The group of mums from Whangarei who gathered for the Northland Mums in Business meeting last week. Photo / Supplied
Not many people can say they have a 4-month-old general manager but one Onerahi mum who runs her business from home says she wouldn't have it any other way. Christine Allen talks to Philippa Mannagh, founder of business networking group Northland Mums in Business.
Little Willow-Mae Mannagh sits on her blue bumbo on the kitchen table. She is chewing a soft toy and giggling at the shenanigans of Boots the schnauzer and Vespa the cat while her mother takes a call from a client and finishes an email on her laptop.
This is a regular scene at the Mannaghs' Onerahi household as self-employed "mumtrepreneur" Philippa juggles being a wife, primary caregiver for three children and businesswoman.
Mothers running a business from home is not a new phenomenon but Philippa is part of a group of Northland mums who meet once a month to inspire, encourage and share business leads.
There is a seeming link too between women starting a family and redirecting their ambition into entrepreneurship.
Philippa founded Northland Mums in Business last year, when she had two children under the age of 7 and one on the way - Willow-Mae, who was born in October.
"She calls the shots," says the young mum, with her tiny boss still giggling in the table device that allows Mum to keep at eye-level with her daughter while working on her computer.
Aside from running the network event, Ms Mannagh runs Liked Media, a company that combines her work as a freelance writer, web content guru and social media coach for businesses.
"Yeah, it's madness on some days but we get things done. It just works."
Up to 20 mums met at their Onerahi home last week, to network with and support each other.
Each gives a gold coin donation towards the monthly event, which features guest speakers, tips and business leads for the photographers, engineers, butchers, beauticians, personal trainers and health practitioners who attend.
After three hours of morning parenting - feeding children and getting them out to school - she works a five-hour day, finishing at 2pm.
With the two older children out to school, she feeds the cat and dog, settles the baby to sleep, does some laundry and eats breakfast, starting work at 9am.
"Mothers who run the business from home and are primary caregivers for their children are pulled in all directions. They have a constant need for work/life balance."
As she works from home, she and husband Shane have set rules around working the evening.
"I work two late nights a week and, regardless of work pressures, we always make time for date night. You have to keep that balance.
"I started this networking group so mums could support mums. The challenges we face are unique to us," she says.
For some mums, starting a family prompts the motivation to start an enterprise.
Darlene Pearks operates a part-time massage therapy business from her Woodhill home. The mother-of-three (a 5 and 8-year-old and 2 year-old boy) was "corporate minded" before having children.
"I managed a call centre in Wellington. The 20-year-old me was very different."
After her first child, her ambition did not fade - it merely shifted to entrepreneurship. "I wanted to run my own business, so I retrained and just went for it."
Trying to run a business without the support of a partner, she said, was not possible. "I use home-based care two days-a-week but my husband takes over the caregiving when he gets home from work. That's vital support for mums in business."
At least her therapy room is attached to their home and has a separate, private access. She said her business relied on word-of-mouth advertising and Northland Mums In Business provided business leads, as well as crucial mentoring opportunities.
"I do get some busy mums for treatment. Most say they don't have time to relax and hit the reset button or feel too guilty for taking time out.
"Sadly, when anxiety and depression hits, people tend to do nothing."
To-do lists often become "wish lists", said Darlene.
However, her tasks lists can run into the pages as she also volunteers with the Whangarei Parent Centre, facilitating parenting courses and running a playgroup.
She has also decided to do the Cape Brett Challenge in April.
"Yep, I'm busy. But I guess this kind of life requires a certain adventurous personality. I would get bored if I wasn't busy."
She advises mums in business to have business plans.
"Mine is a five to 10 year plan and involves lots of training and upskilling. But mums need flexible plans.
"It's not for everyone. You have to be able to go with flow and learn to just chill out."
Philippa's mums in business tips:
1 Get help. You're not Wonder Woman, you're human. We can't do it all and something will give. Hire a regular cleaner or a childminder in the holidays to take some of the load. Outsourcing certain areas in your life is necessary to make things work.
2 Set boundaries. Take lunch breaks and have a "close-of-business" time.
3 Stay motivated. Get up and into work mode when you are juggling work and children's schedules. Jump in the shower, put on some work clothes and makeup, even if you are working from home all day.
4 Diary everything. Include your time and aim to work ahead. There are always bumps in the road and they catch us out when we least expect them, so anything you can tick off in advance makes the drive more enjoyable.
5 Designate a space. Have some that is just for your office/work.
6 Be realistic. Often it's about making things work so you can be flexible around your children so stick to that aim and if you need a sick day or to go to a sports event, take it.