This week’s Ambassador Feature is with Mim Jenkinson, Love from Mim
2018 New South Wales Business Excellence Gold winner
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Tell us the story behind why you love what you do and why you’re so passionate about sharing your message.
Sharing my story with cancer and my life as a mum has given me the opportunity to connect with thousands of like-minded Aussie mums.
The number of emails I receive each month from readers is huge. They share their own struggles with me and they give me encouragement on how to deal with my own. We laugh and cry together.
Many emails are from other young mums with cancer or people who have had close friends and family members receive a diagnosis.
Others are from other mums who, like me, don’t believe that we must be perfect to be a good-enough mum.
I have built a successful business based on honesty, integrity and openness and one that I am incredibly passionate and proud of.
Tell us a story about a challenging time you faced, how you overcame it and what lesson/lessons/wisdom this experience has taught you about life and business.
Did I mention the cancer, ha ha?
My blog became my therapy and writing was a wonderful outlet for me to share my story, to get it ouch of my head and on “paper”. The connections I have made have been invaluable and life-changing for me.
Cancer has been the biggest struggle of my life and one that I hope is behind me. Despite the lows, the opportunities that have arisen since I shared my story are vast.
The people I have met, the brands who I have collaborated with and the income that has helped to keep my family afloat have been amazing.
I’m so glad to have shared my story and to inspire and provide support and solace for other young mums who have been diagnosed with cancer. There are so few positive stories online and I wanted to provide a happy place for someone to stumble onto.
Since cancer, my perspective on life has changed and the opportunity to work less hours, work from home and have more flexibility and time with my family became my goals.
I work with many wonderful brands that my family loves and have even been named as a Brand Ambassador for many, representing them on my blog and social media. These include Cancer Council NSW and I’m featured regularly in their email and social campaigns for Pink Ribbon Day.
What are 3 pieces of advice you would give someone starting out in business?
1. Find a community to learn from and share with. The support and love I receive from my blogging peers is invaluable and having other mums in business to share the highs and lows with keeps me motivated. I run a lovely group called Self-Start Mums which I describe as an online mother’s group for self-employed mums. It’s about finding ways to prioritise what’s important and work together as a community of mums in business to help each other grow. There are opportunities to share, collaborate and, sometimes just have a good moan because being a self-employed mum is amazing but hard!
2. Don’t be afraid to fail. Test out new ideas, try new things, give things a go. If you have an idea that you’re passionate about then go for it – find an audience that is equally as passionate as you are.
3. Be kind to yourself. Setting up your own business as a busy mum is hard – very hard. In the early days, it can feel like success might never happen and others might question if it’s worth it. If you think it is, then it is. Keep your head held high but also don’t be afraid to ask for help. Finding the time to work on your business and be a mum can be challenging. If help is available, take it and don’t forget to find some time for you as well. I’ve learned the hard way to not neglect my mental health but know that your family and your business need you to be happy and healthy.
What is your proudest business achievement? Why does this mean so much to you?
Being asked by Cancer Council NSW to be a social media influencer. After my diagnosis, I had received so much support from them and wanted to give back so didn’t hesitate in joining them.
I’m also incredibly proud of the feedback I receive from the brands who I work with and who come back to me time and time again for future collaborations.
Finally, winning the AusMumpreneur award for NSW Business Excellence blew me away – still pinching myself!
Image credit: Alex Anderson, Jam on your Collar
Finally, what do you believe is the secret to success?
For me it’s having a good work ethic, a positive attitude and staying true to yourself and your passions. It’s easy to be tempted to copy what others are doing, or to compare your success to those around you. Staying true to who you are and what you believe in will always make you unique and if you’re passionate about what you do, it shines through.
About 2018 AusMumpreneur Ambassador
Mim Jenkinson is a married mother of two small children and they live in Newcastle NSW. She started her personal blog, Love from Mim, in 2013 to share the products and services that made her life as a busy mum a little bit easier. Blogging gave Mim the chance to share how she stays organised and juggles family, work and time for herself. It was a hobby blog for a few years, giving her an outlet for creativity and to build a community of like-minded mums.
In November 2015 when Mim was 36, she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive breast cancer. One with no prescribed cure. The intensive chemo and radiation regime that followed meant that she had to leave her well-paid consulting role. Mim took this opportunity to pour her heart and soul into her blog, sharing her journey with breast cancer, treatment and the mental health challenges that followed.. To learn more, please visit Website, Facebook and Instagram