have to answer to anyone. It just seemed like the only option.

What was the most unexpected part of becoming a wahm?
Sometimes I wonder which are my most demanding clients – my ‘real’ clients or my children. Many times I am busy seeing to something very ‘mommy-ish’ whilst taking a call from a client with a tight deadline. Prioritising that balance has been a huge challenge and surprise to me.

What has been the hardest part ?
Most certainly the juggling act. I give my best to my children, then to my husband and clients, then to my other responsibilities, and then last on the list is myself. I heard a quote once that owning a business is like having a newborn baby. When they need to eat or sleep, you see to that need immediately. I have had good success with my business, but I do realise that it has come at a cost to my own health and wellbeing at times.

What is the most rewarding?
Being able to treat my kids and husband at times. The extra cash flow certainly helps when it comes to extra lessons and private schooling etc. And also the freedom to take time to spend with my children without having to answer to anyone.

What is your day like ?
I wake up at 6 with everyone and get the kids ready for school. Once they have left with my husband, I grab a slice of toast and immediately sit in front of the computer. I know that I only have a couple hours to cram in as much work as possible before fetching the kids from school. The afternoon is spent with the kids at extra curricular things, or cuddling on the couch watching a movie. After supper time my husband puts the kids to bed and then its off to the computer again to send those last few emails off before collapsing into bed myself.

 Tell us about your business 
I own a small design and Marketing business. My passion is assisting small and start-up businesses establishing their identity and getting their brand out to the world



Where did business idea and name come from ?
I was always the ‘arty’ kid in school and find it extremely rewarding being creative. After studying design my passion for marketing grew from there and I have amalgamated the two into my services as a small agency. Ruby Rose – I just LOVE red and roses, so it only seemed like a natural representation of who I am, which is essentially who I am as a business

What sets you apart 
After working with a number of clients in my career, I would definitely say the relationship that I build with them. I adore my clients and they do me – my referral rate is very high. I feel like I walk a path with my clients as they grow and develop their brand, and really get to know what it is that they want to represent. Eventually there is hardly any guess work involved from my part because I know them so well.
Where do you see it going I am growing quickly and steadily, I will need to make a decision soon about hiring some extra help. One thing is for sure, that I will never let my work priorities come in between my time with my children.

Contact her at:
info@rubyrosedesigns.co.za
www.rubyrosedesigns.co.za


Now for the competition part…. Ruby Rose is offering one lucky winner a professional logo design! and another lucky winner gets a custom designed advert for Facebook specifically targeting their relevant audiences with a new exposure of about 4500 people!!!

You love us right now don’t you…. Just enter the competition below and comment which prize you would prefer. Logo or FB campaign then check in next Wednesday to find out who won 🙂

 

Real Wahms of SA: Vernita designs

YEAH!!! it’s WAHM WEDNESDAY!!! 
Today we interview Vernita, Okay so I don’t know her personally but she has such a likable personality it just pops off every email we have exchanged so far, one of those people you feel like you could certainly hang out with 🙂 Vernita is SEO and Design specialist and really has an eye for pretty things… Here is her view on being a Wahm…


Tell us about your family
I am so blessed with a lovely and supportive fiancé and two beautiful children – Andrew, 7 and Ava, 4. I don’t often work when they are home so I am not even sure they really understand what I do. It’s quite funny – just a few days ago Ava was standing behind me looking over my shoulder as I was making an ad. She very sweetly said: “That is nice broccoli Mamma”  Little did she know I was actually making a flower 🙂 The honesty of children keeps us humble! I’m glad to say that after colouring the artwork and a few more hours of tweaking, it eventually looked like a flower!  We lived in the UK for 11 years where the children were born and moved back to South Africa last year. We are so pleased to be back and are really making the most of this beautiful country. It does mean building up a whole new client base which can be tricky.

Why did you become a work from home mom
I used to be a nursery school teacher, and I remember feeling so sorry for the mothers that had to drop their children at 7am and pick them up at 6pm. You could feel the pain in their hearts and you just wanted to give them a hug and say “it is ok, your child will be fine”. I was quite young at this stage so I guess it had a big impact on who I became as a mother. From a young age I vowed two things  – never stay in a job that doesn’t fulfill you and secondly, if at all possible to stay at home until our kids go to school. I am very lucky that through a series of “coincidences” I managed to create a situation where I can do what I love and stay at home with the kids. I put coincidences in quotation marks because I truly believe that we create our own future through our thoughts and prayers. If we believe it and we put in the hard work it can happen for anyone. The fact that I had a very supportive man at my side that helped with the children, the housework, emotional support not to mention just believing in me was a huge bonus. He also knows just when to produce a chocolate when things get rough!

