Q: How have you managed to juggle the roles of business owner and mom? What falls by the wayside?
A: I think every working woman, not only mothers and business owners, are struggling to balance their professional and personal lives. For me, family always comes first. That is the bottom line. Of course my business demands a lot of my time and attention. But no matter how hectic business is, I try to make it home for dinner every night. Usually I work a couple more hours in the evening after putting my boys to sleep. Business also demands a lot of travel—but whenever possible I try to arrange for day trips. David and I agree to never travel at the same time so that at least one parent stays with the children.
Q: What kind of support system do you have in place personally and professionally?
A: I am blessed with a very strong managerial team and an exceptional assistant to support my work. They keep my back free so that I can focus on business development strategies and the overall development of Chesapeake Bay Candle and Blissliving Home. I am also blessed with a wonderful nanny and personal assistant. My nanny adores my boys and the boys adore her. My nanny and my personal assistant have this very rare quality to anticipate my needs before I can even articulate them. I really feel they are part of the family.
Q: How did you finance your business?
A: When David and I started the company, we used our savings and received financial support from our family. Later, I was able to secure a small business loan from Bank of America that was backed by the Small Business Administration of the U.S. Government. This loan was granted to us because we were already working with key accounts such as Kirkland’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Bloomingdale’s.
Q: How much money have you invested so far? How do you feel about that?
A: Chesapeake Bay Candle was profitable from the first year we were in business. We continue to put profits back in the business to support our strategy for growth. I am also investing profits into our new interior lifestyle brand Blissliving Home.
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