Balancing family and business
Supermom Nardia Reid-Thomas
CONTRARY TO the belief of many, the role of a housewife is no easy feat, especially when there is more than one child in the household.
Now, look at the 21st-Century housewife who not only tends to the needs of her family, but also holds her own as a student and an entrepreneur.
This has been the reality for Nardia Reid-Thomas for years, and while she has managed to be successful in all areas, she admits that she is still learning from the process.
“I have been a working mom and entrepreneur since 2011, while attending university. My journey as an entrepreneur was inspired by the need to survive. Hence, I started a small business catering to small events – providing effects lighting, decor, and photograph packages.”
FASHION DESIGN
Reid-Thomas has also added fashion design to her list of businesses and is currently awaiting certification from HEART Trust/NTA.
“Fashion design is a field I am very passionate about. Managing work and family as an entrepreneur is difficult at times, because the reality is that the start up of my business required my full attention, and I got caught up in the building of the business while my family life suffered.”
This working mom and wife told Family and Religion that it takes a serious effort to strike a balance between work and family.
“Reserving time away from the sewing room, clients and social media keeps me grounded and allows me time to think and gives me a chance to look at the challenges from a fresh perspective, leading to more creative solutions.”
She continued, “It’s easy to lose track of what is important when you are faced with the challenges of running a business every day. There was always a reason for me to
work late nights and through the weekends, but I have been happily juggling between my roles and hectic lifestyle for five years, and I have been doing this by maintaining discipline, planning my daily and weekly task, setting my priorities, and dedicating time to my family. I learnt and now realise that what motivates and keeps me going is my family. The support I receive from my family is tremendous.”
Reid-Thomas explained that being an entrepreneur, a mother and a wife can be daunting, but it’s an experience she would not trade for anything.
STRESSFUL YET REWARDING
“It requires physical, mental, and emotional perseverance and it can actually be really hard, stressful and exhausting. But it can also be incredibly liberating, exhilarating and unbelievably rewarding. Sometimes it can be all these things and more at the same time and often, all on the same day.”
She further mentioned, “My motivation comes through the need to fulfil my dream of being a successful parent, entrepreneur and my passion as a fashion designer; working with my hands and seeing a design come to life – from a sketch to a finished garment.”
Having learnt the methods of proper management, Reid-Thomas revealed that her weekends, which were once booked with work activities, are now reserved for family time.
“My weekends are spent with my family doing various activities including movie time with my girls, family dinners and/or dinner dates with my husband, who has been a huge supporter of my endeavours.”
Her advice to other full-time mothers is to stay focused, get organised, and find the right balance between profession and parenthood.
‘My motivation comes through the need to fulfil my dream of being a successful parent, entrepreneur and my passion as a fashion designer.’