What was the most unexpected part of becoming a wahm
This probably sounds a bit naïve but I didn’t think it would be so lonely at times. As a freelancer at that stage most of my work was done by email so I could easily go for days without seeing anyone. I slowly got the hang of it and planned my days better so that I could see other moms and take my baby on little outings which made it easier.  I was also surprised to find myself a little judged by full time working moms. It was as if some of them – obviously not all of them – felt it was an excuse not to work, when in my opinion I worked much harder as a WAHM then when I worked in the office.

What has been the hardest part
The hardest part is getting the balance right between work time and family time. Putting the work aside, switching off and just enjoying time with the family. Some days are easier than others but I still struggle with this. If I have a deadline lurking, I still tend to stress too much and put family time off. In the end I might get the job done but I feel so guilty as a mother that it is not worth it. I’m working on that!

What is the most rewarding
The most rewarding thing about being at home is that I’m able to attend my children’s after school activities, see how they are developing into little people – this is just priceless. Having their friends over for playdates or just at a moment’s notice meeting someone for a play in the park is just what it is all about. The most rewarding thing about my work is handing over a project to someone and seeing their appreciation. Knowing I’ve done more than what was asked and the customer enjoying the end product. And I’ll be honest, if it means a lovely pair of new boots at the end of the month – that is great too!

What is your day like
My days vary A LOT. Which is good because I am not a 9 – 5 type of girl. But it means good organisational skills and lots of planning. Which again – I’m working on!
I work in the mornings and then I pick my girly up from school at 12h15. When we get home we have some girly time, read stories, puzzles, practice reading or sometimes just doing nails and chatting about our day. She is an extremely independent and headstrong young lady so this time is very valuable, I don’t know how much longer I’m going to have it!
I pick Andrew up at 14h00 or 15h15 depending what happens after school that day. And then every day is different depending on activities, playdates, shopping or just playing at home. We are very lucky that the two of them get on well. So if I have a deadline and I have to work in the afternoon, the two of them play very well together – most of the time. I probably just jinxed that!
17h00 I usually start cooking and at 18h00 we all sit down to have supper together and after that is getting ready for bed, brushing teeth and story time.
At about 19h30 – 20h00 I start working again. I try to get to bed at about 23h00 but truth be told, it is usually later than that. Sometimes much later! I’m working on that too! I think it is fair to say I am a work in progress 🙂

Tell us about your business
My business is called Red Swirl Design. I do web and graphic design and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) for small to medium size businesses. I do pretty much everything from business cards to pamphlets, both print media and digital. These days a big part of my business is electronic invitations for weddings and birthdays. My favourite thing to do is Wedding websites, I can put so much of the couples personality and likes and dislikes into the website that every website is different. I love that! Even with business websites I try to make everyone different. I want to really capture the business, their target market and the product or service the company delivers. Because it is still a small business I can quite easily work with customers to create something within their budget. We plan the design together so that we can incorporate as many features as they can afford.

Where did business idea and name come from
I have always loved designing. I studied fashion designing after school but there was one little snag…I hate sewing with a passion. I started playing with Photoshop and one day while I was on maternity leave with my first born, my fiancé asked me if I can make a new skin for a software program he worked on. I did it and his boss was so impressed he offered me a job. I started working for them from home going into the office once a week designing a wide range of print and digital media. I just knew I   had found my passion. When another lady in the company went on maternity leave they asked me to manage the website and intranet too so that gave me a foot in the door to develop my web skills more. By then  I had completed various courses including my Webmasters Diploma, so by the time I had my next baby I was confident enough to start doing freelance work. When we moved to South Africa a year ago I decided to stop working as a freelancer and start a business. It took me ages to decide on the name. I played around with various different ideas and logos but I didn’t really like any of it. One day it just kind of …clicked…Red Swirl Design… I wish I had a deep and meaningful explanation but I don’t…it just clicked. I like it.

