More Time For Family - A Clever Balancing Act

Kirsty Newbury, co-founder of Our Little Treasure was recently interviewed regarding her new business, the challenges it has bought and how she juggles family life and her hectic work schedule.

Q. Briefly describe your business
"To give you some background on our business, my mother (Susan) and I recently launched a Website for Parents, Grandparents and Carers with young children. The site is designed to assist them in the day-to-day care and education of their children and grandchildren. The site contains Activities, Recipes, Hints and Ideas for people caring for young children. We currently employ 2 people - my mother Susan, and myself. Our Website address is http://www.ourlittletreasure.com.au"

Q. Why did you start your business?
"Mum and I owned and operated a Child Care Centre in NSW for about 10 years. This Centre was recently sold, and I went on to have my first baby, who is now 7 months old".

"As a stay-at-home mum I became very aware of the pressure on new mums to have your child enrolled in Child Care, or in other educationally-based programs from an early age. I am very lucky in that I am a qualified Early Childhood teacher and know what I can do with my baby and other children in my care at home to provide educational and fun activities for them (I also have 5 nieces and nephews). Most parents do not have the benefit of this knowledge and after attending weekly mother’s group, aqua classes and prenatal meetings it became apparent that there was a need for a way to offer these parents and grandparents ideas and activities to do at home. Of course it needed to be low cost and easy to do".

"Susan, my mother, is a grandmother of six children (ranging between 10 years and 7 months). She often assists my sisters and I with the care of our children while we are working. As a stay-at-home grandmother, she too was lucky to be able to fall back on her Child Care experience and training. But she also has friends who are grandparents at home with young children who are constantly searching and trying find great fun, easy and educational ideas to use with their kids".

"And so Our Little Treasure was born. The site is an easy to use resource for all people with young children. Whether you are at home with children 1 day or every day, the site gives you practical, educationally-based and most importantly fun ideas for spending time with your kids. Because that is really what it is all about"!

Q. Has starting your own business lived up to expectations?
"Very much so, I love the feeling of being empowered to create something wonderful, and help others at the same time. It is a very slow road, but one I am sure will be worth it in the end. I remind myself how lucky I am to be able to stay home with my baby girl as a result".

Q. What have you enjoyed the most about running your own business?
"The freedom, the flexibility and the autonomy I get. I love being involved in another creative project with my family. The biggest reward is the time I now spend with my family and my daughter - money just can’t buy those things".

Q. What is the biggest challenge for you in running your own business?
"Having to learn about Marketing and PR, suddenly being the person who has to know everything about the business instead of being able to specialise in one part. It has been a steep learning curve but I feel that both Susan and I have hit the ground running. Challenging yourself is important, it is what helps you to grow as a person. I am a better daughter, a better mother and a better partner as a result of trying something new and chasing my goals".

Q. How do you manage the juggle of running your own business with family?
"Very carefully! It is a fine balancing act, but the support of my family and husband makes it easier. Justin (my husband) has been an enourmous support and has shown a great deal of patience and understanding. I could not have done it without him. Mum and I juggle my baby during the day when we are working, so I don’t feel guilty about how much attention and time she gets. Really she is very lucky to have her mother and grandmother at home caring for her!"

"Our Website really is a family affair. I write and design the activities along with my mother, Susan. My husband, Justin, designed and maintains the Website. My father, John, tests the recipes and he, along with Justin offers feedback and comments from a male point of view (the Website is for Dads too!). My baby, nieces and nephews are the lucky ones who get to test all of the activities and try the recipes (both eating and cooking). My sisters, Leah and Kellie help with the promotional side of things, taking flyers to mother’s group and generally telling everyone they know about the site. My parents-in-law, Lynda and Tony are the official site proof readers. All in all, it has allowed us to be closer and gain a greater understanding of each other as a result".

Q. Do you have a favourite networking opportunity or event?
"Definitely mother’s group and Aqua Aerobics! I find that talking to other mums and meeting new parents is most valuable thing. It is great to share other people’s experiences with their kids and to hear that you are normal after all"!

Q. Do you have any advice for anyone out there who may be thinking about starting their own business?
"Research, research, research. Make informed decisions at every step and follow your heart - I find often that my gut instinct is the best advice. Anything that is worth having is worth working for, so never be afraid to have a go"!