15 minute read
The Mum in Business Award
For a woman who is juggling motherhood and business and has shown great growth in their business in the last twelve months.
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THE MUM IN BUSINESS AWARD
Life is what you bake it!
Maggie Dmochowski was the winner of The Mum in Business Award in 2021. She started Adelaide Bakes in 2016 after the birth of her son to teach the skills, techniques and recipes she’d spent 12 years perfecting. Then found her absolute passion in teaching and mentoring bakers! After 4 years of teaching hands-on classes to hundreds of students she went online, to reach more amazing bakers, and impart her passion for the baking industry. Her greatest goal is to inspire and encourage bakers of all levels to try new techniques, and impact and support those who are in the business of baking to maintain high standards in the industry.
Iwant every parent out there who has a burning desire to start a business, who is listening to training and podcasts in nap times, who is making plans while feeding, whose baby isn't sleeping through the night yet, but you have the ambition to start or grow a business, you can totally do it.
After winning The Mum in Business Award in 2021, Maggie Dmochowski's acceptance speech was filled with pride and gratitude, but she also wanted to inspire and empower other parents with the same fire in their belly to go for it.
We wanted to dive even deeper into Maggie's journey of running an evergrowing business alongside her growing family, and the wisdom she can share with other mums.
// The Mum in Business Award holds a special place in our collective hearts, because the entire SAW team know the realities of the business and motherhood juggle! What do you find to be most fulfilling about running a business alongside family life?
I love having something that I’ve created. I’ve taken a series of thoughts from my mind and built a beautiful business that I absolutely love. The juggle isn’t always easy, but I find it so rewarding, and it’s something I think is a tremendous gift. I love the flexibility it gives our family, being able to create a schedule that fits our life, and being there for the most important things in life. I don’t have to miss the first days of school or special assemblies; I can craft my week around those special moments. // Motherhood certainly has its share of memorable moments! What has helped you to stay focused and determined in growing Adelaide Bakes?
I think that it’s so important to embrace the different seasons of motherhood. Even at some of the hardest times, having something for myself, somewhere else to focus and direct my attention, something that was mine and that I felt fulfilled in was a huge help and gave me energy. I also think it’s great for our children to see us working and to see what it takes to achieve goals or follow dreams; I also love for them to see what is possible because of it. I love to think that I’ll set an example for both of my children that we can achieve the things we set our minds to and that life and business can be so fun and fulfilling.
// What advice would you love to pass on to other mothers thinking of starting their own business?
The biggest piece of advice I’d love to share is that we’re not meant to be doing this alone - surround yourself with others who are doing it, those who are in it, and who are just a few steps ahead. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and to take messy action. Business isn’t always glamorous, and so much happens behind the scenes to keep everything running, especially in the early days. Well-meaning family and friends who maybe aren’t business owners might see the challenges and question why we’re doing it. It’s so important to keep the bigger picture in mind. The path to success isn’t linear, there will be times you want to quit, and there will be successes and curveballs. We might feel like we’re going around in circles at times too, but know that every stage brings something to learn, and that you will learn more in the doing than anywhere else. You’ll also learn more about yourself than you ever imagined.
To read Maggie's acceptance speech in full, follow this QR code.
Discover more about Adelaide Bakes at adelaidebakes.com.au
Beck Woodland, Inky Soda, was the People's Choice Winner of The Mum in Business Award in 2021.
THE MUM IN BUSINESS AWARD
2022 Finalists
SIAN BURTON
Sian Burton is a Marketing Consultant and Business Coach to female business owners in Private Practice. Over the last five years, Sian has supported over 4,000 practice owners worldwide to identify how to kick start their growth in a way that gives them time back with their family instead of taking it away. As the creator of the Abundant Referrals™️ marketing system, Sian has a tried and tested approach to marketing your practice that is guaranteed to fill your practice's caseload to capacity. An approach that has helped thousands of female practice owners to grow their new client referrals by an average of 75% - some even more.
To connect with Sian Burton and discover more about her, follow this QR code. What has been your biggest triumph in your business?
My biggest triumph has definitely been hitting the $500k turnover mark working three days a week.
I made myself a promise I wouldn't have my kids in daycare any more than that and being able to achieve exponential growth and stay true to that promise has been amazing.
That you are going to fail and fail again.
Failure isn't what is important, it is your ability to pick yourself back up and try again.
