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!