What sets you apart
What sets me apart…I try to really get to know my clients, I want to create something that is personal to them. Everyone is different so if I use the same generic template it is not going to speak to you or your clients and it is going to be very boring for me. I want to show who you are and what you or your business represent. Because I work from home my prices are lower and because I work odd hours I only take on one or two projects at a time. So you know you will get a lot of personal attention from me.
On a more personal note, since I moved back to South Africa a year ago, I also realised we have a deeper problem here. I have to be careful with what I say here because I don’t want to insult anyone and of course it isn’t everyone, but I have been stunned and shocked at the quality of websites and the nonsense some web-designers tell clients. They tell them anything to get the business, then do a terrible job and a few months later I have to fix the mess. So I am on a mission to educated the people of  South Africa as to what is needed with a website, what you don’t need, what is a waste of money and most importantly what questions to ask. Shop around, speak to designers and get a feel for what they can do for you. Do your own research and designers… be honest with your customers, charge appropriately and don’t forget about your customer once the project is done. Help them where you can so that they can help themselves. We have a very conservative market when it comes to using the internet,  so with this lack of knowledge customers are not confident enough to ask questions and some designers really take advantage of that. And now …stepping off my soapbox!

Where do you see it going

When my youngest goes to primary school I hope to take on more work.  I will be able to work longer hours during the day and maybe even less at night! The business should grow organically so hopefully in time I can take on people to help.  Hopefully I will always be the one dealing with the clients and doing the design work because I love that.


Vernita Kruger
Red Swirl Design


Real Wahms of SA: Laura freelances

Today I feature Laura from Harassed Mom who also happens to be a happily harassed Wahm.
I have mentioned that I love her blog before, she was actually one of the “first well known blogger with a following and stuff” I got up the courage to ask for an interview last year… see HERE and she replied and was friendly and I hyperventilated and she let me do craft posts for BlogShareConnect,and I passed out and now I’m all , “I know that chick really! not really” (because I’m creepy and we have not really met in person). Laura has recently become one half of the SAmomblogs management team… here is her story:

 

Tell us about your family
We are a modern day Brady Bunch. David and I have been together for 6 years, married for 2. We have four children, Cameron, our resident over achieving teenager, Kiara is the creative tween, Jack is the fussy four year old and Emma, the toddler, rules the roost with an iron fist.

Why did you become a work from home mom
When I met David, the older two kids had just started pre-primary and I was realising that they actually needed more of my time than they did when they were babies. I was taking time off work weekly to make sports events, meet with teachers, transport them here and there. I told David it was my goal to be able to be there for them more and so we made a plan to make it happen.

What was the most unexpected part of becoming a wahm
Just how much I would love it. I have never really been one who enjoys not having control or not knowing what is going to happen and being a WAHM nothing is guaranteed, one month could be fantastic and the next month disastrous. I never knew I would learn to accept that and almost prefer it to a normal 9-5 office job.

What has been the hardest part
All the above. The financial uncertainty is probably the hardest part.

What is the most rewarding
Being able to do what I really love and be there for the kids. It’s not all picture perfect but I get it right more often than not and on those days I high five myself a lot!

What is your day like
Mondays and Wednesdays – Up at 6h00 (usually we are awake earlier) to make breakfast and lunches, 6h50 I drop off the middle two kids, 8h00 Yoga, 9h30 – 13h30 I work. (Emma’s nanny comes on a Mon, Wed and Fri). 13h30 – 16h45 is mom taxi time – school pick ups, dancing and swimming. I cook in between all of that – kids at home eat at 17h00. David is home about 18h00, heat eats. Cam gets fetched at 18h30, he eats. Emma goes down at 18h30, Jack down 19h30 and big kids at 20h00. We are usually in bed by then too if we don’t do some work, its usually when David and I chat and catch up.
Tues and Thurs – Emma goes to her granny so I after I have dropped the kids, I start working and then it’s the same routine as Monday and Wed from 13h30.
Fridays – Emma and I go to Moms and Babes at 10h45 – 13h00.

Tell us about your business
Right now I am a freelance writer/blogger. I am also spending a lot of time with Heather on SA Mom Blogs, which is doing really well.

Where did business idea and name come from
It just sort of happened. I have been blogging for years but after a few failed business attempts it was the one thing that remained constant and the income started increasing and led to other freelancing opportunities.

Where do you see it going
Hopefully I can secure a few big regular clients to keep me busy and Heather and I have great plans for SA Mom Blogs.