Business is a process of growth.
There is no such thing as perfection, just progress.
In 5 years from now, what would you love to be celebrating?
Five years from now, I would love to be celebrating a multi-7 figure business that is supporting thousands of women practice owners to achieve everything they have ever dreamed of in their practice and still being able to be the mama they want to be at home.
To connect with Sally Harding and discover more about her business, follow this QR code.
SALLY HARDING, KX PILATES
Sally is a Mum of two, a proud Master Trainer, and Owner of KX Pilates at Christies Beach - bringing 50 minute, high intensity reformer pilates workouts to the South of Adelaide. KX Pilates Christies Beach is suitable for every body, targeting each client's health and fitness goals with a boutique studio environment, and the ability to adapt to our clientele's needs. KX Pilates Christies Beach is an empowering, supportive and nurturing space, welcoming for everyone that walks through the doors.
My kids are my why. Creating a business that was adaptable, flexible and gave me the freedom to bring my children to work with me was key. Connection has always been a personal daily need, so after so much isolation during the impactful COVID years, it naturally made me want to create a business where I was able to be face-to-face with my community every day - and have the flexibility of caring for my kids/bringing them along as I wanted. Working from home was never my goal as a Mum in Business, so to teach my children the art of having a impact on others, every day, is so rewarding.
Throughout the ups and downs, how have you stayed true to your vision?
Mentorship and Coaching is something that is so valuable to me in business. It's been something that's kept me on track and true to the long game. Having a touchpoint weekly, fortnightly or monthly helps me vent the troubles and stresses, while also shifting the goal posts as needed to insure success.
What has been your biggest triumph? Starting a business is pretty remarkable and scary, however selling my previous business had so much emotion involved, and was a really difficult hurdle to overcome. Being able to sell a business is a huge achievement, and creating something so powerful that someone else wanted to captain the ship, that's something I am so proud of.
What change do you want to see for women in your industry? Women supporting women is something that will continue to grow and flourish, which is something I'll advocate for daily. The fitness industry needs to see a large fight against diet culture, and more of a emphasis on movement for fitness, mental health and living a healthy, happier life.
THE MUM IN BUSINESS AWARD TEGAN RADLOFF, MYCLAYCO
What key moments led you to starting your business? After having my son I decided that I didn’t want to go back to my previous banking role, having no worklife balance or time to spend with my son. Polymer clay became important to me whilst on maternity leave as it gave me a creative outlet to unwind with. The idea of starting a polymer clay cutter business arose when I was looking for Australian-themed and stud-sized cutters and couldn’t find any. I am now proud to say that I am a self-taught polymer clay artist and 3D printing technician, and have helped to fill this gap in the market. I owe my knowledge and skills to the countless hours I spent researching while breastfeeding so that I had the theory to put into practice during my son’s naptimes. I built my first 3D printer in early 2020 and in November 2020 launched the website for MyClayCo.
What is the biggest thing you have learnt from being in business? With determination and dedication, we can achieve anything. Three years ago, I had no polymer clay or 3D printing experience - today, I run a successful polymer clay and 3D printing business from a commercially leased studio and employ two other people. I feel lucky every day that my hobbies - polymer clay and 3D printing - have become my job and that it gives me the flexibility to spend plenty of time with my son.
What obstacles and opportunities have you found from being a woman in business?
My biggest obstacle has probably been managing the business and my son in times of sickness and COVID isolation periods. At times like these I need to drop back to the bare minimum and work smarter. That often means getting up earlier to reply to emails and prepare 3D prints, utilising my son’s nap times to design, and spending my evenings interacting with my customers on social media. I have also found it challenging to navigate running my own business. I am so grateful to all of the female entrepreneurs and small business owners, as well as the polymer clay community, for being so supportive. There seems to be a special kind of kinship between female business owners. It has not been the cutthroat and competitive world I expected. Instead, these women have been my cheerleaders and helped to spur me on in moments of self doubt. MyClayCo is a proud South Australian business, selling polymer clay and jewellery making supplies. Their flagship product is their wide range of unique cutters that are all designed and 3D printed in-house. Their cutters are used to create jewellery and homewares by polymer clay artists all over the world. MyClayCo also run polymer clay workshops to teach aspiring polymer clay artists the basics of polymer clay. MyClayCo was founded by Tegan, a self-taught 3D printing technician and polymer clay artist. Her vision is to become Australia’s top polymer clay supplies business and the world’s leading polymer clay cutter store.
