Motivational Monday Interview with Jennifer MacDonald
Welcome to the very first At Home Mom Motivational Monday. We´re starting off with an interview with Jennifer MacDonald, mom of three and the creator of Cenabal Gourmet Organics. Enjoy the interview with this amazing work at home mom!
1. What is your business?
Cenabal manufactures certified organic bread dippers, oil blends and omega-3 salad dressings. Product information, store locations and recipes can be found at www.cenabal.com
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2. How did you get started?
I’ve had many jobs during my adult life: College Teacher, Professional Engineer, Customer Service Manager. But my most important, and most challenging job so far has been that of an At-Home-Mother of my three beautiful boys. When one of my sons developed serious childhood eczema I went searching for a natural treatment to augment what his doctor prescribed. That is when I learned about the amazing qualities of flax oil. After many, many attempts to hide the powerful taste of flax oil in my son’s food I began developing recipes for spreads, sauces, dips and salad dressings which were delicious and an excellent source of omega-3 polyunsaturated essential fatty acids.
As an Engineer, I have developed a proprietary process which limits heat, light and oxygen during the production of an innovative line of omega-3 rich, Certified Organic, gourmet foods. We use only the best quality organic ingredients and only cold pressed, first pressed, unrefined oils. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
3. What mistakes did you make when you were starting out? What did you learn from them?
I had trouble accurately predicting my manufacturing needs and turn around time during the first two years. It was difficult to predict how long it would take to turn around a new label, import glassware from Europe, and create custom herb blends for my products. This resulted in a few late shipments to customers as product was not always ready on time. I’m getting better at predicting future sales and warehousing the right amount of product. But, as I develop new products and increase my line, manufacturing will still be a challenge.
4. 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 from home for 2 years. My three year old came with me everywhere in the beginning. He knows my lawyer, my accountant, and many of my customers.
5. What are your tricks for balancing work, kids and household chores?
Striking a balance is the biggest challenge. Last year I was running a business, running a household (mom to three boys), and running myself ragged. Four months ago we hired a Nanny and she has brought the sanity back into our life. I still work from home so I get my children ready for school and walk them to the bus I the morning. I kiss my three year old ‘good-bye’ and go to work in my upstairs office. I get to have lunch with him, practice piano after lunch, and then go back to work for the afternoon. At 4pm I pick up my two school age boys at the bus stop, we do homework, practice piano and I make dinner. I still work late at night after the boys are asleep a few times a week, but nothing like before. I feel like I have the best of both worlds and I am very blessed.
6. How many children do you have? How old are they?
My husband and I have three boys. They are eight years, six years and three years old.
7. When do you usually work?
Early morning, during the day and late evening. I also work weekends once or twice a month.
8. What is the best part of being a mompreneur? And the worst?
The best part of being an entrepreneur is that I have control over and a direct result on the success of my company. I have worked for other companies, and even when I would put in overtime and work like a dog, I couldn’t see the result on the bottom line. When I work hard for my own company, I can see the impact on the bottom line. Every job has good and bad qualities. The worst part of being an entrepreneur is how horrible I feel when I don’t meet my targets. Working for another company, one can lay blame elsewhere for failure. When you are running your own company you are responsible for failure and success.
9. What are your plans for the future of your business?
I plan to expand my product line and begin exporting to the US and other countries.
10. What advice would you give new work at home moms?
Take everything in small steps and lay a solid foundation of knowledge from the beginning. Taking on too much will make starting a new business seem unachievable, but it is not.
My parents taught me that I could do anything, as long as I set my mind to it. I was disappointed as an adult to learn that I couldn’t do everything at the same time. Know your limits, set priorities and you can achieve.
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