20 Questions with… Made to Milk
Whats more inspiring than a mum creating a business? A mum who has created a business based on helping others to overcome such a tricky (for some) task as breastfeeding! Talissa struggled with her own milk supply for her babes and so she decided to create her own lactation cookie recipe and the rest as they say is history. Talissa has now been in business for four years and it has gone from strength to strength supplying mums all over Australia.
Want to learn about her amazing journey? Read on!
WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR SIDE HUSTLE BUSINESS AND WHAT INDUSTRY ARE YOU IN?
Made to Milk - Food Industry
HOW LONG HAS YOUR SIDE HUSTLE BEEN RUNNING?
4 years
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
I struggled with milk supply while breastfeeding my first baby and stumbled across 'lactation cookies'. They weren't very big at the time but I created my own recipe and could not believe the success I had! I went from feeling absolutely desperate one day to Pamela Anderson boobs the next and so it was then I decided that everyone needed to know about how amazing lactation cookies are! I started baking them for local mums and before I knew it I was registering a business name and supplying thousands of mums all over Australia!
DO YOU STILL WORK FULL TIME ANYWHERE ELSE?
Nope, I was on maternity leave from my bank job when I started Made to Milk and after extending my maternity leave for another 12 months, I formally quit when M2M was about 12 months old.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST FINANCIAL INVESTMENT YOU'VE MADE IN YOUR BUSINESS?
Staff! I am a control freak and it took me a long time to realise that I couldn't do everything on my own and that I needed to relinquish control over some of the business. The best investment to date has been hiring individuals I trust to take care of things like customer service, prepping stock or packing orders so that I can focus on moving the business forward and continuing to grow.
DID YOU INVEST IN BRANDING WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR BUSINESS?:
Everything was DIY! I didn't invest in branding - my sister in law drew my logo, I designed my website and all my packaging (with no prior experience!). It wasn't until about 18 months in that I brought someone else in to help me with branding.
IS THERE SOMETHING YOU REGRET OR WISH YOU HAD DONE DIFFERENTLY IN YOUR BUSINESS?
I don't think so - I cringe looking back at my first social media posts or my first website but I don't regret having them. It was all a learning process and I also love looking back and seeing how far we've come.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST PART OF RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
So many things! I didn't realise when I started how rewarding the work would be. Every single day I receive messages of love from mums who we have helped and whose breastfeeding has completely changed. They're over the moon and so am I!
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Juggling life as a mum of two and a business owner has been incredibly stressful at times. My business has grown very quickly which I am so grateful for but at the same time it has been tough to feel like I can be completely present with the kids as well as giving the business what it needs to continue to grow. It's something I'm still learning as I go!
WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN WHEN YOU WERE STARTING OUT?
How big it would get! Then those early mornings and super late nights baking in my home kitchen wouldn't have been as difficult knowing it would all pay off in the end.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST EFFECTIVE STRATEGY FOR SELLING YOUR PRODUCT SERVICE?
Social media - being present, genuine and engaged on Instagram has been amazing for my business! We've built a beautiful community of mums across our social media platforms and our business wouldn't be where it is without it!
IS THERE SOMEONE WHO ORIGINALLY INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR SIDE HUSTLE?
My in-laws are all entrepeneurs (and super inspiring people!) and so I felt a lot of pressure to fit in! (only pressure I put on myself!)
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE ELSE STARTING A SIDE HUSTLE?
JUST. DO, IT. I chat to so many mums who overthink and doubt themselves so much that they never start. My biggest piece of advise is to JUST START! It doesn't matter if it's not perfect - put it out there, get the ball rolling and you'll learn along the way. You never know what you're capable of until you try.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
5.30am - I wake up, go to the gym, come home, pack one child up for day care, drop her off and take the baby with me to the office. I spend the morning at the office then come home for nap time where I continue to work from home on my laptop. When nap time is over I get some housework done and then into dinner, bath and bed routine. After the kids go down to bed I'll either go back to the office or work from home. The work never ends!
HOW HAS LIFE CHANGED NOW THAT YOUR PURSUING YOUR PASSION AND LIVING YOUR DREAM?
It has changed SO dramatically. I have purpose and I am so much more driven than I used to be. My business seriously gives me life! I live and breathe it and I wouldn't change that for the world. I'm so passionate about what I do and that's something I'd never felt before I started. I love going to work, I love connecting with beautiful mums and their babies and I love guiding them through some really difficult times.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS IN 5 YEARS?
Everywhere - hopefully! Continuing to thrive and on it's way to becoming household name.
BEST TIP FOR BUILDING/GROWING A COMMUNITY/FOLLOWING ONLINE?:
Be genuine & kind! Reach out and connect with other like-minded women and businesses and find creative ways to collaborate. Be generous with your community and those who support you :)
ANY OTHER ADVICE YOU WOULD LIKE READERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU, YOUR BUSINESS, OR BEING A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN GENERAL?:
Don't put too much pressure on yourself, it's already stressful times. Don't force ideas if you get stuck, come back to it later. Be prepared for peaks and lows. It takes time. Spend money in the right places.
HOW DO YOU REST, RECHARGE?:
Spend time with my kids - phone free! Trips to the beach or just chilling at home watching Netflix.
ONCE COVID IS ALL OVER WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL TO?:
I have a nephew in the US about to be born so my first trip will be straight over there for some cuddles!
insta: @madetomilk madetomilk.com.au
