Susannagh Grogan with her son Gabriel
Being a full-time mother is one of the most demanding jobs you can do. Running your own business is no walk in the park either. But combining the two?
It might sound like a one-way ticket to burn-out and nervous breakdown, but it's becoming a choice for more and more women. Across the water, mothers are responsible for a rise in the number of entrepreneurs with the number of self-employed women rising at almost three times the rate of men.
For these four Irish women, being your own boss actually delivers the flexibility to enable full-time, or close to full-time motherhood.
These are serious businesses, all of which bring in earnings of at least the national minimum wage (around €18,000), if not substantially in excess of that. All require huge amounts of time, much of which comes in the evenings and at weekends, together with bags of energy and commitment.
You've heard of work/life balance? This is one way of getting it.
'BEING A MOTHER COMES FIRST'
Susannagh Grogan
Mother of one
Susannagh Grogan Scarves
Susannagh Grogan Scarves specialises in silk scarves, which Susannagh sells through her site, and through a range of international stores.
"I was a freelance[1] print designer for 15 years. Back then, I worked in New York, London and Cape Town[2] , designing for a range of clients, including Macy's[3] , Tommy Hilfiger[4] , Estee Lauder, Victoria's Secret[5] , Velvet[6] and Liz Claiborne[7] .
"I stopped working to have Gabriel, who is now seven. But I always wanted my own business. Susannagh Grogan Designs grew from a small start when I noticed scarves were making a big resurgence. I printed a small collection and that sold out really quickly.
"After that, everything grew slowly and organically. It actually wasn't all that difficult, and I did have great support from my local enterprise board in Dún Laoghaire and Rathdown from the Craft Council.
"I've grown the business every year since I started in 2009, and demand is really strong now. This year, I got a big commission from Anthropologie[8] , which is a large international store. I've continued to develop my range and introduced printed leather bags, gloves and wool scarves to go along with the silk ones.
"I've developed the commission side too, and sell into boutiques and shops. I also exhibit in the UK at the Saatchi Gallery Fashion trade show, Scoop International.
"But my number one commitment is still Gabriel. Being a mother comes first. Two days a week he goes to after-school, and that's when I work. I work when he's in bed too of course, and on the weekends. Sometimes he's in the car with me or on the floor of the studio while I work.
"I try to work around him as best I can, but sometimes it's just not possible and if I have a deadline then the TV goes on!
"My business swallows as much time as any serious career but I'm answerable only to myself, and I have total control of how I split the responsibility. I work around Gabriel and I work smart. There's very little wasted time."
'IT'S A 24/7 ROLE EVERY DAY'
Clionadh Lynders Twomey
Mother of two
The Sweet Treat Company
Clionadh Lynders Twomey runs The Sweet Treat Company, which specialises in supplying candy buffets to weddings, parties and corporate events.
"I spent 20 years in the fashion industry before I had our children. I was a senior buyer for Dunnes Stores[9] so it involved a lot of international travelling. It sounds very glamorous, and it was until my twin boys arrived in 2005. Then I had to think about what was best for our family. Going from a senior corporate position to being a stay-at-home mum was difficult, but I was very conscious of what my priorities were.
"When the boys started school, I decided to try and start a business that could work around their schedule.
"At the time there was a number of sweet shops arriving on to the Irish market, but there was no one doing stylish candy buffets, which were really popular and very much on trend in the US and Australia[10] . That's how the business got started.
"It's not easy. I get up just before six so that I have two hours to work before the boys get up. Then I work when they go to school. I don't work in the afternoons, because I'm doing homework and bringing them where they need to go. When they go to bed, I start again, and keep going until whatever time, and I also work weekends.
"My husband Brian does all the weekend runs, bringing them to matches and so on. He's fantastic – there's no way I'd be able to do it without him.
