Monday Mumpreneur with Morag Pavich
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.
This week's featured mumpreneur came up with a truly novel and innovative idea by taking time away to see what other entrepreneurs were doing ~ I love that, hope you enjoy her inspiring story . . .
Your name: Morag Pavich
Your website: www.moscookiedough.co.uk
Brief description: The site provides information on my all-natural raw cookie dough company, Mo’s Cookie Dough
Tell me about your children: I have three children who keep me very busy! Louisa (10) is a complete drama queen and aspiring fashionista; Ashley (6) is quirky and fun with a winning smile and my little dough boy Theo (2) was a wonderful surprise.
Where do you live? Glasgow, Scotland
PC or Mac? Definitely Mac
Tell us about your business: Mo’s Cookie Dough produces pre-prepared cookie dough, sold in rolls - ready to slice, bake, and enjoy.
We marry the convenience of American-style cookie dough, with high quality all-natural ingredient. We promise that you would never have to inspect our ingredient list for unhealthy fillers or words you can’t pronounce.
As the first premium cookie dough product in the UK market, Mo’s Cookie Dough is novel and innovative.
Our aim is to make home baking quick, convenient and fun for even the busiest people.
What motivated you to become a mumpreneur?
A new baby and a career set back motivated me to start my own business.
Before I was the “Mo” in Mo’s Cookie Dough, I was Head of Communications for the Carnegie UK Trust. It was a great job but also incredibly difficult being a member of a senior management team trying to run an endowed foundation when the economy is in recession, the endowment has halved overnight, the CEO’s position is vacant and the Finance Director is on maternity leave…
Anyway, while I was sitting at my desk at the Trust, thinking that “let’s just wait until the economy recovers” was not such a great strategic plan, I received an opportunity to go to California and examine new models of philanthropy. I know, a tough gig but someone had to do it.
Based at Stanford University Business School (courtesy of the Knight Foundation), I had unprecedented access to a new wave of entrepreneurs who brought their own style and values to the so-called ‘business of benevolence’. They had disrupted the market and now they were disrupting philanthropy.
I examined great examples of venture philanthropy, social investing and crowd funding. I also saw a growing “third-way” movement that’s neither nonprofit nor for-profit, but both, combining social justice with economic accountability.
I returned to Scotland inspired, with a desire to put some of my learning into practice, and the support of one of Scotland’s more interesting venture philanthropists. But, life is full of surprises and I found that I was pregnant.
Suddenly things changed. My potential business partner indicated that I should stay home and make cookies. Actually, his exact words were “Morag, why do you want to go back to work? You don’t need to and my wife never returned after her third….”
I was fortunate to find support in a group of new mums who had all joined a post-pregnancy keep fit programme. As we pushed our prams around the park and did our “exercises” we regularly brainstormed new business ideas. Granted, some were a little far fetched. Anyone for a device which pushes a swing so that you can sit and drink your coffee in peace…?
So, while I fumed over the “you should stay home and make cookies” situation, the ladies laughed and said, “You should!”. They knew about my freezer full of cookie dough from first hand experience and thought it would make a great business idea. We also brainstormed the idea of the company having a social mission. And Mo’s Cookie Dough was born.
What's been your biggest challenge in business?: It’s daunting starting a business, especially with a young family and I find that one of my biggest challenges is the lack of time to do everything.
How have you overcome it?: While juggling a business and a family is a huge challenge it also helps to keep me organized and focused. I have to spend time wisely because my time is limited. Azithromycin is one of the most effective antibiotics that has antibacterial and bacteriostatic effects against staphylococci, streptococci, moraxella, chemophilis, chlamydia, mycobacteria, mycoplasma and ureaplasma. The advantage of azithromycin is its rapid absorption and easy penetration through the histohematic barriers and membranes of the body's cells. A stable therapeutic level of azithromycin in the blood is created within 5 days after the start of the course of treatment which persists for a week after the last dose of the drug.
What's been your proudest business moment?
We launched Mos’ Cookie Dough at the BBC Good Food show in October 2012. With no idea of what the response would be it was absolutely fantastic to win a new Producers award and sell 400 rolls of dough on the first day available to the public. However, my proudest moment was when my youngest child came to visit my stand and shouted “Mummy’s Coo-coos”!
What's your catchphrase or favourite quote?
“If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes.” ― Andrew Carnegie
What do you do to relax or nurture yourself?
I love reading and relax at my monthly Bookgroup. One of our members, Lucy, always bakes a cake themed to the book we are reading, so it’s always an indulgent evening.
What was the last treat you bought for yourself?
I treated myself to an expensive smelly candle today. I am looking forward to indulging myself one evening, with a good book, a hot bath and my gorgeous candle!
Favourite colour: Red
Favourite flowers: Peony
What one piece of advice would you like to give to a new mumpreneur?
Just follow your passion!
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.
