20 Questions with Afternoon Pick Me Up
What first attracted me to this account was the stunning photos of her amazing gift boxes. The branding, the colours and the flat lays were just so pretty I just had to give Kate a follow!
Her curated selection of products are just beautiful and they all complement each other so well. Kate truly has an eye for picking ‘on brand’ products that will also light up the faces of anyone who receives one of these beautiful gift hampers.
My favourite quote from this interview is; “Go for it, just start and see what happens. Don't try and create the perfect thing, your product or service will NOT be perfect to start with, and may never be perfect, and that's A-OK! Find a group of women in business who you can cheer on and encourage and who can do the same for you. Those friendships have been so so essential for me.”
Read on to learn more about her journey from a part time side hustle to a full time successful business run from her home!
WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR SIDE HUSTLE BUSINESS AND WHAT INDUSTRY ARE YOU IN?
Afternoon Pick Me Up - gift hampers
HOW LONG HAS YOUR SIDE HUSTLE BEEN RUNNING?
I started APMU in January 2016, it was my side hustle until January last year, where I made the leap and took it full time!
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
I've always always had business ideas whirring in my head, I started some of them, but was never crazy passionate about them. I sat on the idea of APMU for over a year to see if it was something that I was really passionate about (Hint - it was!) and I ultimately started the business because I was looking for a gift to give to a friend going through a hard time. I couldn't find anything that suit, that I would be proud to give and that I knew would really lift her spirits and make her feel seen, loved and cherished. So Afternoon Pick Me Up was born! :)
DO YOU STILL WORK FULL TIME ANYWHERE ELSE?
Nope, APMU has been my full-time since January 2019. I was able to jump in full time with it and leave my other jobs of Nannying and Event Styling behind.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST FINANCIAL INVESTMENT YOU'VE MADE IN YOUR BUSINESS?
Facebook and Instagram ads, and hiring someone else to do them! It has increased my sales ten fold, and it is SO nice not having to try and do that all myself. I find the back end of FB & insta ads SO confusing!
DID YOU INVEST IN BRANDING WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR BUSINESS?:
I designed my logo and branding myself at the beginning and invested in getting other creatives to design aspects of my branding like the wrap and cards that I used.
IS THERE SOMETHING YOU REGRET OR WISH YOU HAD DONE DIFFERENTLY IN YOUR BUSINESS?
I don't think so, because everything has led to where I am today, running a very successful business at the forefront of the gifting industry in Australia!
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST PART OF RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
I love working from home, being my own boss and creating. I had always hated office politics, so not to have that has been amazing, and I just love coming up with my own ideas!
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Being the chief decision maker for everything. It sounds so fun making all your own decisions, but damn, decision fatigue is a real thing. I have to make sure that I bounce ideas off my friends and husband so that I don't get too overwhelmed, and make sure I have good rest and stress release practices in place!
WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN WHEN YOU WERE STARTING OUT?
That there is no 'one path' to running your own business. There is no 'right' instruction manual, and you can create your own rules to create the business that you want! I think in the beginning I was always striving to be similar to other businesses, to try and be on the 'right' path and trajectory for my business. The magic really happens when you throw out the rule book and just create what you want to create and run the business that you want to run!
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST EFFECTIVE STRATEGY FOR SELLING YOUR PRODUCT SERVICE?
Definitely building and growing am engaged instagram following. I was very lucky to start my business right at the start of Instagram when it was much easier to organically grow your instagram and it was much easier to be seen. Instagram has been the backbone of my business, and I think my background in event styling has also really helped in having an eye for detail and being able to take all my own photos.
IS THERE SOMEONE WHO ORIGINALLY INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR SIDE HUSTLE?
I think lots of people along the way. I definitely got a big push from my husband to just go for it, and I definitely needed that! There have been many many women in business who have helped, encouraged and inspired me along the way too.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE ELSE STARTING A SIDE HUSTLE?
Go for it, just start and see what happens. Don't try and create the perfect thing, your product or service will NOT be perfect to start with, and may never be perfect, and that's A-OK! Find a group of women in business who you can cheer on and encourage and who can do the same for you. Those friendships have been so so essential for me.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
Generally I'll wake up early and get into the studio by 730/8am to pack all the orders that have come through over night. The courier arrives at 1030am everyday to pick up orders, so it's a mad dash to get all the orders I can out. I'll spend some time in my inbox and writing out my to-do list for the day, with the most pressing things at the top. Then it can be a combo of photography, ordering and unpacking stock, packing more orders, getting distracted by my cat, paying invoices, posting on the gram, the list goes on. I'll stop for lunch and currently my husband is working from home due to COVID, so we'll have lunch together, sometimes go for a walk or sit outside to eat and then back in the studio. I finish up my day around 530/6pm or when my brain can't function any more!
HOW HAS LIFE CHANGED NOW THAT YOUR PURSUING YOUR PASSION AND LIVING YOUR DREAM?
Incredibly so. It's amazing to be my own boss, create my own days, and help spread some love around Australia. It's given me flexibility and freedom, but also responsibility.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS IN 5 YEARS?
Very good question. It's so hard to know at the moment because of COVID, but I would love to have my own studio space and a small team working for me!
BEST TIP FOR BUILDING/GROWING A COMMUNITY/FOLLOWING ONLINE?:
I know it's said time and time again, but be authentic and be consistent. It doesn't mean you have to post every single day, but showing up in stories or your feed consistently is really important to building and growing an audience that trusts you.
ANY OTHER ADVICE YOU WOULD LIKE READERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU, YOUR BUSINESS, OR BEING A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN GENERAL?:
It's hard work. To consistently and constantly show up and keep going is a big deal. You need people around you that will support you and you MUST have a positive attitude! But it is honestly so so rewarding being your own boss, and I honestly wouldn't have it any other way.
HOW DO YOU REST, RECHARGE?:
I get outside to go for a walk, even if it's just around the block, to clear my head and get some perspective. I love to stretch or do a meditation on the Calm app to give myself space and peace. I have all my notifications expect for orders that come through turned off, I find this SO SO helpful at switching off, and making sure I'm not always in work mode.
ONCE COVID IS ALL OVER WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL TO?:
Take me back to Europe, particularly Positano. Absolutely cannot wait to get back there, and legit dream of it most days!
http://www.afternoonpickmeup.com.au
Insta: @afternoonpickmeup
