#WIB- Q&A With Janine Taylor Founder Of The Mustard Flower
1. Can you please tell us more about your business?
A. The Mustard Flower is a content creation agency that specialises in creating written content for social, blog and business webpages.
2. When, how and why did you start your business?
A. I started my business back in September 2019. I had already been thinking of starting own my business back in 2017 and after being retrenched in July 2019, I figured then was as good a time as any. After chatting to my husband he agreed to be an investor in my business and I was able to officially launch, and The Mustard Flower was born!
3. What is your role in the business?
A. I am the owner and founder and basically a one-woman show at this point since the business is still very young. I write all the content for my clients as well as handle their social media.
4. Where did you study and what did you study?
A. I studied a part-time degree (BA in Communication Science through UNISA) while working full-time.
5. How did you finance your business?
A. As mentioned, my husband plays a major role.
6. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists.
A. I begin my day at 9:00 am each morning with an essential hot cup of coffee in hand. Once the coffee starts to work its magic, I take a look at my task list for that day (which is usually created the night before so as not to leave anything important out) and then move on to checking and responding to emails.
I then catch up on some industry news to stay up to date on the current marketing trends and then move onto tackling the daily task list, one by one until I am done. There is nothing more satisfying to me than ticking off a completed task!
Once all tasks have been completed for the day, I check social media for opportunities to market my business. I end my day on a high note by practising piano.
7. How do you balance your home life and your work life?
A. I believe in maintaining a work-life balance, without it, I would drive myself insane. Having a start and endpoint to my days helps me to manage my time effectively and tells my brain when it’s time to switch from work mode to home mode. Without these important boundaries and guidelines, I am afraid I would constantly think about work and check my emails, missing out on precious family time.
8. What drives you and inspires you?
A. I would have to say having the option to be flexible if needed and the idea that I am my own boss. I am self-motivated, so I don’t need someone standing behind me, constantly telling me what to do. There is nothing more irritating to me than being constantly micromanaged.
9. Where and when do you have your best ideas?
A. While taking a long walk around my complex. The fresh air and sunshine allow my mind to think clearly without technology around to distract me. I make an effort to stay off of my phone while outside and just enjoy the downtime.
10. Where and how do you market/advertise your business for sales leads?
A. I make use of social media groups and Google ads.
11. What is next for your business?
A. I would like to grow my business to a point where I can begin hiring people to create jobs. So many qualified and experienced people have sent me their CV’s looking for work and it just breaks my heart to turn them away.
12. What advice would you give to female entrepreneurs hoping to start their own business?
A. I would say go for it! There’s a popular Chinese proverb that says: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
Short bio:
I am a Copywriter and Social Media Manager with experience and a demonstrated history of working in the marketing and advertising industry. Skills include Social Media Management, Content Management, Digital Marketing, Community Management, Social Strategy, and Copy Writing as well as experience in WordPress, Drupal, Mail Chimp and other Email Marketing. Marketing background with a Bachelor of Arts – BA focused on Communication and Media Studies from the University of South Africa.
Contact info:
E: janine@themustardflower.co.za
C: 082 360 5563
Social media links:
https://www.instagram.com/themustardflowerza/