In our special Mother’s Day feature we talk to five women who combine motherhood with running a successful business. This week it’s Kim Good from Import Ants.
What does the ideal Mother’s Day look like for you?
Oh this is an easy one. A bit of a sleep in, followed by breakfast with my daughter in our backyard.
Tips for combining motherhood and a successful business?
Honesty. Sometimes you have to prioritise work over family and I have always found that if you speak honestly with your children and explain why you need to do this on this particular occasion, although they might still not be happy with it, they do understand. Obviously the discussion needs to be age specific but even very young children can understand that you can’t be in two places at once. When my daughter was little and I had to do this I would set a date to be just with her that gave us something we could both look forward to.
Leave work at work would be my other tip. Even if you are working from home, set a start time and an end time. Like most businesses Import Ants started at home. It took me some time to learn this. With a new business you are so excited by every order that it is hard not to keep looking at the emails, but you do need separation from work and home. So don’t do a load of washing while you are working and don’t look at work when you have finished for the day.
What are your best-sellers for Mother’s Day?
Our Eco Max Brushes have a range of body brushes that are a perfect gift for Mother’s Day. Body brushing is a few minutes for a busy mother to take time out to care for herself and the gentle act of brushing helps to release stress. We have this year created these beautiful pamper packs that combine a body brush with natural soaps and cleansing oils in a plant based Sinamay bag.
What is the one piece of advice that your mum gave you that you still follow today?
Don’t take yourself too seriously. Mum could always see the funny side of things and taught me that it helps to laugh at yourself rather than beat yourself up over your mistakes. It’s amazing how many mother child situations can be helped by a little joint humour. Laughter really is the best medicine.
Mother’s Day visual merchandising tips for retailers?
Don’t over-clutter you displays with too many different options and work in triangles. Think of a simple pyramid with its triangular shape which draws the eye from the edges upward towards the top. Displays without a structure tend to leave the eye to wander and not hold the viewer’s attention.
Make sure you check out our digital Mother’s Day magazine. Click here to read it now!
