Monica Meldrum has been nominated for the 2015 St George Banking Group AusMumpreneur Awards, which recognise Australian mothers in business achieving outstanding success in areas such as business excellence, product development, customer service and digital innovation.
The AusMumpreneur Awards presented by The AusMumpreneur Network celebrate and recognise the growing number of women who successfully balance motherhood and business in a way that suits their life and family.
While travelling in Indonesia to deliver an aid program to children living in poverty, Ms Meldrum vowed to make a difference to children’s health. On returning to Australia and witnessing food-related illnesses among children and an abundance of over-processed, heavily marketed children’s foods, she decided to act.
Whole Kids provides Australia’s largest range of organic, allergy-free health foods for children, the proceeds of which are also helping to fund kids’ health and environmental projects.
This year Whole Kids has provided 3.8 million “healthier choices” to mums and dads across Australia.
Ms Meldrum says there are many benefits of balancing business and motherhood.
“I’m in control of my destiny,” she said. “I’m a role model for my children and am instilling values in them that they can achieve anything.
“I love that I’m realising my dream career while growing a flexible, family-friendly workplace that enables other mums to share their skills and experience.”
Offering advice for others thinking about starting their own enterprise, Ms Meldrum says it is important to create a clear picture of what your business looks like and how you plan to grow it.
“Be confident in your abilities and fearless in your approach,” she advised. “Jump! Being a Mumpreneur is one of the most liberating things you will ever do.”
