Ι am almost 35 years of age, the mum of a gorgeous 2-year-old and have only now found the right path. It has taken a lot of hard work, soul searching and dedication to take my first steps. They were the hardest!
Since the age of 17 I have been working in the fashion industry which I loved but I knew that if I wanted to more I signed myself up to a Business Course at the Fashion school and took a leap of faith and went for a Position as a Senior Account Manager. Then I was thrown in the deep end, which was such a challenge but probably the best thing for me. It took a few years for me to prove myself, but soon I was travelling overseas with buyers, selecting fabrics and prints for the range.
9 years on I took Maternity leave and returned to the workplace to find that I had not only been replaced but it was as though my last 9 years of efforts were non-existent and I was back to square one. I was gutted and hurt.
However, during my maternity leave, with no finances to back me, I had decided to follow my dreams and start my own online boutique. I have so much passion, knowledge that I could not allow myself to be supressed, so I threw myself into the business, which has started out slowly. I have had to take on a 2nd job to support my dreams which has been tough!
Today I have started creating my first collection, everyday women’s fashion for the modern woman and proudly Australian made. This is an opportunity to use all my skills and creativity! Despite the hard work, long hours I am loving it.
I am determined to succeed in this business not only for me but for my beautiful daughter, so she can grow up knowing that as a woman you can do anything you set your mind to.
My 3 tips would be:
1. Always believe in yourself & never give up
2. Don’t listen to people who tell you, you can’t do something.
3. Its ok to change direction/path, there may be a reason why it’s not working out in the beginning. Go with it, try something different until it works.