The day I bought a business

Gorgeous print from Words & Pictures, by the lovely Jen

Yep. That’s the big news folks. I am officially a small business owner.

Can you believe it? Because I can’t. It’s all so exciting and I’m still reeling. And slightly terrified.

Do you want to know the full story? I’ll start at the beginning…

Over the past few months the handsome husband and I have been talking a lot about me and work. Will I go back or won’t I? Do I want to go back or not? Is it worth it financially or just a little bit pointless? Where would I go and what would I do?

We kept coming to the same conclusions – mostly that I didn’t want to work in London again, that I definitely didn't want to work full-time, that two lots of childcare is really bloody expensive and that a little extra cash really would be rather nice right now.

Then there was also the fact that for all the times I might moan about the housework and the tantrums and bad behaviour phases, I do genuinely enjoy being at home with my children. In fact, I love it. I want to be there at the school gates and the toddler groups and the swimming lessons, clearing up paint splatters from the floor, cooking yet another Spaghetti Bolognese for 5pm, just being there for them when they need me.

And so, despite talking about it over and over, I just couldn’t quite bring myself to tart up my CV and get it out there.

Something was stopping me. And as much as that something was my children, it was also the desire to figure out exactly what career I could do that was both interesting, fulfilling and most importantly, flexible. You know, the holy grail of careers for a SAHM. I love being at home, but also doing something worthwhile, for me, would be rather nice, thankyouverymuch. 

I pondered and thought and wrote lists and spent endless hours mulling it over. And I kept coming back to the same things – yoga, natural therapies, natural birth, babies, working with people, making a difference. But I just couldn’t quite hit the nail on the new-career head.  

Then I stumbled across Lazy Daisy Birthing and finally everything clicked in to place.

Lazy Daisy Birthing is a national franchise business that offers active birth and movement based antenatal classes. The classes are yoga inspired and explore the benefits of active birth, birth breathing and relaxation. Something I whole-heartedly believe in, especially following Lila’s incredible birthing journey.

The company also offers post-natal baby massage/yoga-based sessions, designed to assist with bonding and to teach mums invaluable tips for dealing with their new bundles of joy.

The brand is strong, the philosophy fantastic and as I read through the website it just felt right.

One phone call and a few emails later and the wheels were fully in motion and so here I am, as of today, the proud new owner of the Lazy Daisy Birthing franchise for East Surrey, covering Reigate, Leatherhead, Dorking and the surrounding areas.

I start my training next week and have a lot to learn and an awful lot to do to get this little business off the ground, but I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am and how perfect this move feels for me at this stage in my life. I can work the business around my children, bring in a little extra money into our home and also do something I know I’m going to love.

It’s certainly not how I imagined the first two weeks of 2013 panning out, but I have a feeling this is going to be one incredible year.

And on that note, can I hear an O.M.G?!

ps. Jen? I hope you don't mind me using your print up there? I thought the words were very fitting. And the print is lovely!