Monday Mumpreneur with Laura Jones

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.

As an award winning business mentor for The Prince's Trust, I have a passion for supporting anyone who's been through their services and love to hear success stories. So, I'm particularly delighted to introduce you to this week's business mum who's a proud Prince's Trust supported business!

Your name: Laura Jones

Tell me about your children:

Indi-Cai , almost two and my reason for breathing. Keeps me alive, tired, focused, unfocused and helps me see the beauty of things when sometimes all you see is grey. His little hand started it all for me.

Where do you live? St. Albans Hertfordshire, UK

PC or Mac? - PC every time

Tell us about your business: 

My business, ECOlourKIDS, started when looking for Organic super safe and natural paints to use with my Son. I studied an Art based degree at Uni, so once my son was born I couldn't wait to start getting creative with him. My problem was I couldn't find anything I'd feel safe letting him, at the tender age of 9 months, get crazy with.

So I researched and shopped around, and to my dismay found nothing. When I realised that there just didn't seem to be anything on the market, I started making my own, then shortly after for a messy play group I ran.  The paints and perfecting them started to become such a passion for me, that I decided I wanted to pursue the possibility of making a business out of it.

I then embarked on a Princes Trust Enterprise program, and began to see that making ECOlourKIDS a reality was indeed a possibility. I am now lucky enough to say that I am a Princes Trust Supported Business!!

I have three products presently,Messy Play in a box set, A gift set for a little person, and standard paint set. I am working on more as we speak! The paints are powdered so can be made up at home to make mums feel they are part of the making process, plus this way they last longer, as I use no preservatives or added nasties. Simple, Organic, Natural paints that can be used from weaning age upwards, even a gluten and lactose free alternative is available for those extra sensitive bubs!

What motivated you to become a mumpreneur?

My Son. In numerous ways. Wanting to be present in his life as much as I can, especially as Im a single mum, is of the highest importance to me, so my career has to work around him. Being there to play, support, and raise him to the best of my ability, as well as being a positive role model for him drives me. I want him to see that if you want something in life, you can do it, and that anything is possible. You can create the life you choose if you are focused and positive. That for me would be the biggest gift I could give him.

What’s been your biggest challenge in business?

Confidence and work/life balance. Being a stay at home Mum, whether single or not, is tough. I felt that I had started to lose myself. So learning to believe in my abilities and capabilities as Laura again, not just Mum, has been a challenge. Plus making sure time with my son isn't being affected, finding a routine, has been hard at times.

How have you overcome it?

By keeping myself focused and positive, finding a pace that suits me and going with it. Praising myself, as I do my son for my little achievements and keeping going forward. I also make sure that I divide my day into Mum time and Business time, by keeping the lap top closed in designated mum time moments. It can be hard but its imperative to keep the balance. Coffee helps of course!

What’s been your proudest business moment?

Wow, there's been a few , like the time my business cards arrived and I saw ECOlourKIDS printed on a glossy card for the first time! I try and find moments every day that Im proud and humble for, I find it helps me keep on keeping on.

What’s your catchphrase or favourite quote?

“All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become” - Buddha

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover". – Mark Twain

What do you do to relax or nurture yourself?

I lived in Thailand prior to having my son, and met an awful lot of wonderful people. I was introduced properly to mediation and Reiki out there, and how to connect and love yourself was a lesson I started learning. Daily I try and give myself time to wind down mentally by meditation of doing Reiki on myself. Walking in the country, long hot baths, and good music always help too! Plus the odd glass of wine of course!

What was the last treat you bought for yourself?

A cold water diffuser for my essential oils! Amazing and could not be without it now!

Favourite colour: purple

Favourite flowers: jasmine, lilies, and lavender flowers

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

Dream and believe. Just because you are Mum now, don't think you cant do it, in fact being a Mum gives you even more reason why you can!

Find out more about Laura and her business at her website: 

www.ecolourkids.com

And connect with her on social media:

Facebook:www.facebook.com/Ecolourkids             Twitter: @ECOlourKIDS

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.