Mum-of-two Carole Hallac, 37, is the co-founder of Kidmondo. When she wanted to share pictures of her growing children with family living abroad and couldn?t find a product to meet her needs, Carole and her husband decided to create something?and the rest they say is history.
What was the motivating factor for staring your own business?
Kidmondo was an idea of my husband and mine. At the birth of our second child we did not find a compelling and secure way to chronicle and share news about our kids with family and friends that live abroad.
In the process of creating Kidmondo, we both realised that our little project became a full-time job. So basically the idea to go back to work came from the creation of Kidmondo and the great response we had among other parents around the world.
Our kids are still young and I really want to be around in their early years. Running our own business gives us the flexibility to be around so it was the perfect solution for me to keep the balance.
What are the best bits about working again?
Working gives me fulfilment that motherhood (as wonderful as it is) can’t give you. It?s also an opportunity to meet people and have ?adult? conversations. I also feel that not being constantly with my kids makes me a better, more patient mother.
Running a business can be a mixed bag sometimes. What have been your highs and lows so far?
The business is a 24 hours a day commitment and sometimes this affects your personal and family life. Daniel (my husband) and I now communicate via email when it comes to work so it does not bring tensions to our relationship as we sometimes disagree…
When I was working for someone else I could come home and forget about work until the following morning, but now that’s harder to do and can bring more stress.
It is, however, great to feel independent and work for something that you really believe in.
It can be hard to juggle everything, sometimes you open your fridge and realise that you?ve run out of milk…
What is available to mothers now that you wish you had access to when your family was young?
The expansion of the internet. The fact that everything can be delivered to your door (I live in New York City). And Kidmondo ? it is a fast an easy way to keep memories of your kids and share it with your family.
How have you managed to stay on top of your career with the demands of motherhood?
More than staying on “top” I have just changed carriers. I used to be an executive in a public relations agency and that lifestyle would not have worked with my family life. So, first, I became a freelance writer and then I created my own business that fits better with my family?s schedule. Let’s say that I feel in control of my career now!
First of all, don’t be hard on yourself: the “perfect mum that is also an amazing career woman” is a myth. You can have both but you have to sacrifice something.
This does not mean that your family can?t be happy if you have to order in pizza for dinner sometimes. “Happy” and “perfect” are two different things.
And second, get organised by writing down to-do lists every night for the day after. It will make you feel more in control. Finally, and most importantly, get very good help!
