Starting my own business has in turn, made me a better mother. Enabling my own creativity is like scratching an itch, and once I have scratched it, once I have had that time to myself in which to think and do, I am a better mother for it.
Kylie-Ann
Hello loves,
This week we have our sixth community GUEST post… as always we are so excited to share this with you. These posts are a joy to read and edit.
We hit 102 subscribers last week - we are so conscious of growing this space soulfully and steadily, and it feels so wonderful to be connecting with mums all over the world.
We’ve now had 15 people complete the short Google Form invitation. It’s the same 3 questions you’ll find here below.
We are gently working through them and will post the responses in order of their arrival!
We’d love to invite you to write for us too. We are keen to encourage a diverse range of mothers and experiences here and have made it very easy for you to contribute. If you would like to write a guest post for us here at head here to answer just three simple questions.
If you’d like to write us a longer piece on the topic of being, balance and/ or business in motherhood, record audio or a video you can email us on companyoftwouk@gmail.com If you are interested appearing in future podcast episodes please use the same email address to reach out.
‘Company of Two and You’ with Kylie-Ann
Hi! I am Kylie-Ann, I am a graphic designer and mum of two young boys (aged 3 and 1). I have recently started my own branding business, K-A Creative, utilising my ten years experience in branding and packaging to help small businesses.
When did you become a mum and how long have you had a company of one and what do you do within it?
I became a mum on the eve of the pandemic in late 2019. I went back to work in late 2020, working from home for a global design agency in London.
Following the birth of my second son 2 years later, I was unable to return to work due to extortionate childcare costs. While staying at home with two young children was a very practical decision, I felt I was forced to make it and I wasn’t ready to put my career to one side.
At the end of last year I started my own branding business, which I try to fit around the children. I utilise my ten years’ experience working with global clients to help small businesses create memorable, consistent brands to help them thrive.
I have worked with some exciting businesses so far including a TV & Film podcast, a glass gift maker, a painter and a property entrepreneur. You can see my work on my website; https://khyphena.co.uk
How has having children impacted your work flow, creativity, your inspiration and your ability to manage your work?
For me having children has been both the best and worst thing for my career. The birth of my second son meant that I was forced to leave my job and effectively put my career and development within that particular agency on hold, but without leaving that job I would never have had the opportunity to start my own business. I fear that by leaving my job for what could end up being a couple of years until the eldest goes to school, I am pulling myself out of the industry. When I return, will they think I am out of touch?
My portfolio will look outdated and my skills may be stunted having not been kept up to date with latest trends and software.
Despite my fears, I maintain that starting my own business has made me a better designer. I am much more in control of what I am working on and have much more agency over the design decisions of the project as a whole. This has meant I have started to enjoy the design process again and I am proud of the projects I have worked on.
The children take up so much of my time and energy, that work has become respite. I enjoy designing so much more now. I feel like working on the big brands, within a large team I had lost my mojo. I rarely felt inspired and I never looked forward to work. Now, I am keen to open my laptop in the evenings and on weekends, hopping onto Pinterest with glee. I find editing Photoshop files therapeutic, and being able to sketch is a joy.
I find I am much more energised and inspired and have the drive to do so much more, despite having a lot less time in which to do it in.
Starting my own business has in turn, made me a better mother. Enabling my own creativity is like scratching an itch, and once I have scratched it, once I have had that time to myself in which to think and do, I am a better mother for it.
It is my break from the children and in doing something I deem valuable, in terms of earning money or growing professionally, I feel I am striving towards something good, something better. I feel like I am achieving something for myself.
What advice would you give to a mum just about to start their journey with balance, being and business in motherhood?
I am still learning throughout this process on how to balance motherhood with running my own business, but I do know that it is definitely worth it.
Designing is important to me. It is part of the my identity that I lost when I became a mum and in starting my own business I am investing in myself after putting myself last for so long, and regaining that part of me that I have lost.
