Time for another chat with a fellow Mammy, and this week I pick the brain of the inspiring Amanda Holohan who turned her own experiences of loneliness in motherhood, into a super new venture called SocialMum.ie! And she also runs another business called Wall Stickers For Kids too!
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1. As a busy mum of two young children how did you find time to set up socialmum.ie Ireland's very first mum meeting site?
‘I honestly don't know where I found the time now that I think about it! There were a lot of late nights after the kids went to bed to get SocialMum.ie up off the ground. It is still early days with that venture and a lot more late nights to come. So if anyone reading is looking for unpaid work experience let me know lol!’
2. Where did the idea for SocialMum.ie come from?
‘SocialMum.ie was born out of my own experiences as a lonely mum and the more people I spoke to over the years, I realised it wasn't just me - there are so many of us it is heart-breaking. I am from Northern Ireland and don't get to see family and friends much and I still find it really hard living here and I am here now 18 years! Motherhood changes our whole lives and we need other like-minded friends around us while we go through it.’
3. As well as launching SocialMum.ie you run another business, Wall Stickers for Kids! You’re a woman of many talents, what advice could you give to budding mammy entrepreneurs out there?
‘Hmm that is a hard one. If you believe in your dream then don't let anyone deter you and don't listen to the naysayers! It is a very difficult road and I found it worked well for me when I finally separated work from home by moving premises. Working for yourself is also very lonely, so surround yourself with other likeminded people.’
4. If you could take off your mummy hat for an entire day and just be you again, what would you do?
‘I would go to a day spa with my best friend and lie there all day long! I would wander around a book shop for as long as I wanted without rushing and buy loads of books and spend the rest of the day reading.’
5. Finally describe motherhood in 5 words.
‘Challenging. Rewarding. Difficult. Happiness. Learning.’