Mum at the business end of awards

LOCAL mum Aimee Sherriff of The Powerhouse Co-op has been nominated for the 2016 St George Banking Group AusMumpreneur Awards.
The AusMumpreneur Awards presented by The AusMumpreneur Network celebrate and recognize Australian mums in business achieving outstanding success in areas such as business excellence, product development, customer service and digital innovation. The awards are designed to recognise the growing number of women who successfully balance motherhood and business in a way that suits their life and family.
“The Powerhouse Co-op is a not-for-profit venture, a co-working space for mothers with a play space. A space we can comfortably work out of with our children nearby. A place of flexibility and like-minded individuals whom we can learn and share with. To keep costs low this will run as a co-operative, so we all share in the duties of running the space – children’s area, reception, workshops etc. This is the re-creation of a village,” Ms Sherriff said.
Ms Sherriff said there were many benefits to balancing business and motherhood.
“My inspiration came from wanting a better working choice for myself and in realising that I thought I can’t be the only one,” she said.
“As I opened up the conversation I was met with the same scenario I had been experiencing. This then gave me the drive to not only make my own situation better but a better situation for us as a whole. For work-from-home mothers. Having a space like this would allow for a better balance in our lives.”
Ms Sherriff said it could be challenging to be a successful business woman while raising a family but said starting an enterprise is achieveable.
“Go easy on yourself. Allow yourself to just be a mother for a while and not feel as though you need an additional title,” she said.
“I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what is was I was going to do etc, but looking back I wasted precious time just basking in the journey of motherhood. Once you let go and just be your life will be less chaotic.
“The right idea, timing and opportunity will arrive just as its suppose to. Have faith and enjoy it. Certainly don’t force it.”
To vote for Aimee and The Powerhouse Co-op simply visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/AUSMUM16 and scroll down to option five. Voting closes Friday 8 July.