Yes, you can have a career and family
BE INSPIRED: Sandra Hudson, mother and founder of Hudsons GM
What is your job?
I just started my own company where I work with small businesses from sole traders through to 10 staff and specialise in HR, marketing and finance and review the organisation and see what needs to happen.
There are a lot of specialists out there that are good at something but don’t know how to structure their business.
How did you manage your career breaks when you had your children?
I have two children, my son Evander is 12 and my daughter Emerald is eight.
I used to work in events then after having my children I had a career break and transitioned into a general manager function, which I did for four years.
The first time, with Evander, I had a week off, then went back to work for three weeks, then had about six weeks off, then back full time. I was very career driven.
When I got to Emerald four years later I was a bit wiser and took a full six months.
Is there anything you would have done differently?
I would have taken longer leave the first time and I probably would have gotten financial advice and set a budget about how to manage the next six months.
The second time, I set a budget but didn’t know there were options for me to optimise that time.
It’s good to get that financial advice. I’m 43 and I would have invested in super a lot younger because of compounding. The more you invest and the earlier you do it, the better off you are long term.
My husband is a small-business owner and as a sole trader he was not required to pay super to himself so for years he didn’t. Now we are playing catch up.
What advice would you give other mothers?
Don’t wait until you have everything sorted to have a baby because you just deal.
Definitely get advice and a budget and plan but it’s never the perfect time, you need to just go for it.
Remember that just because you take a break, it doesn’t mean your career is over. You can have everything.