To connect with Tegan Radloff and discover more about her business, follow this QR code.
To connect with Katie Bode and discover more about her business, follow this QR code.
KATIE BODE, BEBE LUXE
But to know me is to know my journey over the last 11 years to parenthood, which has truly shaped me. My husband and I have always had fertility issues. During this time I needed a distraction and something else to focus on - if three children weren’t already enough of a distraction! I was focused on something that gave me a creative outlet and I strived to create something that other mothers need. In May 2020, we welcomed our perfect rainbow baby Jack, and also launched Bebe Luxe. Over the last 2 years, Bebe Luxe has grown with my family and I am inspired by my needs as a mother of 4 young children.
What key moments led you to starting your business? I've experienced many parenting challenges, slowly discovering what works and more importantly, what does not. I found that keeping baby safe from germs, out of the elements and being able to breastfeed while still wearing my regular clothes was a huge challenge. After years of planning, I found the solution, the Bebe Luxe Multi-Use Cover. I am a big believer in colour psychology and the positive effect it has on people of all ages. I found there weren’t many colourful fabric designs available for baby products, so I decided to draw my own vibrant fun designs. From the Multi-Use Cover our range has grown from just baby products to also a picnic range, clutches, quick dry towels and we are about to launch a dog range.
What do you love most about being in business? I love having the opportunity to be as creative as I like without any limitations. I have been so lucky to meet so many other amazing business women through my interstate travels to different expos. The support and friendships from the women I have met over the last 2 years has been incredible. I truly believe to be a successful women in life and business, it isn't counted in monetary terms, but on how you conduct yourself to every person you come across. Whether it is a positive or negative interaction, you don't get anywhere in life by pulling those around you down, but by uplifting and supporting each other. What has being involved in the 2022 SA Woman Awards brought to your life? It has given me confidence and validation in myself and my brand. I was so honoured to be nominated and then to be a finalist is beyond what I expected. Having a little girl myself, I feel so proud to be a women in business. I have loved showing her all these other amazing women in business and explaining all the different award categories. Being nominated for this award makes me feel incredibly proud to be a mother in business and also to be a small business based in South Australia. Winning this award would make me feel as though I have set a wonderful example for my children that Mums can work, grow and follow their dreams, whilst also being present in their lives.
THE MUM IN BUSINESS AWARD
My name is Michelle Majder and I am a 52 year old mother of 7 children ranging from 9-30 years of age. I have been a registered nurse for 30 years, a nursing educator for 15 years and am currently doing a law degree. Workforce Extensions North Adelaide Health is a nursing agency that both Marie Caperna (my business partner and also a mother) had talked about for many years and had a vision that we could provide a high standard of nursing care to the people of South Australia. I have been able to juggle the role of motherhood, a business owner and a nurse - as we all know that behind a strong woman is another strong woman. It is this partnership between two determined women that is making changes to the healthcare industry in South Australia. I also want to recognise the amazing support of my husband, I really couldn’t do any of this without him.
To connect with Michelle Majder and discover more about her business, follow this QR code. What key moments led you to starting your business?
Workforce Extensions North Adelaide Health was a business in planning over many years. Both Marie and I knew that as two women with strong relationships with staff and students in healthcare, that we could make a difference to vulnerable people in South Australia.
The key moment for us came when we heard and saw elderly residents with a lack of nursing care during COVID, we knew then that we had an obligation to start a nursing agency that provided an individualised level of care for these residents.
What do you love most about being in business?
Both Marie and I now employ a large team of nursing and healthcare professionals that have previously been our students. This has been so wonderful to watch them provide care to the standards that we have been advocating for, for so many years. Working in business gives you the opportunity to provide positive role models for younger nurses who are planning to juggle motherhood and a professional career in healthcare.
What has being involved in the 2022 SA Woman Awards brought to your life? I am so grateful to have been nominated for this award, as nurses will never tell you they are deserving of this recognition. We nurse because we love it, we want to be a part of a patient going through the journey of their healthcare from start to finish. I want to tell someone that their day will be better tomorrow and that we are there to support them.
The healthcare industry has and is going to see many changes as a result of COVID. Now is the time for women who have a vision to make positive changes to enable the people of South Australia to receive healthcare at the highest standard. The recognition of this award will allow our business to contribute to these changes.
