Once in a while we have a little chat with someone with a special job, an inspiring life, a remarkable character or an out of the box vision.
This time we spoke with Mette Te Velde mother of Suki (1,5 years old)
What about her?
Name: Mette te Velde
Age: 34
Kids: 1
Business: Founder of Strawberry Earth: a design blog, events platform and deal site featuring great products and amazing experiences from sustainable brands.
What’s keeping your head up during Momma-Hood?
So, how to be an eco-friendly mom? Any sustainable tips?
I call it 'strawberry' choices when I speak in terms of choosing the best for Suki. Why? Because of her health and future of course!
My favorites are:
- Skincare and shampoo from Weleda
- Bio foods with seasonal veggies and fruit
- Toys that will live a long life and can be passed on to the next generation. At http://www.shak-shuka.com/ you can find nice stuff
- Nature! Fresh air and most important, to let her run.
- In my garden I am going to create a little vergetable garden, so when she is a bit older she can pick her own little tomatoes.
What’s keeping your head up during Momma-Hood?
My daughter’s laughter and enthusiasm for everything and anything.
What’s made you (almost) crazy?
The moment she had to move to her own room. It felt so unnatural to not have her right by my side.
What advice do you wish you had ignored?
That an epidural during labour is bad. It saved my life!
What advice do you wish to pass on?
Do not invite all your friends and family just after your baby is born. Really enjoy the very intimate and special moment you have with your baby and partner. You’ll never forget it.
Don’t listen to horror stories about giving birth.
Don’t take advice from 10 different people but listen to your own intuition and body during pregnancy but also if it’s about parenting.
Switch your phone off when you have your ‘mama-day’ and truly focus on your child and enjoy your quality time together!
Don’t listen to horror stories about giving birth.
Don’t take advice from 10 different people but listen to your own intuition and body during pregnancy but also if it’s about parenting.
Switch your phone off when you have your ‘mama-day’ and truly focus on your child and enjoy your quality time together!
What motivates you to go on when your dreams scare you?
Not taking any risks in life is going to be very very boring.
You learn most from failures.
Your life is not a rehearsal, it’s now. So do the thing that you want to do NOW.
Your life is not a rehearsal, it’s now. So do the thing that you want to do NOW.
Any advise for mums starting up their own businesses?
Don’t read any articles about ‘how difficult it is to combine parent ship with ambition.' You’ll find your own way of doing it.
Define your definition of success. Is it money? Is it a balanced life with time for your children? Is it to inspire people? What is success for you? Don’t let other people tell you what success is.
Create a good team around you. You can’t do everything by yourself. Dare to admit your weaker spots and find someone who’s great at it.
Ask someone you admire to be your mentor. Someone with experience who can help you grow.
Be flexible. The business plan you have written one day will not be the same after some time. It always goes different than you thought and that’s not a problem as long as you dare to go with the flow.
