Hello Wendy, tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m Wendy Richards, Managing director of The Nappy Lady. I have three children age 16,14 and 11 they are all now at college or secondary school. When they were younger I’d work during nap time and evenings so I could be with them the rest of the time. I have always run The Nappy Lady to be incredibly family friendly and all our employers have flexibility around their working hours to fit the needs of their families.
1. ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE HOW BEING A WOMO MAKES YOU FEEL?
Happy but tired.
2. WHAT’S THE FUNNIEST EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD JUGGLING KIDS AND WORK?
Taking a customer phone call one evening while the children were screaming and having lots of fun at their Halloween party.
3. WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU COULD OFFER ANOTHER WOMO?
Find a family friendly employer as life work balance is so important. Kids grow up fast don’t miss that special assembly or sports day.
4. WHAT’S THE LEAST AMOUNT OF SLEEP YOU’VE GONE TO WORK ON AND HOW DID YOU COPE?
About 3 hours when my youngest was small but I was also working fewer hours than I do now as the business was smaller. Now I’m older and in my 40’s with Peri-menopause upon me, I often find I struggle more with sleep now. I try to be finished by 4pm so I can take the rest of the day slower as the lack of sleeps catches up on me.
5. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF AS A WOMO?
I’m efficient and very good at juggling many things. I keep many plates spinning at work and home.
6. IF YOU HAD A WORKING MOTHER’S ANTHEM OR MANTRA, WHAT WOULD IT BE
Work to live, life’s too short!
7. WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE TO COMBAT WOMO GUILT THE BEST?
I really don’t have WoMo guilt as I’ve always run my company and job so that I’m there for the children. I deliberately didn’t push to grow my company while the children were small so that work matched the hours I had available. I’ve been to every assembly, sports day. If I’ve had to work weekends at busy times I’d be up at 4am get some work in and then be free to be with the children later.
8. WOULD YOU RATHER BE DEALING WITH A TANTRUM OR PRESENTING IN A BOARD MEETING?
Board Meeting
9. IF YOU ASKED YOUR CHILDREN WHAT YOUR JOB IS, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY?
My Mum’s The Nappy Lady, then they get confused when other children don’t understand what that is.
10. WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN BEFORE YOU BECAME A WOMO?
Don’t stay late at your job no one will thank you for it in the long run. Work to live and not live to work.
11. TO DATE, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST WOMO ACHIEVEMENT?
Buying my business 3 weeks before having my 3rd child and turning the poorly performing business into a successful and family focussed employer.
12. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT WORKING MOTHERS?
Mums can work and be successful while also enjoying their children.
IG thenappyladyuk