More up close and personals with our women in business!

Our ‘Baby’s First Year’ competition closes tomorrow – have you entered yet?  Don’t forget, you can also nominate a friend or family member and we’ve made it even easier to enter with just one question to answer!  Here are the last of our mini interviews with our women in business – including me!

A Chiropractic Touch

Name:  Emir Lervy

Business: A Chiropractic Touch

Nature of business: Treatment of joint and muscle problems. Wellness care

When did you start your business and why?
I graduated from University in Wales in 2008 and worked there for two years before returning home this year to open my own business.  It is also very useful to work around your own hours, especially when you have a little one year old running around!

What’s the toughest part of your job?
Keeping myself motivated and always looking out for places to do information talks or health screens so the clinic can keep expanding.

What’s the best part?
This has to be when someone comes in saying how good they feel, and not only that they have no pain, but their sleep has improved and they can can concentrate more at work.

What’s the best piece of advice you would give to a new mum?
Definitely relax as much as possible and go with the flow, you will get to know your baby and what they want (and need!)  From a chiropractic view, try not to lift your baby (and car seats etc) in awkward positions and get yourself checked regularly – your body has just gone through the equivalent of running a marathon and needs rest and a little TLC.

MumUnplugged

Name: Claire Martin

Business: MumUnplugged

Nature of business: A website/blog for NI mums

When did you start your business and why?
I started blogging in 2008 after my first child was born.  I was bored on maternity leave and felt I wanted something to keep my brain active, and as I’m a journalist by trade a blog seemed an ideal outlet.  It began as a way to record my ideas and feelings about being a new mum and over the years has evolved into a magazine-style blog packed with information, ideas and advice for other mums.  It blends my professional experience as a writer with my practical experience as a parent.

What’s the toughest part of your job?
Staying motivated.  It’s not always easy to come up with fresh material and in order to keep people coming back to your blog you have to post new content regularly – which is not always easy with a baby and a toddler to look after!  I have to be strict with myself when it comes to blogging in the evenings when the kids are asleep; otherwise I’d just watch TV and eat chocolate!

What’s the best part?
My favourite thing is getting emails and comments from people who read and enjoy my blog.  If I write something that another mum finds helpful or even if she can relate to what I’m saying then that is just great, and I want to hear about it!  Those comments help me keep going when I’m wondering if it’s worth it and if anybody out there is reading my work.

What’s the best piece of advice you would give to a new mum?
Trust your instincts.  Nobody knows your baby as well as you do, not even the ‘professionals’!