Real Wahms of SA; Marindi multitasks

Today’s WAHM came across my radar even before I started this series.
I was minding my own business on fb (I lie no one minds their own business on fb) when I saw a post about busy boards and thought OMW! awesome idea!
So I was rather excited when the mind behind the business agreed for me to ask her a few questions and was even more excited to learn she runs an online shop and does photography as well…so here goes; Today’s Wahm is Marindi Fourie

Tell us about your familyWe are a family of four. My husbands name is Gregory. He is a Granite and build in kitchens and cupboards design and installation specialist. We have two children. Kaitlynn our daughter turns 13 the 29th of october and Kaiden our son turns 3 the 15th of october.We live in Strand,Helderberg.

Why did you become a work from home momMy son was a sickly baby. He had to stay with me because he had no imunity to germs. He had all the big ones! Meningitus,Pharingitus,hand mouth and foot,fever fits just to name a few. I remember him getting four different antibiotics in one month! Since his adenoids and tonsils were removed on 18 months old, he is a lot healthier.I needed an income so I started an online shop on bbm and whatsapp in 2012. Www.facebook.com/bubblebar has been my job since then. I want to build it up again but so little time does not allow me to do this currently.

What was the most unexpected part of becoming a wahmAll the work is overwhelming sometimes, as a mom working from home I did not expect my family still thinking mom has to do Everything. I sometimes find myself doing washing and dishes and cleaning everyday as fast as possible so I can get back to business.

What has been the hardest partTime management. And a 2 year 11 month old that refuses to go to a daymother or school. Most nights I work untill 3am in the morning, sending emails or organising and building boards just to realise as I fall into bed that my husband does not have ironed pants to wear in the morning.Getting everything done in one day really takes #mompower!

What is the most rewardingBeing able to be around my soon to be 3 year old boy and 13 year old daughter everyday. I am very involved in their lives. And except for my daughter going to school during the day , my husband , my mom and I are the only ones involved in their upbringing. The other big reward in my life is to be able to bring in an income and buy a little extra for us.

What is your day likeI wake up at 6 to see my daughter off to school and my husband off to work. Because I only get in bed in the morning hours I then get back into bed, do an hour of marketing and only get up at 8-9, round the time my toddler wakes up. I then make sure we eat and get toys out for him to play with , the Busy Bee Board helps a lot to get through the morning hours. Inbetween working and teaching and talking to my toddler i wash one load of washing,fold,pack away,make beds, clean what i can see. At 1:30 i leave to pick up my daughter from school, get shopping done,library or whatever else needs to be done. We are normally back home by 4. My son then goes to sleep and my daughter does homework. I use this time to start dinner. Wash dishes hang washing fold the morning load and inbetween i answer emails and messages and facebook posts. Take orders and do marketing. My husband gets home anytime from 5:30-7:30. We eat together and chat about 10 min. Kids and us all take a shower after eachother. Our 12 year old goes to bed around 9 and we then start making board orders. Toddler goes to bed around 9:30-10. Then I put all my attention on Business whether its making boards, new advertising. Selling etc. I literally fall into bed between 2 and 4 in the morning!

Tell us about your business.I am a professional photographer, own bubblebar online shop and Busy Bee Boards for busy toddlers.


Where did the business idea and name come from.Busy Bee Boards started when I was out of ideas of what would keep my toddler busy everyday. He knows how The tv remotes works. He loves pick a boo and word and excell on my laptop. He plays pazzingo on my phone, he takes pictures with my phone. He plays candy crush on my tablet etc. He understands technology like he has been busy with it for years. He has things that makes noises. He builds legos and big blocks and pipe blocks, he has paint and dough and books galore. He has guns and musical instruments and small and big toys. A bike etc. And yet something was missing. So I made a busy board and whalla…. I can get on with building my business!

What sets you apart.I truly believe in my product! I use it myself. My son plays with his Busy Bee Board everyday and I have had compliment from people about how skilled he is in working with fine and small things. He holds a pen the way a grown up does, he draws this way, and many times i have overheard people pointing and saying look how he holds that pen. If you know your product and truly believe in it, then you will be successful.

  Where do you see it going.I would like to pick up Bubblebar before Christmas again. With my photography ,i would like to become a birth photographer as my passion lies with newborns,babies,kids,maternity and family photography. I also enjoy taking portraits. For Busy Bee Boards I would like to grow into a fully functional 9-5 business. With employees and a factory. I would like to supply big toy shops and local supermarkets. That is my dream. Tired of technology and the many many plastic toys for kids? Get back to basics, get a busy bee board!

Links: 
Website: