Starting my own businesses

Just like many other people, I started working after school while doing my part-time studies. I started working at a small marketing company in January 2015 doing daily admin. The one director was very kind and helpful and the other was completely rude, shouting, fighting, and emotionally draining without reason. After a few months, 18-year-old me decided that this was not working for me, and I decided to focus on my studies for a few months.

 

July 2015, I started looking for something new, and I found it. I worked as a cashier in the motor industry, but my workplace was a 2-hour one way drive every day resulting in a 5 am to 7 pm day during the week and a 6 am to 3 pm Saturday. I quickly realized that it does not leave much space for my studies or personal life.

 

Instead of just up and quitting this time, I started a new job search while continuing my duties as per usual. December 2015 later I found something that was quite suitable. It was within a corporate company, working quite decent shifts, with a lot of off days between shifts. This seemed perfect as it left me some time to focus on my studies as well. I started working there in February 2016, as a junior in the department.

 

Our department was great and there was a lot of room to grow. By November 2016 I was permanently appointed, and February 2017 I received my first promotion.

 

In November 2017 I decided to transfer to the IT department as it was more suited to the work I started enjoying. In January 2018 we found out that I am expecting my first baby. Those few months flew by so quickly and August my eldest made his appearance. I spent 5 months on maternity leave, knowing that I would not want to be so far from him during the day (though it was only 27 kilometers).

 

I went back to work in January 2019, still feeling the same. Less than a week after returning to work, we found out I was expecting for the second time.

Company policy stated that I needed to work back my maternity months before being able to resign. And it was great, it gave me a few months to figure out what I will be doing after resigning.  30 April 2019 was my last day.

 

Almost 5 months pregnant and officially unemployed, I registered my first business. I started my own consulting company hoping it would pick up very quickly. It did not. I wasn’t going to give up, but I wasn’t going to sit around and do nothing.

 

So, I started a printing company. It picked up quite rapidly from the get-go, but we still needed a supplement. Over time both businesses started growing but adding to my resume was extremely appealing and so I continued. September 2019, working from home with a newborn and a toddler, I decided to join Acornkids. I knew that it wouldn’t be my primary focus, but I LOVE the products and why wouldn’t you like to earn on products you already use and love.

 

Then came lockdown, everyone found a hustle and all businesses suffered quite severely under circumstances, but lockdown also presented opportunities. I started manufacturing cloth masks in a local workshop which was great because masks were mandatory. The creativeness stuck and with 2 little kids at home I couldn’t wait to add affordable locally made baby clothing to the range.  At the time I partnered up with a dear friend and people really enjoyed our items.

 

And then my ambitions grew again, it was SO hard to find affordable, good quality, unscented disposable diapers. With kids and their sensitive skin and elderly family members struggling to afford these essential items, I decided to go on a hunt. I did not want to leave this opportunity only to myself, but also help other mommies recover from the effects of lockdown and Covid-19.

 

I started importing nappies from Europe and created a distribution program where other moms joined. Some do it as a side-hustle and others full time, and yes, it helps pay the bills.

 

Every single business venture you try may not be an instant success, but when you persevere it can be. When business is slow on one end, add something to your catalog. Not every business needs to be your primary focus, but those small amounts can be little life savers.

 

When I resigned, I was taking a huge risk, yes. It was also a well-planned out risk with a backup plan. If you dream to build something, weigh the risks, and never let go of an income that you really need.