Busy weeks

Busy is an understatement in the current activities I am working on.

However, things are progressing really well, and I am glad things are moving on the right track. Website is delayed due to some reasons and we are just wanting to present "perfect site" for our customers. So, a little wait is inevitable. Having said that, we are also glad that we have fixed a date for the launch. So, watch this space!

Next is to discuss exclusivity with our principals. I am really glad the enquiries are coming to me. Seems like the little dream both me and my sis are bearing may happen next year!

Juggling multiple roles ain's easy feat, nonetheless, I am enjoying!

Next I want to do is to ensure I pass my driving test and save some time on chauffering the kids to school!

Don't Get Too Excited

This serves as a daily reminder to myself.

I was overwhelmed when we were awarded with a chance for expansion for the business, we overlooked certain important factors at that moment.

When I sat down, think over it with a calm and peaceful mind, i came up with a checklists on whatever possible questions that I may have towards that opportunity.

"We are not ready!"

This came to my mind at that instance. I knew, even my partner is aware and we discussed over this opportunity seriously and decided to hold back our decision.

Whenever we are excited and hyped about something, we will overlook certain risks. I am thankful that we did not act on impulse as there are also calculated risks involved in this whole process. We need to work on this very carefully especially when the original "baby" is not even officially born!

We are mindful about each step we take. Remember, always sit down with a paper and pen, write down whatever questions that runs over your mind, jot them down and re-visit the next day with a fresh mind and make a best decision for yourself and the business.

Maximizing Time

Smart phone is a very essential device for me.

Ferrying the kid to and fro her classes and lessons, I would steal some time to check and reply urgent emails. At times, I will also check on the websites, do my research all on the phone, with a notebook to jot down all information I need.

Indeed it can be pretty tedious and stressful at times, however I have learnt to take things easier. Not-so-urgent emails, I will reply at home. Anything that needs discussions, I will KIV and discuss with my partner, and conclude on a decision before I reply.

Yes, I am a more impatient and impulsive person especially when it comes to doing my own business as it all seems so exciting! Having said that, in order to make the right decisions, I need to give myself about 3 days to think over the major issues and set a checklist to ask myself the pros and cons of doing certain things before coming to a business decision.

Juggling between family and business is a challenge. I need to learn to relax my state of mind whenever information comes to me. By doing this, it actually helps me to see a clearer picture and in a better position to make a wiser decision for the business.

We Challenge Each Other

That is the role for us sisters when we work together.

We were overwhelmed that we have so much more to look forward to when there are new possiblities involved. However, when we sat down quietly and think over...we decided to pace ourselves at a pace we both are more comfortable with. Yes, no risk, no gain.

We now have a few things to look into, the main is capital.

Relistically speaking, this is the "heart"for the business as we need to pump in money consistently in order to get involved in a bigger scale project.

We are gald our suppliers are also making adjustments for us, as they fully understand we are a smaller set up compared to big companies. Resources scarcity has always been an issue for us.

Now that I have a partner, we always challenge one another to get things settled. We are more on track now, shipping all settled by Anna, I settle all the others like order forecast and sourcing.

It is really great fun to work on something I really enjoy! Though the returns is really small now, as it is a start, I hope we can do well!

Nothing Is Impossible

The key to success is to capitalize in your own strengths and make more out of it. We must learn to embrace our own shortcomings and strengths, finding our potential from there. Thus accepting ourselves as who we are is very important.

Someone once mentioned, it is tough to have Mommies in the team. This is sheer discrimination and a person who said this will not be a good leader wherever this person goes to.

I try very hard not to compare myself with others.

At times when I started to do research and tried on to get in some clothings to sell out of pure interest in shopping for the kids, Mom went, "are you earning money?", "earn so little money might as well go out and work". A few friends also sneer at the idea of me being a Mompreneur asking me, "you sure can make money meh?" "you are earning a good pay, why want to get into something so risky?"

