Every event that The Sparkle Squad does, every face we paint, every smile we create, is about reminding people to embrace their childhood, to have fun, and to make every moment count.
I’d always thought about starting a business, but it never felt like the “right time.” That changed when I became a mum. Suddenly, I was trying to juggle motherhood with a demanding corporate sales job that drained me mentally,emotionally, physically, socially – you get it… I loved my career, but it was taking more than I was willing to give and I was missing too many key moments with my family – even if I was physically there, I wasn’t mentally present. As mums, we often feel the pressure to be perfect and the guilt at this stage was unbearable.
One day, I hit a wall. I couldn’t keep living that way. Something had to change. I traded the safety of the steady pay for uncertainty, but more importantly… for freedom. I wanted to build something that worked around my family not the other way around. I started over. But read that read.. I started. And that was honestly to this day, the biggest step!
When The Sparkle Squad was first born, I had absolutely NO idea what it would become. I honestly thought if I could just make a few hundred here and there spreading memories..What a win!! But this was it. Failure wasn’t an option. There was no Plan B. I chased the feeling of building something that aligned with my purpose and allowed me to be present for my family. And so I learnt – you can be both, a present mum and a powerful businesswoman.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned both in corporate life and as a business owner is that mindset is everything. The world is full of opinions and people are quick to say them. But success comes from knowing where you’re going, why you’re going there, and tuning out the noise long enough to get there. For me, it was never about getting rich. It was about building something real, something lasting. One step at a time. One party at a time.
Before I knew it (and I’m talking 2 years later), I had dream clients, incredible venue partnerships, and a calendar booked months in advance all from chasing connection and building a community, not a profit. BUT it’s important to know this did take time. and nothing at all was handed to me.
Here is a bit of back story for context – My dad moved to Australia at 21, not speaking a word of English. He taught me what work ethic really meant. My mum grew up in a strict Italian household where women were expected to stay home, but she always pushed me to want more. She taught me that ambition wasn’t selfish, it was needed. Education was like my ticket to something bigger, and I always had a strong drive to learn and achieve.
One of the biggest lessons in my life came abruptly when I was 12 years old. I lost my cousin and best friend who was the same age. Losing her so young taught me that life is fragile and unpredictable. NOTHING is guaranteed or owed to us. And all the fuss we make about silly things, did it even matter in the end? I think on a deep level this has always stayed with me. I’ve grown to always say yes to opportunities, and always look for fun!
I guess all of this combined gave me greater purpose behind what I was building. From my corporate sales experience, I knew that a few sales calls don’t turn into results overnight. but 20 or 30 or 40 or even 50 would. Success is delayed. It takes Continued action over 3-6 months – before you even start to feel a drip of a reward.
My Top Tips for Mums Wanting to Start a Business
Make a start. Starting something new is hard, but not starting is harder.
Get your mindset right- then protect it at all costs. Be clear on your “why” and ‘where your headed’ as it’s the fuel that will keep you going when things get tough. Whenever I feel lost, I focus on whats next, where I am going and create a new vision for myself. There is never NOT something I am working towards.
Build your community. Business is about connection. Get out there, talk to people, and surround yourself with others who lift you up.
Never settle for Plan B. When there’s no backup option, you’ll find a way to make it work.
Be patient and consistent. Success takes time, keep showing up even when progress feels slow.
Don’t fear rejection. Every “no” brings you closer to your next “yes.” The magic happens when you keep going.