Monday Mumpreneur with Alison Fitzer
Every Monday we feature a mumpreneur who’s ready and willing to open up their lives and their business to us.
They share with us their motivation, their challenges and their proudest moments in business and they also tell us how they take time to nurture themselves.
If you’re looking for inspiration, then our featured business mums show you what’s possible. Our message is “If we can do it ~ then so can you!”
This week we meet an inspirational business mum who has grown her business at an incredible speed and I'm glad to report, has been recognised for doing so. And I love her advice for new mumpreneurs! Enjoy x
Your name: Alison Fitzer
Your website: www.icejewellery.com/alisonfitzer https://www.facebook.com/IceJewellery.AlisonFitzer
Brief description:
Ice Jewellery are a rapidly expanding party plan company selling sterling silver and boutique jewellery/handbags through home parties and events.
Tell me about your children
I am a proud full time mummy to my identical twin boys Alexander and Joshua Fitzer, who have just turned 20 months old.
Where do you live? Farnborough, Hampshire UK
PC or Mac? Definitely PC 🙂
Tell us about your business
Ice Jewellery were established in the party plan sector in 2010, which is when I first joined the business. We began selling sterling silver jewellery through home parties and events, and then as popularity grew and sales increased, we decided to branch out into a boutique jewellery range last October, selling a range of jewellery and hand/clutch bags all under £30. When I first joined the business we had just 10 consultants, but to date we have grown so rapidly we now have around 350 up and down the UK, and have recently won the fastest growing party plan company in the recent party plan awards.
Personally, I have been with the company 10 months, and now work as a team leader for Ice Jewellery, leading large teams in the Scottish, Irish and South East regions. I have recently won 3 industry awards - 2 at the party plan conference for 'Social media guru', and 'most innovative consultant' (and i was also nominated for 'most inspiring team manager') and i have recently won 'work for mums' recent marvellous mumpreneur competition.
What motivated you to become a mumpreneur?
Originally I had set up my own recruitment company in 2008 after being in the industry for 10 years, but after finding out I was expecting twins in early 2010 I had to sell the business, and look at other different career opportunities giving me the flexibility to work around my children, but that still allowed me to be me. Thats when I found and joined Ice Jewellery. I have never looked back, acheiving things I didnt even know I could acheive, and being able to do the best job in the world around the business, and thats be a full time mum to my boys!
What's been your biggest challenge in business?
Juggling children with running a business is always a challange, no matter how big or small the business is, but time management is the key - it's just planning the time thats the hard part!
How have you overcome it?
I have to have a very strict routine with myself, and set aside certain times for 'family time' and certain times for 'business' as its so easy to let the business or family life take over at times, so to me its so important to have a plan for each week and try and stick to it as best as I can.
What's been your proudest business moment?
The proudest moment for me so far has to be winning the 'work for mums' Marvellous mumpreneur award last month, and being promoted to 'team leader' status after just 6 months with Ice. I've acheived so much in such a short time, it really has been an amazing journey to be on, and to be recognised and awarded for something you just do day to day was really amazing for me.
What's your catchphrase or favourite quote?
'Shoot for the moon, as even if you miss you'll land amoung the stars!'
What do you do to relax or nurture yourself?
I love spending time with my family, meeting up with all of my friends for 'catch ups' and also charity fundraising when I get the time as this is also something thats very close to my heart.
What was the last treat you bought for yourself?
Oh gosh! Most things I buy are for the boys, but I have just purchased a very nice pair of Gucci sunglasses for myself in hope of a decent summer! 🙂
Favourite colour: Red
Favourite flowers: Roses
What one piece of advice would you like to give to a new mumpreneur?
Go for it, and dont give up! Starting out is always the hardest part, not knowing if what your about to do is going to work or not, but believe in yourself and what your capable of acheiving. Whenever I have a bad day or things just aren't going my way, I take myself back to when I first started and the motivation and focus I had, and use that as a tool to get me going again!
Fancy featuring as one of our amazing mumpreneurs? Drop me an email over on the contact page - and I’ll be in touch. Or let me know in a comment below. And remember to drop by every Monday to welcome our latest profiled mum.
