Local mum and entrepreneur Tess Freund of Monkey & Mum has been seriously busy this past year. She’s opened a studio and shop here in West End, launched a Fair Trade Range with a women’s development group in India, and has now been nominated for the 2015 St George Banking Group AusMumpreneur Awards.
Monkey & Mum have created a unique recipe that nobody else seems to be using. They specialise in unusual and bespoke necklaces, designed for mums but which are also safe and entertaining for their babies.
“Mums can get a bit forgotten after the baby arrives, and that’s when they need to be noticed and celebrated the most,” says Tess.
Monkey & Mum’s new studio has a relaxed feel with a kid’s corner and a tea station. Tess’s commitment to celebrating mothers goes above and beyond with Monkey & Mum launching their Fair Trade Range earlier this year, created in conjunction with a women’s development group in Jaipur, India. The group is mostly mothers – women have been oppressed by gender inequality, social constraints, child marriage, lack of education or abject poverty. This range provided them with the skills, confidence and economic power to turn their lives around.
The nomination for the AusMumpreneur Awards, presented by The AusMumpreneur Network, recognises Australian mums in business achieving outstanding success. The awards are designed to recognise the growing number of women who successfully balance motherhood and business.
“After my first son, I tried to return to my job part time as previously arranged, but managers had changed, and earlier agreements went out the window” says Tess. “Working for myself means a lot of hard work and late nights, but it also means I get to pick my kids up from school, and I love that!”
At times it can be challenging to raise a family whilst running a successful business but Tess has proven that it is an achievable goal. “You will face so many obstacles – money will run out, ideas will fail again and again, and people will doubt and criticise you. If you can dream big though, believe in yourself and follow your heart, you’ll have the perfect recipe for success!”
Published on August 4, 2015 on West End Magazine
Emily Facoory 