interview
began to think about the other parents out there who, like me, were looking for another option, ie, a convenient baby meal that looked and tasted homemade. ‘I didn’t do anything about it until the two
oldest children were in playgroup and school and, aſter a lot of time researching the market and sourcing premises and suppliers, I started manufacturing in August 2011. ‘We started out making little fruit and
vegetable purées, all by hand. We did all of the peeling, chopping, cooking, freezing into little heart-shaped ice cube portions, all packed into a resealable doypack. Although the products were a huge hit
with many parents, as a result of issues with the location of the products in stores, we decided to make a pivot and move into the baby snacking category, which is experiencing huge growth. Tis has proved to be the right move for the company and has led to a phase of huge growth.' With Heavenly Tasty Organics
progressing in leaps and bounds, how, I wondered, does Shauna manage to combine family with her career? 'Once I had my first child, I was very lucky
to be able to become a full-time mum: an experience for which I will always be grateful. Because I was always at home, I was able to be there for all of their ‘firsts’, but, as much as I enjoyed the experience of being a full-time mum, I was also aware of the fact that those times were very tough. As any stay-at-home parent will understand, it can be a little isolating at times when all you hear each day is Cbeebies! 'With my first two children I was able to
be a stay-at-home mum until they started pre-school. Once they were at preschool/ school I started working part-time for my dad’s business and it was at this time that the idea for Heavenly Tasty Organics had really started to burn with me. I knew I had to do something about it: so much so that, by the time my third child Elsa had come along, I didn't have much time to take off. I was so busy running the business and, since our office was based at home, there was no getting away from it all! 'Luckily, despite the juggling act, I'm very
fortunate in that, with my husband James working in the business, at least one of us is always there, which really helps. We work very well together. James is very supportive and gives me the time I need. With four kids to manage - and a business - it can feel sometimes that life is just disappearing, but,
“I've been a stay-at-home-mum and I'm now a working mother and, to be honest, I've loved doing both!”
at the same time, I know that I'd be bored if I wasn't busy! 'We try not to talk about work in the
evenings until the kids are in bed. Tat's very important to James and me as the kids need time with us to help with homework and to just hear about their day etc. 'Elsa, who is two and a half, has just started
at playgroup, so my work routine at the moment is just centred around Lily's nap time. I tend to work a lot at night and I'm very lucky to have excellent support from both my mum and my mother in law. I've also got a good team in the office, who provide great support. 'As with most working mums, it's a matter
of keeping a structure to the day. I still don't know where my days went at the time when I only had the two kids and wasn't working,' she laughs, 'but all I know is that my days simply disappeared! I have a unique perspective on the work/life balance as I've seen it from both sides. I've been a stay-at-
home-mum and I'm now a working mother and, to be honest, I've loved doing both! 'At the moment I'm in the office one day a
week, but I also work in the aſternoons at home. I know how lucky I am that I'm able to combine both. 'I’m a firm believer in lifelong learning
and, being a total glutton for punishment, am currently in my final year of a BSc in Food Management and Marketing with the University of Ulster. Although it can be tough to find the time to study, the satisfaction of completing something is certainly worth all the anti-social weekends spent studying. 'Working gives direction to your life and a
sense of meaning. It can bring you to meet so many incredible people and travel to new places. I grew up in a family business and watched my father work very hard all his life. So working is in me. Although I dream of the day where I can take time off and relax, I honestly can see myself always working.'' „
Autumn 2016 MODERNMUM 9
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