Starting a business after a baby

Many women find themselves in a quandary after having a baby, usually because they have come from busy corporate lives where they are in control of the career path and are striving to succeed. It happens to so many women once they have a baby. Their career priorities change. They want a job that offers them flexibility, they don’t want to spend time commuting, working for someone else, and being away from their family.

Have you been considering starting a business so you can be home with your baby? Is your maternity leave about to end, and you feel drawn to steer your career in another direction?

That’s what happened to Rachael Ferrari, the co-founder and managing editor behind newbornbaby.com.au. In this interview, you’ll discover more about the phenomenal mum behind this wonderful brand and community, and how you too can start a business after a baby.

Rachael, tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.

I have 2 gorgeous girls who are now very busy teenagers and the reason I get up bright and early each morning (6am) to get them off to school and start my day running newbornbaby.com.au. The beauty about running a digital business is – I can run it from the car, a beach, netball practice, waiting for school picks ups – it allows me the freedom to be a mum and entrepreneur.

How did your entrepreneurial journey begin? What job were you doing before children?

I started out in magazine publishing working in the fast paced world of glossy mags – think long hours, meetings and lots of entertaining clients – sounds glamourous right? Could almost be compared to the “Devil Wears Prada” – well yes it was fun but didn’t leave a lot of time to juggle a family. I went back to work when my first was 12 months.

What are some of the challenges you face juggling motherhood and a business?

In the early magazine days, I had a nanny and daycare looking after my children whilst I worked long hours. My Husband would pick them up from care in the evening and I would get home for dinner and put them to bed. I felt like I was missing out on their childhood. I did have the luxury of working a 4 day week in the office and 1 day from home – I lived for Fridays so I could take them to playgroups and my mothers group.

Mothers group were my saviours and helped me realise that if we are all in it together we can manage our work life balance the best we can by helping each other. Don’t try and do it all yourself and accept help when offered.

I decided when my youngest was 4 and my eldest was starting school that I wanted to be around more in their lives not just to tuck them in at night. So….I started on the journey of creating my own empire and built a digital platform to help other parents through the amazing ups and downs of parenting.

What do you believe has contributed to your success?

I don’t believe anything comes without hard work and I have dedicated 7 years to getting newbornbaby.com.au to where it is today. I think work smarter not harder and by creating flexible work hours means I can be at those sports days, school excursions or helping out where needed. Don’t get me wrong, once the kids are in bed I will work sometimes until midnight but that’s what you do when you take a few hours here and there – you make up the hours where you can.

How are you currently growing your business? What’s next for Newbornbaby?

newbornbaby.com.au is currently geared towards Australian parents and local content. Maybe translating that overseas would be a natural progression.

What advice do you have for new mums who want to start their own business?

When starting your own business, create something that you know and can do well that doesn’t require you to think too much outside the box. Raising children and a family is no easy feat and starting a new business at the same time sounds wonderful but make sure you have good people behind you that can have your back. I wouldn’t be here today without having a wonderful business partner who holds it all together – most times!