Monday Mumpreneur with Venita Dada-Anthonij

Every Monday we feature a mumpreneur just like you and me 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.

This week's featured mumpreneur is someone I've felt a strong connection with since meeting her online and becoming part of her supportive community. Her newest adventure sounds so exciting and it reminds me of that old adage that we hear mums say so often: "If you want something done properly - do it yourself!"

Your name: Venita Dada-Anthonij

Your website: http://www.yunopress.com/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/YunoPress

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Yunopress

Tell me about your children:

Our oldest is Nathan (the 9 y.o. footballing little Einstein , the middle one is Lauren (the 4 y.o. caring mini diva) and last but not least the baby of the family, Cienne (the 18 m.o. toddling cheeky explorer) 

Where do you live? 

We live in Whyteleafe, Surrey in the UK

PC or Mac?

I don’t have to think long about this one.... Mac!

Tell us about your business

YunoPress is my brainchild, which I have set up with my software developer husband, Richard.

Several years ago, I didn’t know a single thing about HTML, CSS or anything else to do with creating a website, yet I desperately needed one to support a new business idea. I asked Richard but he was too swamped with his own projects at the time.

The next best option was to hire a design agency. But after paying up (an awful sum) and waiting (impatiently), the website that was delivered was not even close to what I had in mind.

Back to Richard. He had a simple suggestion…. Go WordPress!

I went in kicking and screaming. I would have preferred to stick solely to my own area of expertise – marketing, sales and business development – as designing websites was not the kind of new territory I wanted to get familiar with, but I didn’t have much of a choice….

Fast forward to today, Richard and I have created many websites using WordPress and enjoy assisting other (small) business owners with their questions, bugs and design changes.

We found along the way that many clients and other business relations paid ridiculous money for simple changes to their WordPress site, while we knew that many of those jobs could be done for less than half of what they had to pay.

Combining all these experiences brought us to the creation of YunoPress. We offer affordable support to (small) business owners to help them in building, managing and marketing their WordPress website.

We have a lot more planned in terms of support, courses and workshops to teach (if I can learn it, anybody can) people about how they can create a WordPress site for their business and make the most of it, but that will be revealed in the near future.

What motivated you to become a mumpreneur?

After many hectic years in sales, I wanted to spend more time with my children. This coincided with our move from Holland to the UK. That was the point where I gave in to the urge to start up my own business.

What’s been your biggest challenge in business?

I would say time! You can not have too much of it. Running your own business can be very time consuming and easily eat away from time with the family and “you-time”. It took me quite a while to figure out a way to run my business in a way that I didn’t have to pull all-nighters and be there for the school run in the morning.

How have you overcome it?

The way of life I have been living has at several point resulted in health issues, of which the last one forced me to stop. I literally couldn't even sit any more. My back was damaged. It resulted in quite a heavy operation. I had neglected the signs my body was giving me for way too long.

Looking back now, I can honestly say that it was the best thing that could have happened. I had time to take a step back, rethink and re-plan. It was a real eye-opener. It forced me to see how doing too much for too long can be very destructive.

Now I've  recovered from the operation, I am still working hard, but smarter than I did before. I delegate and prioritise a lot more.

What’s been your proudest business moment?

The moment we launched YunoPress, which was the moment I had recovered enough to get back to work. It had been such a long time in the making and with my health issue earlier in the year, I came close to the point of giving up. Yet, Richard, family and friends pulled me through it all and we managed to launch last on the 18th of September this year. It was a real moment of Wow, we did it! (...swiftly followed by: Oh dear, Now we have to grow it into a successful business ;))

What’s your catchphrase or favourite quote?

Oooh, that’s a tricky one. There are so many. I think I must say my favourite is:

"When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life.  When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I wrote down ‘happy’.  They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life." –John Lennon

What do you do to relax or nurture yourself?

I meditate, read and watch a lot of documentaries.

What was the last treat you bought for yourself?

Manuka honey! I love a good soy vanilla chai tea with manuka honey. (Before that a lovely pair of boots ;))

Favourite colour: Indigo

Favourite flowers: Sweetpea

What one piece of advice would you like to give to a new mumpreneur?

Take time to grow with your business. Have a big bold dream, but start it with a spark. Be motivated by small accomplishments, because they will add up to you reaching your big goals. Don’t be afraid to stand out and be different. History has proves that it is the ones that dared to be different, who accomplished the most. Trust your instincts, they’re often right. Last but not least take time to build and grow relationships with your partner, children, friends, clients, and never forget about your relationship with yourself!

Fancy sharing your story and becoming part of our wonderful supportive mumpreneur community? Drop me an email over on the contact page – and I’ll be in touch.   Or let me know in a comment below.