I was disturbed. At the same time, I also faced challenges then and makes me really depressed but I didn't share anything with anyone, even Hubby. I told mom, this isn't the real business I am going into, I am doing it for the fun and PASSION of it. If I myself have doubts on what I am doing, I should just pack and go back and be someone's employee!

Pessimissm never rules my mind and my heart. The more negative people around me gets, the more motivated and determined I am to PROVE others wrong. Having said that, I will have to have a clear mind. I know Mom didn't mean bad by saying those, she just felt it's a waste I gave up a good career to be a Mompreneur, setting myself in a very challenging path.

The key focus that gets me going, I want to be successful myself and focus on doing something where my PASSION lies. Very importantly, a like-minded business partner who can share my PASSION and DREAM. Hand-in hand, we shall complement each other and work hard towards fulfilling building our own business.

Eversince I started on this, I never looked back. Nothing is impossible, the more open my mind is, there is a higher possibility that leads me to more possibilities.

Find the Right Business Partner

Toughest among all other things I guess. Getting a right partner who shares the same vision, is not as easy as A B C. It takes a lot of understanding with each other, a lot of mutual agreements and compromises needed to compliment one another.

I started out all alone. Battling the negotiations, thinking about the buisness plan that works best for myself and the business, working on a limited start up capital and managing a household at the same time is not an easy task that can be described over a few words.

Having said that, I still took on the role bravely. Some may think I am impulsive, but it took me a pretty steep learning curve from a start. A lot of research, a lot of time taken to read up on every single product that I shortlisted to carry them on my web store.

I do not have any special skills. I am not good with craft works, not good in drawings, not patient enough for sewing etc...I need to depend on ready products that benefits people at large that is not found in Sg at this moment.

No one can understand how happy I felt when my sis finally told me she is ready to join me. Having an extra pair of hands to assist is really great news! Though at this point she is helping with the logistics, it is already enough as this is her profession. She knows how to bring in the goods at lower shipping cost and we will weigh the pros and cons.

So, what am I selling? Many people ask. I am keeping mum about it for the time being and keeping everyone in suspense. I will reveal more when my website is more ready and share with friends.

What's Best About Working From Home?

Every Mom will agree...the best is watching our kids thrive under our tender loving care and witnessing their milestones!

I am glad to see Brayden walking to the charts and point out number and alphabets to me, at times when his mood is good, he can even read simple words.

This is sheer bliss! What more can I ask for?

Remember My Focus

This is a short article to share but an inportant one for those who wanted to start any kind of business.

Always remember to F.O.C.U.S. on what you set out to and never lose track. Many a times, I chance upon products that really arouses my interest, and I would waste time reading up and doing research for something that is not what I wanted to do.

Nowadays, I would write down the website and product that I am keen on, that is saved for future reference as I have more important tasks to accomplish for my own business right now.

Do you lose focus at times too?

Overwhelmed by the workload

As easy as A-B-C? Not exactly. Working from home, especially the start up stage is really more tedious and challenging than what I perceived to be.

As my suppliers are generally from US and UK, I would always make use of the day to do research and send emails; at night, I will stay online and and waiting for the suppliers to revert. I would say most of them are very prompt and very helpful!

One of the suppliers, knowing the reason behind my home business, is willing to accomodate my orders even when it means not meeting half of her minimum order quantity (MOQ), whick I truly appreciate her kindness and willingness to accomodate.

At times, I would still be working when both kids and Hubby were snoozing away. Though I do feel tired, those positive responses from the suppliers kept my spirit up and most importantly, I gained more confidence as I move along.

Eventually, I felt my hands were too full and needed another pair of hands to help. Some friends are not ready to join me as a business partner. Who would when they are drawing a steady pay?

I waited and spoken to a few whom have the same interest. Finally, my sis felt she is ready to join me. Never mind about her shortage of capital, I know she will have the same passion as me! A business partner who can understand you and having the same vision is really important.

I never look back since my desicion to start my own business.

How to Manage Your Time When You Work at Home?

People who knows what I am doing often ask "How do you manage your time?"

How do I do it? Put it simply, I try to be as flexible as I can with timing for myself as my schedule is fixed by myself.

