After going back to full-time work, Kylie Davies re-evaluated her situation: she had two little girls at home and a dream in her heart to create a business that incorporated gorgeous things with an “eco edge”. Kylie’s desire to create a business she could manage from home prompted her to bite the bullet and take the plunge, opening her online store, Tree Hugga. This is her story…
1. Tell us your story:
I’m a 34 year old mother of two little girls (Tilly, 4 and Poppy 2) and am expecting my third baby in September this year. With a background in sales, marketing and health, and a passion for gorgeous earth-friendly products, I created an online shopping spot for earthy souls.
Tree Hugga offers earthy souls a gorgeous eco-friendly online shopping spot and an active social hub to share, learn and purchase natural alternatives to mass produced products.
Having variations of the idea in my head for many years, it took going back to work full-time to realise that I needed to make my dream happen. Working full time with my two little girls still at home did not work for our little family.
I love gorgeous things and if they have an earthy or eco edge I love them even more, so I wanted to create a modern earthy marketplace for the new age greenies like myself!
2. How did you identify the goals you wanted to achieve?
Having many ideas in my head, I continued to have many a brain storming session with my husband, Pete. We then met with some enthusiastic friends of ours to talk through the concept further, both of whom were very excited for us and loved the idea. One of these lovely friends, Lena who is a designer, then came on board to do the design work for me. I think she nailed the brief!
3. How did you work towards achieving your goal – did you have a plan and a deadline to achieve your goals?
As I have a strategic marketing background (and perhaps some would call me overly organised) I had to formalise my ideas and goals for the business. Hence, I compiled a detailed business plan and set my vision, values and strategic goals. This is what I am using to keep myself inspired, motivated and on track. Sometimes it can be easy to forget the direction you initially wanted to see things go, especially when you have two bunnies tugging at your leg!
I did set deadlines for various tasks along the way. We pretty much stayed on track launching the website only a few weeks later than we originally anticipated.
4. What was the biggest challenge you encountered along the way?
For me I think the biggest challenge in launching my site has been the actual commitment to investing my family’s money in the project. It’s a risk and that’s scary when you have a young family and another baby on the way. However, now that I have done it and I can see my vision alive and going well, I am totally satisfied and know that if anyone can make this work…I can. Wonder what else I can do too???
5. What inspires you and keeps you going when you encounter obstacles?
Obstacles can be seen as opportunities; to try something different, manage your emotions and grow as an individual. Sometimes in the moment of crisis it’s hard to see this! I actually find it very satisfying when I work towards the solution of a problem. When I see the result or gain some positive feedback, I get excited to continue and feel a real sense of achievement. When I do crack under pressure or self-doubt, usually a good chat with Pete helps shift my mindset.
I often also sit back and just look at my website and feel inspired by the fact I actually made it happen!
6. What advice do you have for anyone wanting to achieve a goal?
Write it down! I am quite visual so I need to have things written out and stuck on my wall so I can revisit it often. It even allows you to cross of certain goals and add a new angle without forgetting where you started from.
The other important thing is to talk to people about it. Many are willing to share their ideas, thoughts and experiences which can be important in helping you make the decision to move forward with your dream!
7. What are the next goals you hope to achieve?
Next on my list is to work towards the positive growth of Tree Hugga. There are so many amazing products out there, I cannot wait to be able to offer more and more of these in the one shopping spot for those who love earthy gorgeous things.
And of course, continue to be the best mother I can be to my two little girls and my new arrival in September!
Check out Kylie’s gorgeous selection of earth-friendly products at www.treehugga.com.au
