Mumpreneur Linda Kennedy Torstensson, 48, juggles being mum to Maria, 7, with running her own business, Kozikidz (www.kozikidz.co.uk).?
What work did you do before you set up Kozikidz?
I worked in marketing at senior management level.
How did you fund the business?
Savings, other income streams and favourable credit terms.
What was the motivating factor for starting your own business?
Seeing an opportunity in the market, the desire to work for myself, and tapping into years of experience in marketing and management.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
I like having the flexibility and control that running Kozikidz gives me.
Running a business can be a mixed bag sometimes. What have been you highs and lows so far?
Highs are definitely seeing glowing product reviews and hearing others feedback our own philosophies or passing them on to others. Lows are when people you rely on don’t deliver.
How have you managed to stay on top of the demands of motherhood, family life while running a business?
By fitting the working day around my dauhter’s school hours – quite a lot can be done early in the morning or later in the evening, too.
How has running your business impacted on your relationship with your husband tner and children?
There have been ups and downs, but we all enjoy the flexibility it gives the family.
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?
Don’t expect too much of yourself, try and ensure that there is separate family time (easier said than done, I know!) and take advantage of all the support that’s available from family and friends, to contracting out household chores!
