Creating businesses for Mums is what we do, and we just LOVED creating this business for Angela.
When we decided to create a gift hamper business, we had no idea how popular it would be or how quickly it would come to life, but Angela is the perfect owner for this business, taking it and running with it in her own way, and it is working!
Let’s meet Angela and see how she has built her new business in under 4 months.
Tell us a bit about you?
Hi all, my name is Angela Mawer – I am a proud and loving mum of 2 gorgeous boys – Jimmy who just turned 13, and Jackson who just turned 2. (Yes, you read that correctly – BIG age difference, but of course there is a story to that – but that’s for another time!), an adoring wife to an amazing super supportive husband Fabian and the very proud owner of Hamper Life.
Tell me a bit about what you were doing before you got in contact with Business Jump?
I had been working in the Telecommunications industry for over 21 years in varying roles ranging from Customer Service, Team Manager/Leadership, Activation Services, Processes and Financial Reporting. I enjoyed it all and it gave me a wide berth of experience and knowledge but it’s not what I had in mind for the rest of my life. I just got comfortable.
Why did you want to start your own business, what is your why?
My why?? That is easy! I have a few (that’s allowed, right?!), but primarily it comes down to 2 things:
- Family (that’s the obvious one) – more time with my boys, flexibility to work around the family, help out hubby who also runs his own business, and overall try and work smarter not harder; and
- Self Acknowledgement.
For me, in both my personal and professional life, I always work hard, have dignity and respect for those around me, share and acknowledge the achievements of my family/peers/colleagues and get profound happiness by seeing others happy and succeed and generally love to have fun with everything I do and keep things positive.
Hamper Life is “my little self-acknowledgement”. Self-acknowledgement comes from our own definitions of success and from what really makes us happy. It comes from that place inside us, that internal voice, that tell us “I did well & I created something amazing!”
How long had you wanted to start a business before you took action and took the jump?
When I left work for 14 months Maternity Leave when I was pregnant with Jackson, I honestly left at that time thinking, I will go on my leave, return back to work and continue as per normal, maybe start part time and see how that goes…
Something between having a baby and turning 40 changed my whole perspective on what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
So I thought ok, what can I do that will provide me the flexibility I want, I can work remotely from home and not have to travel into the CBD everyday (horrific!), gives me more time with the kids plus allows me to help out my husband’s business flourish??
Let me tell you ‘google’ became my obsession. I read and searched for everything under the sun – I even contemplated becoming a ‘medical transcriber’… Yep!
Anyway, I came across BJC and Natasha on Facebook around June 2016. I began following and seeing that they would sell businesses for those ready to take the leap. I saw a few businesses for sale come across and I said to myself – yeah I suppose I could do that, but none were striking a chord in me until I saw an online hamper directory business for sale. Yep – this way me. For those that know me, I love a good hamper and love packaging up things for my loved ones all the time (plus I’m a sucker for amazing packaging!)
I signed up and bought the business in September 2016 (so 3 months!) and that’s when the ball started rolling. I then had the business handed over to me in the first week of November 2016.
How did it feel when you decided to take the jump and signed up with Business Jump?
It was one I like to call EEE. Extreme Emotional Experience. It included excitement, anxiety, happiness, lethargic and feeling inspired to conquer the world – all in one go and thinking, “wholly shi*t, what have I just done”
But I knew that this is what needed to happen to get my butt into gear, force me to just do it and get on with it rather than procrastinate. I knew I wanted more out of life and work, and this was going to give me that.
Tell us about your business?
Hamper Life is your one stop Gift Hamper shop showcasing a curated collection of Australia’s finest Gift Hampers for ALL occasions. Believe it or not – one does not exist in Australia! Shocking I know!!
Hamper Life essentially has 2 customers – those that are looking and scouring google looking for gift/hampers for their loved ones AND gift hamper businesses who are looking to expand and increase their audience base and can do so via this directory.
Why did you choose Hamper Life?
I chose the name Hamper Life because I honestly believe that there is a hamper or gift box suitable for any occasion in this thing called ‘Life’.
If you want to spoil and pamper someone; if someone’s going through a hard time or is unwell; if you want to say thank you; if someone is having or just had a baby; if someone’s a foodie and they love unique yummy produce; or if its ‘just because’ or you want to treat yourself – there is a hamper or gift box to suit.
Has running a business been harder or easier than you thought?
I would say harder. Besides the “non-social’ aspect because you are working from home and on your own and not around others constantly, I suppose I miss that interaction. I’ve always been very organised and like my “lists”, but even going from a corporate world to your own business was daunting on where to start and get moving. So I found a mentor/business coach to guide and push me along the way. It’s only been a month, but she has provided me the direction and focus that I needed.
How did it feel when you got the reins to your business to take out into the world?
Overwhelming for sure…. There are days that I still feel like that, but I believe it’s all part of the process and learning experience. Some days you’ve got your plan and action points and you’re getting stuff done, and other days, you’re like, ‘I know I should be doing stuff, but I’m just stuck!”
The first 3 things I did which I believe helped me get the butterflies out was:
- Finish the e-course from the BJC as that would give me the foundation and readiness especially from a WordPress (website) perspective cause I totally had NO idea on how to do any of that.
- Got some assistance and guidance from the fabulous VA Belinda Owen (she is one in a million)
- Began researching gift hamper companies and reaching out to them
How many hours a week do you work on your business?
It can vary from week to week depending on what is going on withiin the family ( and yes Christmas & school holidays are a killer!), but I would say I average approx. 15 – 20 hours a week)
What are 3 of your most special ‘business wins’ you’ve had to date?
- Had a successful ‘pre-launch’ back on the 24th November where I had listed 10 businesses who signed up to be part of this revolution
- Work daily on social media and building both streams really well with great engagement (for me it’s not just about the numbers, but building the relationships)
- Not even 7 weeks in and I have a client who listed 2 of her businesses with me at the highest premium package and I got paid! (Honestly did not expect any $$ for a good 6 months or so!)
Where do you want to be in 5 years?
I want Hamper Life to be running efficiently and automatically with my ultimate goal being that Hamper Life will become an App. This way customers can go shopping off their phone/tablet via an app and similarly, businesses can opt in to be part of Hamper Life also.
I believe I would also be probably up to my 2nd (maybe 3rd if I’m crazy enough!) business… I Have a few ideas floating around, but really want to focus on Hamper Life for now.
I’d love to be in a position where I can help and support other women wanting to start in business as I believe that has always been my strength to always be a strong leader, encourage people to aim high and give them the confidence and acknowledgement to know that they can do it!
What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone thinking about starting their business?
One of my favourite quotes by an unknown author is, “The best way to get something done is to begin”.
Take a leap of faith, believe in yourself and your dream and just start. Go for it!
Visit Angela and Hamper Life at their website to find out more about the business and explore the world of hamper directories.
You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram!