My advice to other mothers is, it may feel like a sacrifice; it may be exhausting. As mothers we are still expected to be present for our children as well as fulfilling our roles in the household as cleaners, planners and cooks.
There will be late nights, and there may not be much money coming in for a while, but even if it fails, it is an opportunity worth taking.
My mother-in-law gave me advice about going back to work after having my second son, and she said,
"If you do it, do something you love." Juggling motherhood, childcare and working is hard and if you are going to do it - if you are going to make those sacrifices, do it for something you enjoy and that you feel passionate about.
Thanks so so much to Kylie Ann for guesting for us this week.
Over to you…checking in…
How are you this week? How’s life feeling? How is the juggle 4 (or is it more) weeks into the UK Summer hols? We wanted to give a quick shout out to
who we found this week and who has written a wonderful post on HOW she makes time to write.From Claire - I’ve finally slowed down this week despite this being my intention at the start of the summer hols. I’ve had spacious days with beach walks and coffee followed by tea followed by more tea and pottering. Garden grown wild and shop bought flowers adorn my windowsills and this part of the year reflects back it’s my absolute favourite. The kids have been challenging in different ways. Both my children are neurodivergent but at opposite ends of the sensory scale… which means they have wildly different needs and when they have those needs both at once I feel like I am a shell of myself pleading for help from a deeper source power of wisdom. Some days it takes me all of who I’ve been and most of who I am right now to know I’m a good mum.
On a lighter note, I’ll report back on my camper van adventure next week - I’ve fallen down sooo many pinterest holes of ‘van life interior’ when I should have been sleeping, my eyes went blurry.
From Laura - I’m in Suffolk, staying in an AirBnB with my Dad, my Uncle (who is visiting from Australia) and the baby, whilst my Mum is down the road with the big two on a residential strings course (yes, we’re that kind of family). I’m popping in regularly on the big two, to check in with them and with my mum (who is a super matriarch and who is never happier than when surrounded by pieces in D major and kids making music, but still, it’s a lot). We are staying on a farm, and the fresh air and vast, starry skies are making me feel alive. We are also enjoying the confused faces of the locals who evidently can’t quite work out the relationship dynamic between the three adults and the baby…
I am faintly dreading the music course coming to an end, as I know my big two will need to defragment, which will translate into endless bickering and relentless demands for snacks. There may well be some tears all round. But I’m also looking forward to cuddles, and chats as we walk, and ice-cream for days.
I can’t pretend I enjoy the summer holidays: rather I’d say I have moments of pure joy, moments of pure frustration and many magical moments of the mundane in-between…
Building this community is such a joy and we are so keen to hear your voices in it. If you haven’t seen this post Company of Two - and you!
We invite you to contribute to our shared world via three simple questions in a google form.
Please don’t do that society-induced thing expected of women (and mothers) and think “who wants to hear what I have to say?” WE DO.
You are not meant to do this alone. Those feelings you have: we’ve had them too. In the thick of it right now? We see you and we send support, love and a gentle sunshine energy your way. Get outside today if you can. Drink the water.
Call a friend, or do comment here.
With love as ever,
Laura and Claire
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Kylie-Ann, I loved the advice your mother in law gave you! I often feel guilty for working so much (especially in the holidays), trying to do all the things as a mum, and take care of the house, so I feel better having read the advice about making sure that you do something you love. I certainly do, and I’m so passionate about it. In fact, I’ve had a few days off and I’m itching to get back to work tomorrow.
Good luck with your business! Going self employed was the best decision I ever made for me and my family 🤍
Thank you so much. I am so glad it has worked out for you.
I really hope it will work out for is too as I feel like me and the boys benefit from the flexibility. A design job in the industry can be demanding and having kids (and putting them first) usually means you don’t show up as much as they want you to, so when I was there I always felt I wasn’t doing a good enough job!
Getting to do something I love is a real privilege and I hope I can keep it going and make it work for us ❤️
Thanks for reading!
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