"There's no doubt about it, it's a massive juggle, a 24/7 role every day of the year but it has paid off. We've won numerous awards including Best Wedding Industry Newcomer and Most Unique Wedding Supplier at the Wedding Oscars[11] .
"When I started the business, it was primarily sweet candy buffets, but the clients loved the displays I created. So now, I sell all my props and accessories online and ship them worldwide.
"I'm blessed with my parents. They're just a phone call away and if I'm going to be busy, they are ready to lend their support."
'WORK IS EXCITING BUT FRUSTRATING'
Fidelma Greene
Mother of three
Change Management Specialist
Fidelma Greene is a Change Management Specialist who works with companies and leaders seeking to grow and develop their businesses.
"When I was made redundant from my IT job in 2002, it was such a shock to the system. My whole identity was in that company. With hindsight, however, I actually think my redundancy was a gift.
"I decided to retrain in coaching where I could use my people and leadership skills. It took a while to establish myself and build up my coaching hours but it was exciting as well, because there was a certain freedom. I could do what I wanted to do, I could be my own boss. By the time my first child, Katelyn, arrived in 2005, I was able to do my coaching from home on the phone and over Skype[12] .
"Our twin girls, Sophie and Lauren, arrived three years later. I balance the two roles by working during the hours they're in school, and I have a child-minder in the afternoons for three days a week when needed. Then I network in the evenings. I've designed my work to fit in around my family life.
"My husband Paul has been great too. He could really see the talent in me, and encouraged me every step of the way.
"Now is an exciting time for my business but I have had many frustrating moments when I wanted to grow it faster than the time allowed. But I don't have any regrets, because I've been around our children during the most important years of their lives.
"I want the freedom to have time with the family and yet still have a business. A lot of people think that you can't do that but it is possible. If you're passionate about what you're doing, that passion will drive you through the challenges."
'I'M MAKING GOOD MONEY'
Helena Casey
Mother of two
Precious Prints
Helena Casey runs Precious Prints. She creates bespoke jewellery and keepsakes that capture the hand, finger or footprints of a loved one.
"After I had my second child in 2009, I did the maths and putting the two children in full-time childcare was too expensive. Instead, I began looking for something to do from home.
"I researched tons of ideas, and came across the jewellery by chance when I was looking for a gift for my husband.
"I was kind of intrigued, so I started looking into the process behind it, and realised that it was something that I could learn. The set-up costs weren't huge, so if it didn't work, it was okay, bye bye to my savings, but there wasn't going to be a huge bank loan.
"I've just finished my third year in business and now I'm making some decent money.
"Last year, I started collaborating with other craft organisations, in particular Dublin Crystal.
"We had a big hit with Christmas[13] decorations engraved with children's hand and foot prints, and I'm also working with a crafts person who engraves prints on to sterling silver.
"It gives me great flexibility. I can scale back the marketing during the summer when the kids are off, and ramp it back up then during the winter.
"My little girl is going into senior infants this year and my little boy is starting his Montessori year so this will be the first year that I will have five free mornings to work, which will be phenomenal.
"That's what I've been waiting for. I will have so much more time, so I've plans to scale up even more. I'll do more advertising, do more fairs and really build the business."
Irish Independent
References
- ^ freelance (searchtopics.independent.ie)
- ^ Cape Town (searchtopics.independent.ie)
- ^ Macy's (searchtopics.independent.ie)
- ^ Tommy Hilfiger (searchtopics.independent.ie)
- ^ Victoria's Secret (searchtopics.independent.ie)
- ^ Velvet (searchtopics.independent.ie)
- ^ Liz Claiborne (searchtopics.independent.ie)
- ^ Anthropologie (searchtopics.independent.ie)
- ^ Dunnes Stores (searchtopics.independent.ie)
- ^ Australia (searchtopics.independent.ie)
- ^ Oscars (searchtopics.independent.ie)
- ^ Skype (searchtopics.independent.ie)
- ^ Christmas (searchtopics.independent.ie)
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