From struggle to success

Words MELISSA GROOM

Fifteen years ago, I left my marriage with three kids aged 3½, 5 and 6½ and moved away from the Northern Beaches in Sydney where all of my family and friends were to Kingscliff to heal and start a new life.

Having not worked for seven years, I had lost my confidence. I was on a pension for single mums as it was difficult to work with two children with medical conditions and one on the spectrum. I decided to study and become a mortgage broker. We took on an au-pair to mind the children after school, but they couldn’t take my kids to their specialist appointments, give them their medication or know what to do if they were unwell or had a medical emergency.

I had my own business as a mortgage broker and loved using my creativity, but working at an office away from home just didn’t work for our family. Plus, the busiest part of my day was 3-5pm, which is when the kids needed me and had after school activities.

I had to make the decision to stop working as a mortgage broker and create an online business. My eldest son was due to have a life-saving kidney transplant, and I had to find a way to be by his side while he recovered.

Back in 2010, I enrolled in a video marketing course then started Toddlers To Teens TV and Toddlers To Teens magazine. After two years, I sold the show and magazine and started an Australian networking group, Mums in Business, and the Mums in Business magazine.

We ran weekly events for six years on the Gold Coast and Tweed Coast, and some in Sydney, Coffs Harbour and Tasmania.

For the past 10 years, I have mentored women to grow their profile and income and run events for others to share their story, and professionally live-streamed them to the world. It’s my passion to be an example to other women to give them the courage to start over and create a business they love.

My message to you is to take the leap of faith. There are millions of online courses, and many are free. Educate yourself, surround yourself with other entrepreneurs and ask lots of questions. Swap services with other businesses if funds are limited when you’re starting out.

I hope you are inspired by me sharing the steps that led me to where I am today because you too can create a business and life you love.

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