A typical day will start at 7-ish for me. Wake Ethyl at about 8.15am, prepare her for school.

We need to leave the house latest by 9am.

I will then come back home, grab my breakfast and start to check some emails or do simple things with Brayden while waiting to pick Ethyl up. I try not to do work in the mornings so that I can spend some quality time with Brayden alone.

Time's up to leave home and pick up the girl!

Before the change of schedule, Tuesdays are mad-rush days for me.

I will rush home, prepare Ethyl's bento, send it to school for her and wait for her to end her class in 2 hrs time. I usually check emails, or do my readings at the fast food joints or run some errands during these 2 hours.

Noon time, I will let Ethyl have a break, she plays while Brayden takes his noon naps. At about 3.30pm, she will take out her assessment books and do it herself with me guiding her along.

Time is really well spent. However, such arrangement leave me with limited time to settle my work.

What I usually do is, spend time doing it at night, like now. This isn't too tough, I have learnt to let Hubby take charge of the kids in the evenings so that I can focus on my work. I really enjoy what I am doing now.

Oh yes, the iPhone has definitely made my work easier! I reply simple emails while travelling!

Planning

In order to get things going, I started planning out what I wanted to do.

All along, I hope to bring quality, functional items to parents and parents to be. My days as a SAHM (Stay-at-home-Mom) during gal's first year I had done so many research and I know for sure, the lack of information and products available to us in Singapore, organic products.

Not just products itself, in fact the knowledge and how using organic produce will help us save the Earth and give our next generation a better living condition.

Every bit of effort counts. Once someone starts, I am sure sooner or later, there will be followers. There are several shops beginning to sell organics produce, however the awareness is still a little low. Organic stuff are considered pricey, but look at other baby products, their price point is not low either, maybe just a little lower than organic or bio-degradeable products.

I agree that I am tapping on a very niche market (at least in SG), however I believe as a parent, we all wanted to give the best we can to our offsprings and why can't we be their example and use things that are organic, and less harmful to ourselves and the Earth?

Once I figured out the direction I should go, the research begins. This is the crux of starting every business. I will not say I am someone who does very extensive research, but I trust the products I bring in. Besides convincing myself, I will also read reviews, the pros and cons of each product etc.

Confidence in the products is essential. I will use them myself, my kids and my household before I start to sell them online.

So far some products arrived, and I can say I am really happy with it. Even Ethyl who tried on the new organic shampoo, conditioner, bodywash etc, she loves them so much with the new fragrance that makes them smell really yummy!

As I am editing this page, I just updated on my other blog about another product, Ah-Choo Chest Rub. It works really well for Brayden and even myself, I like how mild the product is, yet works really well on Brayden.

How I Got Started?

Six years ago, while I was carrying my firstborn, the desire to start an online businsess selling parenting and baby related items came to my mind. As Hubby was an apprentice then, income was really little for a small family like ours, I didn't dare venture into a business that requires several thousands to start off a small scale online retailing business.

However, this remains as my goal that I will be working hard towards and shall fulfill a dream and make it come true.

This year, 2010 seems like a great start for me. I started a new career with an MNC offering me a pretty neat pay check every month. It seems like an ideal opportunity for me to soar in my new found career. Little did I know, a twist of event actually made me start on working on my dream that has been shelved six years ago.

I was admitted to hospital due to chest pain. It was so bad that I could barely walk straight and was always breathless and panting had. Doctors are unable to tell me what was wrong as all the cardiac tests carried on me seems normal. One thing noted from the tests though, I get tensed up very easily. Hence the cardiologist asked me if I am willing to change my lifestyle like stop work or do something that is less stressful?

This was like a wake up call. It made me brush away the dust on the Mompreneur dream.

"Shall I start a business that I had been wanting to?"

Family support at this point of time of time is crucial. Both Hubby and Mom supported my decision without a doubt. Plucking up my courage, I finally typed my letter and tendered to my boss.

I shall not go into details for this, but this definitely is a start to my current status as a business owner.