Tell us about you?

I am a multi-passionate entrepreneur, girl boss and rebel at heart. I have just launched 'Bham', a biz that combines so many things that I’m passionate about: ethical fashion, the environment, positive mindset, women’s rights and supporting female survivors of violence.

Tell us about your small business?

Bham is all about empowering women. Our first product, Powerpants, is organic cotton underwear that empower the women who make them, the women who wear them, and the women who benefit from the proceeds (female survivors of violence in PNG).

Our goal is to create that pair of underpants that you keep taking from the laundry basket as soon as they are washed - because they are super comfy and make you feel good.

Are there any areas you’re particularly seeking progress in for your business right now?

As we have just launched, we are focused on all of the acronyms!

CX (Customer Experience)

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)

PR (Public Relations)

How could you or your business help others?

Mindset. Each pair of Powerpants is printed with a secret affirmation – a secret weapon for biz mums. Imagine your underpants telling you 'I’ve got this'.

I’m also vlogging my startup journey on YouTube and sharing my highs and lows on Insta @thefoundingsista. I think it’s important for other biz mums to see that they are not alone. The struggle is real!

What has been one of your best business decisions to date?

Outsourcing. I am mum to three little ones and I’m also juggling a corporate job. I put a premium on my time so I always ask myself the following questions:

How long will it take me to solve this problem?

Is it something I will enjoy?

Will I use what I learn again?

What would it cost for an expert to solve this problem?

Is the problem worth solving?

A lot of the time it costs much less to outsource to an expert – and usually the results are better too.

What are your three favourite business tools and why?

1. Planoly: I schedule my social media posts a week in advance. It saves a lot of time and headspace.
2. Canva: For the smoke and mirrors baby!
3. Podcasts: I’m so inspired by stories of other female founders. As a chronic multi-tasker – podcasts allow me to exercise my mind and body at the same time.

Could you share a time when you succeeded and what you learned?

In my corporate job, I’ve managed some big projects with tight timeframes and lots of stakeholders and complexities. It always helps to define what success looks like from the beginning, making sure there is buy-in from the team and that they understand how they contribute to success. Setting expectations is so important.

Could you share a time when you failed and what you learned?

I love the quote 'Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn'. In my corporate job, I’ve had many failed sales proposals. Each time, I dust myself off, take time for reflection – and then document what I’d do differently if I had my time over. I also share my lessons with others. It makes me more accountable to do something with the lesson. I don’t want the pain without the gain.

What would you like to see more of when it comes to helping women in small businesses succeed?

Just keep doing what women do best. I just love seeing how women are supporting other women in business. The movement is growing.

What’s your approach to dealing with the pressures of running your business?

Be kind to myself. I get to choose what success looks like, so I don’t set myself up for failure by setting expectations too high.

I prioritise ‘me time’. Getting some time near the ocean is magic.

Any productivity hacks you swear by?

Turn off notifications. When you have a lot to do, email and social media can be such a distraction.

Has there been a significant mentor in your career/life?

My dad. He always has some words of wisdom to share when I need them.

People you admire / quotes or mantras that you live by?

'Be somebody who makes everybody feel like somebody'

And then just about anything Brene Brown has ever said …

What’s the last read book / visited bookmark / podcast that you’d recommend to a friend?

I recommend to anyone who will listen – do yourself a favour and watch Brene Brown’s Netflix special. I also gave my BFF The Chimp Paradox to read. It has a really great way of explaining that inner mean girl that can hold us back.

Finish this sentence: “Business mums …

... We’ve got this!”

Connect with Kylie

Via her website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

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