Motivational Monday Interview with Jennifer MacDonald
Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Julie Cole, founder of Mabel’s Labels as our interviewee for Motivational Monday.
This amazing mom has five beautiful children and still manages to run a business! I recommend popping over to her website, whether you have kids or not, the labels are really quite nice and they actually stay on when you put them through the dishwasher or washing machine! So, without further ado . . . Julie Cole.
What is your business?
Mabel’s Labels is the leading provider of personalized labels for the stuff kids lose. We market innovative products for both young and old, including labels for clothing, containers and kids with allergies. We have also expanded to include kids’ stationery sets. Products are sold online at www.mabel.ca or by phone at 1-866-30-MABEL. Mabel’s Labels also distributes through camps, via school fundraising drives and through a network of agents.
How did you get started?
After years of always chasing after my kids’ stuff at daycare, school and friends’ houses, I finally decided to do something. I got together with three female relatives and created Mabel’s Labels. Mabel is our brand and logo. She takes form as a curly haired, blushing little girl. She embodies the Mabel brand: She’s cute and also tough, she’s adventurous and also practical and she amuses grown-ups but knows how to have fun with kids her own age.
What mistakes did you make when you were starting out? What did you learn from them?
With four partners we seemed to fall into the trap of being over-involved in every decision. I can remember times where all four of us sat down to make basic and simple decisions. We figured out early on that we had to have separate portfolios and trust each other to do our own work. To have your hands in someone else’s portfolio, means that there is no time to get your own work done. This is something that we still have to manage. When it is your own business, you want to be involved and aware. We have found more effective ways to be accountable to each other including regular reporting.
How long have you been working from home? (was this your first business or have you had others where you worked from home?)
I have been working at home since we started Mabel’s Labels nearly five years ago. This was the first job I had where I could work from home. By profession, I am a lawyer but after my eldest child was diagnosed with autism, I knew that I needed a working life that provided some flexibility so that I could be there to manage my son’s intensive ABA program and advocate for him. Mabel’s Labels was born!
What are your tricks for balancing work, kids and household chores?
The balancing act is a tough one that is always being adjusted! After my fifth child was born, I got a full-time nanny. This is the best of both worlds. I can be in my home office and still have a finger on the pulse with the children. As far as tricks, I’m still looking for that myself, but there are a few simple things that make this easier for me. Believe it or not, the first is that I don’t worry too much about the state of the house. Deep down, it is always clean, but with five small children I would have to follow them around all day if I wanted to keep the house tidy. A lot of people would probably find it stressful to work among the trains and dolls!
Something that also helps is that Mabel’s Labels is a web based business. I don’t have to get dressed up in business clothes every day. Even when I go into our office, we don’t have customers there. It is a tremendous time saver when you don’t have to blow dry your hair, apply lipstick, and pull on nylons!
How many children do you have? How old are they?
I have five children. My eldest son, Maginnis, is seven years old. I then have three girls. Posy is six, Spencer is four, and Jessamy is two. My baby boy, Clancy Jack, is about to turn one!
When do you usually work?
I work for a few hours in the morning and then have lunch with the children. I work for a couple of hours in the afternoon then knock off at 3:30pm when the school bus drops off a couple of the kids. At that time we prepare the children’s dinner and get them ready for their evening activities. I am completely committed to being off my computer at 3:30pm until the children are in bed. This is the direct result of a comment my six-year-old made about the frequency she sees me on the computer.
What is the best part of being a mompreneur? And the worst?
The best is the flexibility and the ability to do a school drop-off, go on a class trip, and meet a friend at the park with the kids once in a while. The traditional workforce makes that too difficult. But, for this to work you have to be pretty self-directed and motivated. It is helpful if you can manage your time well and prioritize effectively. In a sense it is great to be your own boss, but don’t be fooled. I have many other bosses: my business partners, our staff, customers, agents, not to mention the five little bosses I live with!
What are your plans for the future of your business?
We have a strong business plan, meet regularly for strategic planning sessions, and have professional guidance and support. We look forward to Mabel growing as our children do!
What advice would you give new work at home moms?
Treat it like a job. Set hours and pay yourself if you can. Be careful that your business doesn’t become like another child you obsess over! Obviously you will feel more invested because it is your business, but always remember the reasons you decided to work at home.
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Terrific interview with a terrific lady!
Mabel’s Labels is a fabulous product and it’s wonderful to get glimpses behind the scenes of this wonderful mom-run company!
[Disclosure: I'm a Mabel's Labels agent -- and LOVE it!]