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Name: Anushka Patel
Where do you live: Wembley, Middlesex
Family – how many children and what age - 2 boys, 3yrs old and 5months old - plus a hubby and his parents too!
Past Occupation - Executive Assistant
I had my gorgeous second baby boy 5 months ago, so i’m currently on Maternity leave. I am officially back in the office March 2017, but do i really want to be doing the long commute? Sitting in an office all day? Don’t get me wrong - the company i work for is great, my boss and colleagues are fab, but i’m a mum now. My mind was always wondering back to what my 3 year old was doing at home or nursery...what i needed to get done for home, for my hubby and his parents, as we all live together. I was lucky to have come across a fantastic business opportunity 3 months ago which allows me to work from home, at my own pace and my own timings...i can choose how much i want to put in and what i want to achieve...i’m now actively planning on growing the business with a target of being at Manager level by December, so i could potentially not return back to the office job! Fingers crossed!
TIME!!! FLEXIBILITY!!! A DECENT WAGE!!! Companies these day are legally required to give new mums the flexible working options that they might seek...but realistically does it happen to the extent we want it to? I was lucky to have my boss agree to working only two days a week, but the commute and being so far from home etc it still didn’t seem flexible enough and i lost a big chunk of my wage. I want to work in my own time and have the option to be at my kids needs when i can without feeling that i am letting someone down. I want to earn a decent wage without compromising my hours/time...cutting down my days at the office means a cut in pay - but childcare costs a fortune! Kids cost money!
4. What challenges are you facing with regards to your current situation as outlined in 2?
My current challenge is finding the right people to support my new business and help build it - many people say they also want flexible working, an easy ride, quick money etc etc...but they don’t seem to really WANT it. And they sometimes don’t even seem to want to work for it. Working from home doesn’t mean it’s a free ride...i put my hours in - in between the kids eating, cleaning, doing errands, and once the kids are asleep i try and knock out one or two hours of work. It all adds up and pays off. I want to find people that are willing to do the same - and not just look for easy money. Another challenge is people believing in me - the hardest thing i have faced since starting this business from home is that the people that are closest to me don’t tend to give any encouragement or support. But will happily accept freebies! That hurts. I have had to learn to cut people off and not involve people that i would have loved to talk to about my new venture...not for a business reason but just to tell them what i’m doing and how much i enjoy it. But on the other hand - i have made some fantastic new friends out of it and they are the ones encouraging me and taking an interest.
The main positive result - I FEEL FANTASTIC! By using the products that i am retailing and promoting, i feel a million dollars. Having had baby number two and suffering from postnatal depression (yes i am admitting it for the first time in black and white), i felt like crap. I looked drained. I was going to sleep by 7pm. I had no energy. I was putting weight on without realising and comfort eating without knowing. But after getting involved in this business i lost the weight - i gained confidence - i feel energised and refreshed and i am literally buzzing. It’s not a sales pitch - everyone who is around me has noticed the change and it makes them wonder how i did it...which i guess helps the business as they either want the products or they want to get involved. Another positive - i finally have the motivation and mindset to do something other than cooking and cleaning!!! My baby brain has gone! I no longer find myself randomly singing Peppa Pig in my head (or out loud) whilst ironing...but i have ideas buzzing in my head and i feel like i’m back in the game BUT i am still 100% with my kids and i’m not missing out...so it’s win win!
I am on the go non-stop. But i love it and somehow it all seems to be balancing so far!! My mornings between 6am - 9am are totally focussed on my boys...i get them sorted and send the eldest to nursery etc, and then when the youngest is sleeping/playing etc, i can get online and start a few bits. I can sit for 10 minutes and have a smoothie or shake that i whizz up to keep me going until lunchtime. I can contact some of my team or customers...when my kids need me - i go. I don’t ignore them or fob them off to anyone else unless i’m taking a call or something. If they need a feed or lunch etc, i do it. I am still a hands on mum which is the best part of doing this business. In between them playing etc i get my work/housework done. It’s a routine that i am mastering slowly but surely and i love it. My hubby has his own businesses too - so whilst he is working etc i try to do my bits. When he is home we try and do what can together - even if it’s just washing dishes together or catching up on some TV together...his entrepreneurial nature is slowly rubbing off on me! I do wish that this new business will help towards making us a bit more relaxed so that we can actually enjoy taking the kids out and spending quality time together away from all the dramas of daily life - it’s always been about work and making money to get by etc...but life isn’t just about that is it?
I made some good contacts and had some great conversations with people...i also got to see what options are available to us Mums.
My main lesson and advice is to just DO IT. I came across my business opportunity three years ago and walked away from it because i didn’t pay attention to my needs, my ambitions and my dreams. I put all my time and effort into my office job, my home, my hubby and his family, even their businesses. I didn’t actually do anything for myself other than my 9 - 5 job. Now I have my own kids and i realise how important it is to enjoy life not just for them, but with my hubby. I want to enjoy my job - i want to enjoy my time at home and i want my kids to see that. I took the leap with this business without anyone’s input or permission. I was scared but if i asked anyone for help or advice i wouldn’t have taken the risk. I just did it. And so far...i love it. So take the leap! Whatever happens - good or bad - happens for a reason!
