Celebrating International Women’s Day meet Emma Mac - BLU Steel’s Chief Operating Officer as she discusses returning to work after nearly 4 years out being a full time mum and then taking on the challenge of growing a global energy drinks brand whilst trying to balance home life! Here’s what she has to say….
What’s your role at BLU Steel?
My official title is Chief Operating Officer, although it sounds fancier than it is. I am responsible for our supply chain, manufacturing and logistics. In the early days this means personally packing and shipping all our orders from my kitchen. Things are moving on as we grow so my role is now more focused on ensuring our processes and partners are in place to help sustain our growth.
When did you start with BLU Steel?
Right from the very beginning. I’d been planning on returning to work for over a year after several years of being a full time mum to my 3 children. I had originally been looking at various jobs in admin or finance within the local area, my plan was to find a job that was part time and flexible working hours so I could still do the school run for my youngest, however one grey day in March last year my husband Rick pitched a business idea to me, he’s always been an entrepreneur so this was not uncommon however this time it felt different. We began all our research and invested our savings - BLU Steel was born. What I didn’t realise is how tough a start-up can be, not taking a salary, risking our savings - I must be mad I told myself. Not the job I expected to be doing after years out however the benefit is the flexible working hours and of course the fact we are building something special.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Up at around 6am, coffee, quick meeting with Rick in the office to discuss our priorities for the day, then on to getting the kids up, fed and ready for school. After the school run it’s onto the day’s work of processing orders, liaising with suppliers and distribution (This is the point I need a BLU Steel :). Following school pick-up its feeding time again and then early evening is another 2-3 hours of work planning the days ahead and discussing with Rick better ways of operating as a business, most commonly with a glass of wine in hand.
What part of your role are you most excited about?
Looking at how far we have come in such a short space of time is amazing and I’m so excited to see what the next 12 months will hold. Rick has always been the visionary and I am the one generally tidying up behind him as he goes off on tangents to grow the business.
What are you doing when you’re not at work?
Really just spending time with my children, family and friends. I love travelling and my holidays so hopefully can get away with my family at some point in the future.
On International Women’s day what would your advice be to all the mums out there who are maybe thinking of starting their own business whilst still being a mum?
Starting a business can be daunting in any circumstances but especially if you have not been working for a while. The lack of confidence coupled with the guilt of possibly not having as much time for your children can play on your mind. By no way have I got it figured out but I would say find something you believe in, I love the fact we are breaking the mould with healthy clean energy drinks, also be confident and make sure the time spent with your family is quality.
About: BLU Steel are premium performance beverage brand changing the perception of the energy drinks market with their innovative healthy and “Clean” Energy beverages. www.blusteel.co.uk