Jo Storie Knits, on being a business owner Mum and making her son proud.

Welcome to the fourth in our series of interviews celebrating working Mums! In celebration of International Women’s Day, we talk to acclaimed knitwear designer Jo Storie. Jo reflects on her romantic view of being a business owner Mum with a smile as she continues to work hard and leave a legacy for her son.

1. Tell us your story of discovering motherhood whilst running/setting up a business.

At the age of 34, I decided to start my own business and start my family. I was living and working in New York and had no intention of raising my family in the states. So not only did I leave my corporate job, I moved countries and set up a new home, starting a new business too didn’t phase me (at the time!! ), in for a penny … I thought… ?!

2. Did having children/planning to have children change your career aspirations and goals?

Yes, enormously, I couldn’t see how I could have a child and continue at the pace I knew was required of me in the fashion industry. The next stage of my career was VP of Design or Head of Design, requiring late nights and a lot of travel.

3. During pregnancy how did you envisage raising children whilst running your business would be & how similar or different has it turned out to be?

I had a very romantic view of how it would be. I set up a studio and place of work at home and it was all designed to help me work and be a hands-on mum at the same time. It didn’t work out at all the way I envisioned. Jonah rarely slept and was a baby that needed constant stimulation. It was endlessly distracting.

Probably the biggest challenge was being viewed at the same level as I was before I had my child. I added the complication of being in a different country to the one I’d established myself in. I couldn’t or didn’t want to take jobs or contracts that took me away from home. So I narrowed my options considerably.

5. From your experience, do you believe it is possible to achieve a good work life balance between having a career and being a mother?

Good question. If it is possible I’ve not been able to find that balance yet. Just as I think I’ve found the perfect routine and a bit of balance is restored, my son gets older and his needs change and everything is off balance again.

6. Do think you have missed out on any part of being a mum, due to running a business at the same time?

I look back and wish I’d stressed less and enjoyed all the time I had with my son as a baby. I was desperate to make the business succeed immediately and made our time together at that early stage a bit more fretful than it needed to be. I felt guilty all that time and that has spoilt some of my memories. I just wished I’d savoured it more.

Be patient!! It will all work itself out.

8. Are there any advantages you have experienced in running a business as a mother, rather than working for someone else?

Well multitasking just becomes a way of life, and I think being a mother makes you stretch that skill to its limits. Winging it – surely all new mums get good at this. Being a bit more ready to make mistakes is something I’ve learned from being a mother and I only have myself to answer to so I’m more likely to take risks.

9. Do you think it’s more difficult for women to run a business after having children than men?

Yes, I do think it’s harder, we’re expected to drop everything and be there if our kids need us. It’s almost a given that certain jobs are a women’s domain.

10. Are there any myths you have heard about being a working mother that you would like to dispel?

The myth that you can have it all is just not true. There are inevitable sacrifices that come with being a mother and a business woman.

Yes, I’d encourage my children to do the same. I’d advise them to give themselves more time than they think to get going. To stop and enjoy being a parent and there’s no rush. I’d also tell them not to feel guilty for choosing that way of life.

12. Do you believe that becoming a mother has made you a better entrepreneur/businesswoman? If so what has changed?

Yes I think it has made me a better businesswomen, I’m more driven to leave a legacy for Jonah. I want him to see me work hard and take control of my own destiny. It’s important to me that I make my son proud of me.

13. What are your goals and aspirations for the future? Will your children growing up
affect these plans?

Well Jonah is 14 now and he’s only ever known me to be working for myself, I’d like to keep growing the business and one day offer him a job!

Have you enjoyed this article? Find out more about Jo’s beautiful Knitwear at Jo Storie Knits.

If you’ve loved learning about Jo’s story as much as we have, then check out more stories from working Mum’s we’ve designed for. Cerise at Thrivve dispels that multitasking myth and Ruth Jacobs shares the wins with her family.

We can’t thank Jo enough for her inspiring and straight-talking insights. As a new Mum, I’ll certainly be taking on board her tips that with a bit of patience it will all work out and we feel very honoured to have designed eBooks for Jo.