1. How did your company begin?
When my maternity leave was up after my son was born, I returned to my job in investment marketing. Soon, the realities of leaving him in daycare for 10 to 11hours a day set in. I felt I wasn’t getting the best time with him; our evenings were rushed and we were both crabby from a long day. I had to do something; I was losing this precious time with him. I received so many compliments on the photos I was taking of him, and with my background in fine arts it seemed like a fateful next step. I was lucky to be able to take the time that I needed to set up my business, learn my craft, and discover my style.
2. What is the biggest challenge in being a mom entrepreneur?
I think it’s always a challenge to manage your time and separate work from home life. I’m lucky that most of my work can be done at odd hours and, if need be, in small chunks.
3. What are some of your greatest successes?
I always feel having a client return to work with me again is a great compliment, but having clients from BC look me up, while they are vacationing in Ontario, is the biggest compliment!
4. How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?
I think having a physically separate work area is essential. I currently have a home office set up that is visually appealing, functional, and entirely my space. It’s right by my front door, so I don’t have to worry about my clients walking through my entire house. This means I don’t have to worry about having the entire main floor cleaned up for quick client order pickups! I also dress accordingly, ready to be seen or go out, and try to follow a loose schedule every day; it keeps me in “work mode,” even if I don’t have any client meetings or shoots that day.
5. What tips can you offer to other busy mom entrepreneurs?
Take your time to set up your business, know your market, talk to and listen to your friends and associates who are in similar businesses, and share knowledge. Don’t expect instant success; be prepared to have a couple of years with little income, and don’t be discouraged by that. Have a specific place to work uninterruptedly, and, if possible, have a schedule for your day.
6. Why do you think women are good entrepreneurs?
I think women have always found ways to use their special skills, talents, and ideas. The recent “Mompreneur” movement has simply been a way of commercializing these skills and building work around families.