SMTM speaks with Sharon Chim a very successful entrepreneur, founder of the leading Australian online maternity boutique, Queen Bee. We put four questions to Sharon....

Tell us about your experiences as a business owner

I used to own a cafe/restaurant for over 13 years (from age 19), then I went back to Uni and studied a Master in Economics/Accounting and worked as a tax accountant for 3.5 years. I have really been able to utilize everything I learnt in my business and going back to study was the best thing I ever did... Managing the café and employing staff from an early age has helped me enormously in knowing how to setup and grow Queen Bee very quickly - from filling out all the necessary business paperwork, paying super, payroll legislation and managing my gst payments and taxes has been fundamental to my success. I primarily work ‘on’ the business each day rather ‘in’ the business and employed staff from the outset to handle administration and packing. I now have an office and sales manager and 2 warehouse packing staff. I still work from home each day and rarely even go to the warehouse. We have a great IT setup so I can login remotely to the pc’s in the office from home anytime I want to check something. I also have a blackberry to check my emails when I’m out so I’m not stuck in front of a pc all day.

Why did you start a home based business - Queen Bee

I fell pregnant whilst working as a tax accountant and while I loved the office environment I was so looking forward to being a mother I couldn’t bare the thought of returning to work and leaving my baby in childcare. Of course finances were in the back of my mind so I began thinking of a business I could do from home whilst still being able to spend time with my son. My first son Mitchell never slept much as a baby so I was constantly awake all hours of the night and perhaps you can say I 'dreamt' up the idea! I had done a course in web design and have always loved graphic design so the two complemented each other really well. I first began with breastfeeding clothes as there were no stylish garments on the Australian Market and then expanded into maternity wear and never looked back since…we are about to launch our first maternity basics and sleepwear collection in 2009 and after quickly outgrowing our home based business now operate from a warehouse in Belrose Business Park, Sydney.

What have your learnt along the way?

I love a good challenge and competition only makes me more determined! I believe we’ve been able to really streamline our company processes and now have a very efficient business system in place – from processing orders to stock control and office/warehouse procedures. I have learnt that developing, creating and implementing my own ideas for the business has proved to be one of our greatest key success factors. I have so many different ideas planned for the business it’s just hard finding time to put them all into action! However, once I know I am running behind time, that for me is a sign that I’m ready to move up to the next stage to grow the business further – this could be to employ or contract an area of the business out to ensure that it operates smoothly and efficiently in the future.

Tell us about the challenges you have faced starting a business with kids in tow

Mitchell (4 years) just started 3 mornings at pre-school every week and Koby is only 15 months old so he will still be with me everyday until he’s at least 3 years old. I’m so fortunate to live near my mum who helps me out heaps with the kids. I’m also fortunate that my partner owns his own business as well and has very flexible hours. So he entertains the kids and makes breakfast in the morning whilst I answer all my emails overnight from the UK and US. He then takes Koby for his morning walk and entertains him until lunchtime..... the biggest most challenging issue has been sleep time – I couldn’t do the cry-sleep thing so I still co-sleep with both of them which involves lying with them till they fall asleep each night! In the back of my mind I know I have a million things to do around the house and emails to answer but it’s actually a really precious time to bond with them so closely – and they couldn’t be happier!!

Finally how has business changed your life

In so many ways! Watching the business grow and become so successful has been really rewarding. But bottom line is my children ALWAYS come first. I have always wanted my children to have the best of everything in life so I feel really fortunate that I can give them that. Not having to worry financially about the transition from the security of full time work after falling pregnant 4 years ago, has made such a difference to our lives and made motherhood a lot more ‘stress free’ for me and the kids.

Queen Bee
Queen Bee Maternity is an exclusive Australian online boutique that stocks maternity clothes and nursing wear sourced from around the globe.

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