Monday Mumpreneur with Lisa Holden

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 inspiring mumpreneur brings her love of nature and healing into everything she does and shows us that we don't need to separate business time and mum time to create balance.

Your name: Lisa Holden aka Mistletoeoak

Tell me about your children: 

2 children: Alex aged 9 and Emily aged 2.

Where do you live: Tiny village near Deal, Kent

PC or mac? PC but my smartphone is used more, I can blog and work on the go.

Tell us about your business:

I create handmade items and artwork inspired by nature. My main creations are pendants but there will be more items on the way soon... I also blog as part of my business, sharing great finds and freebies. I also run regular competitions that are open worldwide and not just here in the UK.

What motivated you to become a mumpreneur?

My motivation was the fact I can be my own boss, stay at home with the children, yet still have an income stream.

What’s been your biggest challenge in business?

My biggest challenge was balancing time between being a mum and setting up/running a business- or so I thought... At first I thought I could only start my business when Alex was at school or when Emily was having a nap. I had the stereotypical idea that you had to keep the two separate.

How have you overcome it?

In the early stages I asked myself why? Why does business time and mum time need to be separate? With the nature of my business being creative and hands on, the children can join in. The best creations and ideas are when that idea pops in your head, so why wait, just get on with it and explore. Often we will grab a bag of bits and head to the wood to draw and make. If I need to be doing paperwork then they have some paper and pens too. I more than understand that this is not possible for all, but in my case I am lucky that I can embrace this approach and often the children come up with fab ideas that I would not have thought of.

What’s been your proudest business moment?

My first sale and the lovely email I received. The customer had taken the pendant they had purchased to their local woods and sent a photo of the pendant hanging in her favourite tree, just as I would do! It felt so grounding that my work can connect to others and bring them happiness. There are not many jobs that give you that wonderful opportunity.

My other proudest moment was after I lost my site through trolling and hacking, I was determined not to give in and got my site and shop up and running with different sites within 24hours.

What’s your catchphrase or favourite quote?

The trees will have the answer. Go for a walk, it clears the mind, hug a tree and come back refreshed.

What do you do to relax or nurture yourself?

I am a huge advocate of Barefoot Breathing thanks to Jackie Stewart, it is like connecting into a power grid no matter what the weather or what is happening. I have also recently discovered Curvy Yoga, it is so relaxing yet challenges your body; you can definitely feel it in your hamstrings the nextday!

What was the last treat you bought for yourself?

Ha ha this morning, a new top form Mantaray Debenhams. I love their collections and the patterns reflect my love of nature, there are usually birds, flowers and leaves in their designs.

Favourite colour : Moss green.

Favourite flowers: 

Sweet peas, I love to grow them in the garden and their perfume fills a room when you bring them indoors.

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

Just do it. It is a scary leap but once you start there are so many supportive and helpful people out there. Do not be afraid to ask on forums, most times someone out there has been in the same place and can give you quick snippet of wisdom.

Find out more about Lisa at her website: http://www.mistletoeoak.blogspot.co.uk/

Visit her shop: https://beta.folksy.com/shops/mistletoeoak

Connect with her on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/mistletoeoakartworks
https://twitter.com/mistletoeoak
https://plus.google.com/u/0/103050102034835184192
http://instagram.com/mistletoeoak
http://www.pinterest.com/mistletoeoak/

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.