Hands up all of you who complain about commuting in rush hour. Same again if you actually do something about it? Elizabeth Faulkner did just that – and she set up her business around her hate of commuting in rush hour, and so she could spend more time with her daughter, two-year-old Olivia.
Name: Elizabeth Faulkner
Age: 36
Children: Olivia, two-and-a-half years old
Job title: Co-director, Kids Fun Ideas Show and freelance event organiser
Company: Co-director of Daisychain Consulting
Relationship status: Married
What was the motivating factor for starting your own business?
To be able to be in control of family and work priorities, and to avoid travelling to and from work in peak times.
What are the best bits about working again?
Being part of a team, enjoying what I do, financial independence ? it makes me appreciate every moment I spend with my little girl.
Running a business can be a mixed bag sometimes. What have been you highs and lows so far?
The biggest low was missing my old salary each month and not being able to switch off when I leave work. The highs are being able to make my own decisions and enjoying this freedom.
How have you managed to stay on top of your career with the demands of motherhood?
Lots and lots of support from a great husband, parents, friends and colleagues.
What has been the high point along the way?
The main challenge is looming with the delivery of the first Kids Fun Ideas Show in Manchester on the 5th and 6th July 2008.
What is your worst experience along the way?
Never being able to switch off.
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?
- Take time wherever possible to appreciate how fantastic it is that you are pregnant in the first place ? so many women would love to be in your position and for whatever reason cannot be.
- Enjoy the last few months of being selfish ? relish the fact that you can do whatever you want whenever you want without having to consider this person that is going to come into your world that will mean you will never have that freedom again, as the love you will feel will have the power to paralyse you in a way that nothing can prepare you for.
- Wherever possible, to keep a little bit of time for you, particularly if you can make a bit of that time for exercise ? even if it is infrequent try and make time for your friends as they often are the easiest part of your life to drop and they are important for keeping body and soul together!