Scotmum is proud to support working mums and is keen to bring you a different, inspirational mum on a regular basis so that you can see how they manage to attain that elusive work/life balance. This week, Scotmum interviews Rachel Nicholson who lives in Dalgety Bay, Fife. Rachel is mum to Freya (19 months) and has set up a small PR company called Caffeine PR and a cupcake business called Frosted Cupcakes.
What is your profession and how many hours per week do you work?
Previously in public relations and events, I used to run a busy press office for a large retailer. Unfortunately my request for part time or flexible working hours was turned down and I found myself in the position where I had to return to work full time or leave my previous employment. I choose to leave and freelance under the name Caffeine PR. I focus on helping new and small business, visitor attractions, food & drink and green PR. I’m actually delighted to be working with a number of other mumpreneurs to promote their post baby businesses. A hobby has also gotten out of hand and become a money earner. Always passionate about baking, I also run a small cupcake business out of my own kitchen called Frosted Cupcakes. I specialise in contemporary bespoke cupcakes for weddings, christenings, birthdays and anniversaries. I don’t think I’ve achieved that elusive work/life balance yet! I’m still trying. I work between 20 and 35 hours a week.
Could you describe a typical day in your life?
Organised chaos! My daughter is my alarm clock. She’s at nursery two days per week. On these days I drop my daughter off just before 9am, then return to my home office. I check emails morning, noon and night for both companies – whether weekdays or weekend. It’s the first thing I do when I wake in the morning and one of the last things I do in the evening. Again, must watch for workaholic tendencies! My time with my daughter is our time, however I’m often guilty of work, work, work as soon as she’s asleep during the day and in the evenings. When my income goes up I’ll probably look at Freya going to nursery three days per week. At 4.30pm I make the dinner, have a quick tidy up and then off to pick my daughter up at 5pm. Then it’s dinner time, bath time, story time and then bed time. Last but not least, then it’s clean up time – Freya still never fails to cover half the floor in food. Finger painting with yoghurt is also a favourite past time – much to Daddy’s disapproval! I often work until 9/9.30pm in the evening, but I hope to get more of a work/balance as my main PR business develops. Although I’ve built up a reputation and contacts in the industry, the name Caffeine PR isn’t known yet. My husband and I love Sky plus. We couldn’t live without it. We round off the evening with a show or two that we’ve recorded and, if I feel like it, a nice glass of red wine. On other nights it’ll just be a big mug of camomile tea (I know how to party!).
What do you feel are the pros and cons of being a working mother?
It’s a real mix. Although challenging and pretty tough at times, I totally enjoyed the first 9 months of maternity leave I had with my daughter. However, at the end of that time I was starting to feel like I needed something else outside the home. Like many of us do, I’m a mother who needs something for herself. I need a career, to earn my own money and to have a challenging focus outside the box of wife, mother and step-mother in my case (I’m step-mum to Arran age 9). More of my identity than I thought was tied up in work and hanging onto the same level of success I had achieved before my little one arrived. In many ways I feel like I’ve had to start again. Certainly this is true income wise, however the opportunities are great and I enjoy the fact that it’s up to me to make of it what I can. I’m enjoying getting back to the coal face of PR and have renewed enthusiasm to achieve coverage for clients and help grow their business. My daughter enjoys nursery, which is a great relief. You do have days of worry though. The day she cuddles your leg as you turn to leave nursery after the morning drop off or when she’s got a runny nose and a sniffle.
Why did you decide to branch out and work for yourself?
The decision was taken out of my hands really. In this current climate there’s very little part time employment advertised in my industry in Scotland, so if your employer feels they cannot take you back on that basis, there isn’t much hope of finding a part time job elsewhere. Working for myself was an added pressure at a time in my life when I could have done without it - however I do feel everything happens for a reason and things have very much turned out for the best. In exchange for the regular income, restrictive hours, a lengthy journey to work and being a cog on a wheel in a stressful environment, I now spend two hours with my daughter on the morning’s before I take her to nursery, I can work on my laptop in the garden on sunny days, and apart from client deadlines – my working hours are flexible and I can be there for my daughter if she’s ill. I then also get two hours with her each evening – can’t be bad.
What would be your top tip for working mums in order to cope with the demands of their day to day lives?
Don’t beat yourself up, you’re not superwoman and you can but try. I believe you’ll know if your child is unhappy and if they’re not thriving in their child-care situation. It’s not wrong to need something for yourself – you’re a wife and a mother, but you’re still the same person you were before you got all this extra responsibility. Although on some days it will be totally impossible, try to grab some time to yourself. I’m trying to bring this way up my priority list as it’s slipped down to the bottom for way too long. I feel confident I will get there though. I’ve always been a good multi-tasker, but now I’ve learned that skill x 100!
You can contact Rachel on 0770 216 9485. The website for Caffeine PR is currently under development, but you can visit Frosted Cupcakes at www.frostedcupcakes.co.uk or on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/FrostedCupcakesScotland
