Anne-Marie Martin, 35, tells Motherswhowork.co.uk how starting small and growing it organically has helped her create a business (diddi dance, www.diddidance.com) she loves – and one that puts a smile on children’s faces.
What work did you do before you set up diddi dance?
I was a professional dancer.
How did you fund the diddi dance?
I used my own money, but started very small and grew slowly so it didn’t need an investment.
What was the motivating factor for staring your own diddi dance?
I’d always taught older children but found there was nothing for pre-schoolers to really explore different dance styles. I’d always been self employed so I was used to running my own things.
I also wanted something long term that I could fit around family life.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
I wanted the flexibility and the rewards you get from seeing your business grow – and I have achieved that!
Running a business can be a mixed bag sometimes. What have been you highs and lows so far?
Highs – finding a business partner last year who has a business background and seeing the company double in size!
Being able to teach, which is my passion as well as running the business and being able to spend time with my son – when he starts school I’ll be able to do every school drop off and pick up myself!
The business can still run if I’m ill or on maternity leave, too, which is a plus.
Lows – does consume a lot of time, doing so many roles myself (teaching, marketing, PR, SEO, admin, creating lesson plans, choreographing, managing staff, franchisee training etc).
I have to do a lot in the evenings till late because we’re pushing the company a lot lately. All the money has been put back into the business so cash flow is tight, but this is short term for I know there will be a long-term gain.
I think by a small time sacrifice – lately, I have been able to push diddi dance to the top of its potential.
How have you managed to stay on top of your career with the demands of motherhood while running a business?
My relationships are fine – my husband is extremely understanding and believes in diddi dance 100%. My two-year-old son does spend some time at a childminder, so he doesn’t have to be told “mummy’s working” all the time, but he does come along to some classes with me, too, where we have lots of fun.
I try to make sure the afternoons I have with him are dedicated to us playing. He’ll start pre-school this September, which will be good for him, too, and I’m hoping that, by then, the business will be even easier to run.
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?
- Realise it’s not a walk in the park and takes hard work, yet seeing that the rewards to that hard work and passion is the most fulfilling feeling. Pick a career or business you feel passionate about so you’ll find it easy to work hard at.
- Think about how flexibly it will work around your children long term and whether you can see a long-term gain in it.
- Make sure your partner agrees with your decision to go into business, as you need that support and understanding while you get it off the ground.
- If you pick the right business, getting that work-life balance is great and leaves you able to really spend quality time with your children – remember they grow up so fast!
- It can be done and there are so many mothers out there proving just that.
