It is not always easy to strike out on your own as an entrepreneur, but today’s guest shows that when you can draw both inspiration and support from those closest to you, the sky is the limit.
Please introduce yourself to our readers!
Hi! I’m Emma Davidson, Mum to 3, wife to 1, bestie to 1 beastie wolf and amateur triathalete.
Can you tell us what company you work for?
I work at Gecko Clothing, a new family run ethical, eco-friendly, colorful unisex clothing brand.
What is your title there?
We don’t really go in for traditional titles, I am The Gecko, which I guess is a statement in it’s self!
What are the exact responsibilities of your job?
Well now, this could take a while! Everything! Gecko Clothing is the spawn of my husband and I. He, The Geek, is a Graphic Designer by trade and deals with all technical aspects, branding and general design. We co-design the clothing and pretty much everything else comes down to me!
What is it about your job that makes you love it?
I have wanted to be a clothes designer since I can remember, but it was left at the side line to be practical when I fell pregnant young. Now we have just released a national Kickstarter campaign and I love every day of it. Yes it can be stressful, but even then it’s stressful because of the passion I feel to get it right and make every facet of our business perfect!
I am so passionate about making clothes for kids that are colorful, unisex and ethical every day I get to do it is a blessing! Even when everything is going wrong – We all have them days right? – I know I am working to make my dreams come true. I know what a cheesy line that is, but nonetheless true.
What particular skills or talents are most essential to completing your tasks?
As an entrepreneur I would say essential skills are passion, perseverance and adaptability. As such a small brand we design a lot differently than other brands. A muscle I daily flex is my researching skills.
I am a member of a lot of groups to make sure we are staying on trend of what Mothers are looking for. At the moment it’s all about dungarees! Obviously I’m also researching what my competitors are doing.
Another essential skill that may not be obvious is vision, such as being able to imagine the final piece on a child. A digital product is very different from a final piece.
What level of education would you say is required to perform your role?
That’s a tricky one!
Some design skills would also be a benefit!
I think it would completely depend on the person. I left school early, but I am now a qualified bookkeeper, ploughing my way through a Business Degree specializing in Environment (among other things).
My advice would be to work out your strengths and weaknesses, what you need to get to where you want to be and then fill in the blanks! People are so wonderfully unique, much of it is an aptitude for how you deal with life.
Do you find that you bring your work home with you? (And is that a good or bad thing?)
Well the Terrarium, our office, is also our home! So in theory I work with fantastic flexibility to be at home with the kids too.
What the reality of this is that I get up super early and get some work done before the school run, during nap time and then once they have gone to bed! It is a constant juggle, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I quite often forget to include some me time, which is something I’m working on.
How does this job compare to other jobs you’ve held in the past?
As cliché as it may sound if I am going to bust a gut I would rather do it without having to answer to anyone but me.
I use to work in an amazing company working with excluded members of the community. I loved it! In hindsight I particularly loved that regular paycheck. Every month money landed in my bank account like clockwork. I also loved the holidays and how at 5pm, 5 days a week, I finished work! It was rewarding in many respects and I genuinely cherished working there.
However, all those things are also things I don’t miss (except maybe the regular money bit), because I felt limited by them. Even the money – honestly. There are limits in your role and pay brackets and the higher you go in any role, the more responsibility you get and the more stress that brings.
I love that freedom; to me that trumps it all. When I look out the window and it’s a beautiful day I can say “Ahh, scrap work – I’m off for a ride!” Work will always be around, but each day is precious.
What is your favorite food?
I love food. Seriously LOVE food. I have a mega sweet tooth. My favorite foods would have to be prawns and good pizza, but not prawn pizza because that is just wrong.
Thanks for your time today Emma! You can reach her on Twitter @emma_thegecko