Mum running a food business skills while parenting

Launching a Wedding Beauty Business – Pretty Please by Katie

Tell us your name and a bit about your family? When did you become a Mum and to whom?

I became a mum on July 7th 2014. I remember it well ( i haven’t slept properly since!!) , I was overdue, id had the obligatory curry for dinner in an attempt to get things moving and then it began….. Just 8 hours later Felicity was in my arms. I was in shock for a good few days afterwards – what on earth had just happened?! How do I look after this baby?! What if I do it wrong?! Felicity is two years old now and I’m very proud to say she is the loveliest little girl ( I’m not biased at all!) so I must have done ok! My photographer husband Simon, our bichon frise fluffball Sunday, Felicity and I have recently moved to the countryside and into our new home and I’m pleased to report that life is pretty good!

What’s your business called?

My business is called Pretty Please by Katie

Can you describe it in one sentence?

I transform women from their daily selves into beautiful brides

When did you become a Mumpreneur and what inspired you?

After having Felicity I began to take my hair and make up business a lot more seriously. Where was I going with this? What was I trying to achieve? I decided to specialise in bridal. It was more lucrative, more controlled hours, and I could see that i would benefit personally from more job satisfaction working with brides on their wedding day. I work well under pressure, I’m creative and like every hairdresser – I can chat! For me my drive was the flexibility. Being able to be my own boss means that I can ( within reason!) choose my hours. I work evenings and weekends mainly which fits perfectly with my family. Felicity hasnt had to spend time in day care, i’m around to watch her grow, to teach her, to take her places and i love that. I love it that won’t miss Felicitys first day at school or her christmas play. I can work as much or as little as I like. If I want to take her on holiday and buy her nice things i can book more clients, if I want some time at home to potty train – I can book it off!!

How did you fund your start up?

Im proud to say that i managed to start my business myself. I spent many hours creating, branding, researching, writing documents, promoting myself at wedding fairs, on social media etc but hard work really does pay off. I didn’t have any type of investment or ‘money pot’, I attended every free course and networking event I could in order to meet people and learn from them. Im very proud of what I have achieved.

How do you manage working around your children?

I try to restrict myself so I’m not out every evening. i generally will send three full days with felicity at home and then three days at work. Even then ill schedule clients so i get up with her in the morning or I’m home in time to put her to bed. Sunday is my day off, thats our family time and thats really important. Balance is the key.

Can you describe a typical day, what tasks do you have to get done, how do you manage your time?

On a typical day ill be up early, have a little bit of time with Felicity, get ready and leave the house by 8am to get to my brides location. The average wedding party probably takes around 5 hours so i might work from 9-2pm. Sometimes after this ill head home or sometimes ill go onto another location to meet another bride that has booked me for their wedding hair and make up. This bride will have whats called a preview session where we complete her hair and make up look so she can decide exactly what she wants to look like on her big day. Then ill head home in time for bath, bottle and bed ( and a glass of wine if I’m lucky!)

What challenges have you faced in your business and how have you overcome them?

Becoming a mum was a challenge in itself. It added another full time role to my life. Time is an awful thing, it goes far too fast! I often found myself saying ‘theres not enough hours in the day’. I soon learnt that everything is about priorities. Once i sat down and really paid attention to what my personal priorities were, and put boundaries in place to protect these , life got much easier. I would always try to fit everything and everyone in, in order to keep them happy. I didn’t want to turn anyone away – what if they went to someone else? But now i don’t worry about that. If they go elsewhere thats fine. If they want for me and my next available slot then thats even better! Im much more focused on what I’m doing, and the life I’m living nowadays to have the time to worry about pleasing everyone else! Again, its all about the balance and even if it takes time you do get there in the end!

What’s the best thing about being Mumpreneur?

Creating something that I’m proud of, and being able to show Felicity that mummy works hard so she can have nice things. being able to show her that i really do love my job, and one day she will find a job she loves too! When I go off to work now i tell her I’m going to make the ladies pretty , she replies ‘mummy , work, lady , pretty hair’, silly as that sounds that really does make me proud!

What are your plans for the future?

Im a qualified tutor so my plans are to start offering training course and education that i have created myself. I can see where the gaps are from my own training and I’m going to work hard to fill them! I love the idea that i can inspire and educate others.

What advice would you give for someone just starting out in business?

Believe in yourself and go with your gut. There are a million reasons why it might not work, but as long as you have one reason that you believe it will – go for it! Things will change and things will evolve and as you go along your ideas and plans might change completely – thats ok too! There are no rules. when its your business – you make the rules! Be nice to everyone. You’re not better than anyone else, nor are they better than you. everyone is at a different point, with a different story. Find someone who inspires and motivates you. surround yourself with people that lift you up and push you to be better than you ever imagined you could be. Sometimes you will fall down, and that ok, because these people will help pick you up.

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