Today, we chat with Bronwen James. The mompreneur behind Kiddie Co.
If you are a mom who is building a startup or who already owns a business, please get in touch! I want to feature you.
Meet Bronwen
My name is Bronwen James, a 38 almost 39yr old mom of 2. I enjoy relaxing on the couch (depending on the weather) or in the sun when I get a chance as well as spending time as a family whatever it is we may be doing. I love the outdoors and all the beautiful scenery that CT has to offer.
Tell us about your company?
I started the Kiddie Co while on maternity leave with my second child. Taking everything into account that I wanted or wish I had when I was shopping for the arrivals of my little ones.
How did you come up with the name for your company?
Wow, this was tough! I wanted something that was cute, fully encompassed what we as a business did in terms of offerings as well as having a name that would be easily remembered.
How long have you been running your own business? What were you doing before this?
About 1.5yrs now including the building phase.
I was the national sales manager for an international cosmetics brand.
What is the hardest part about running your own business?
This online platform is a completely new arena for me so keeping ahead or up with trends, social media etc all while trying to make money is challenging, yet exciting as I do get to learn all the time!
Which social media platform do you love/hate the most and why?
Love FB as most people use this and its user friendly…Hate, Twitter, I guess because I don’t really know all the in’s and out’s of how to use it to my benefit.
What motivates you to get out of bed every day?
My Kids and knowing I have a business that needs my attention!
How do you manage your successful career while being a mom?
With the help of my husband, nanny and coming from a very corporate background, working under extreme amounts of pressure and tight deadlines, I have learnt to prioritize extremely well.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received about motherhood?
What has surprised you the most about being a mom?
That two kids can be so very different!
What are your top tips for balancing work life and home life?
Prioritize and also not to sweat the small stuff. Some things can be left until tomorrow, but if not, spend the time needed with your family and tackle it once the kids are asleep.
What popular entrepreneurial advice do you agree/ disagree with? Why?
“Yourself is always the best version of you — and being yourself is among the best advice I have ever received,” says Branson.
Never change yourself for anyone or anything.
I disagree that to be successful you require higher levels of formal education, when in fact, all you need to be successful is a good EQ which I really believe should also be a focus in schools rather than IQ.
Who has been your inspiration in the business world?
Sir Richard Branson as he is all about the people and for me that’s the key to success in the business world!
Share some of your failures and the best lessons you have learned from them?
Making sure that you are focused on the people as a leader rather than being a manager as this will ensure people work for you and not just do work for you. As a failure, it would probably be that sometimes you can’t just see the black and white and that there are many grey areas in between that cannot be ignored.
How do you define success?
Happiness…if you are happy and content foremost over everything else, you are successful.
What advice would you give to a Mompreneur who is just starting out?
It’s hard work and together with mom duties can mean many late nights and early mornings and a lot of sacrifice, however, once everything is in place, the time that frees up and allows you to be there for your children is priceless.
