Carol Savage, founder of Mydish.co.uk, tells us about doing an MBA while she was pregnant, and why setting up her own company has taught her three sons about the value of money.
Name: Carol Savage
Age: 42
Children: Oliver, 12, Tom, 10 and Jamie, five
Job title: Managing director
Company: Mydish.co.uk
What was the motivating factor for staring your own business?
My husband, Ken, returned home after going to his mother?s funeral in South Africa, and when he came home he had these old scraps of paper that had recipes written down on them. He started talking about how reading the recipes transported him back to when he was an 11-year-old boy, and how the smells and tastes of the recipes brought back lots of happy memories of his mum that he had forgotten about.
What are the best bits about working again?
It?s great having something of your own and to have created something from the beginning.
I also like the fact that starting up my own business acts as a good role model for my kids. It?s great for them to be familiar with having a good work ethic, and not being afraid of work.
My eldest son, Oliver, now gets ?4 per week pocket money. He knows that if he spends it all he won?t be getting any more! He recently saved up ?20 and spent it all in three days. He wasn?t allowed any more pocket money until the next week.
He actually baked some cookies and sold them at 60p each or two for ?1! He even took his five-year-old brother with him because he thought it would help him sell more.
So I definitely think that the kids seeing me at work helps them get used to the idea of working and teaches them the value of money.
Running a business can be a mixed bag sometimes. What have been you highs and lows so far?
Running your own business is definitely an emotional rollercoaster. But working as part of a team is a definite high point. It?s a fun atmosphere and it?s great to see people coming in and becoming part of the business, too.
However, it can be frustrating sometimes when you?re excited about an idea and you?re waiting on other people to make it happen – especially if you get your hopes up and someone pulls out of a deal. It can get really frustrating.
Although I try not to let it, when things get really busy, it can also affect time with the family.
What is available to mothers now that you wish you had access to when your family was young?
The biggest thing would have to be technology, as it allows people to work more flexibly.
There are seven days in a week and as long as I get my work done during that time I?m happy. I can take my work home if I need to, or work late at nights if needs be. If one of the boys gets ill I can take time out of the office to take care of them and still get my work done. I can also make sure I don?t miss a play or a football practice!
Changes in technology allow me to be flexible and create a controlled balance between work and family. I definitely think it?s important to keep that balance.
How have you managed to stay on top of your career with the demands of motherhood?
It helps to have a supportive family. My husband and mum help out a lot. I also think it?s really important to enjoy the work you do.
What has been the high point along the way?
The best high point so far would have to be selling the first ever copy of our recipe book! Mydish is about people and the stories behind the recipes and our cookbooks are very personal and relate to that whole idea.
The first copies were bought by a lady in Ireland who put in an order for her and five of her friends! It was a great feeling when we received the order because it meant someone understood what Mydish was all about!
What is your worst experience along the way?
Battling with people over money is always tricky.
Any tips for expectant mums or mothers who feel that you can’t have a successful career and a happy family life at the same time?
I think it?s good to understand what you want to do before you start a family. You have to be flexible and always be in control of the things that are important to you. You have to negotiate the time between your family needs and your business needs.
I actually did my MBA at London Business School while pregnant. I had my best exam ever. The exam was for three hours and every hour I was allowed a five-minute chocolate break! So being an expectant mum can have its benefits!