Hey, I'm Mary-Antonia Taylor and I run Pretty Dolls Bespoke.
Tell us all about your business...
My business is Make-up, beauty, hair and most importantly, well-being. I believe beauty shines from within so that’s where I start, not just the physical. I care about my clients and thats my business superpower.
What's your background and motivation to get into the solopreneur life?
I started my business after having my second daughter. There is an 11-year gap between her and her older sister. I’ve always been creative but also so fascinated by people and their behaviours. After a low time personally, I started my business by travelling to new mums, people that couldn’t get to me, cancer patients etc to make them feel better about themselves with my treatments. That was it! I was so touched by the feedback and people’s stories! Some people made me cry by how they had overcome the worst and were smiling right to tell the story. So I kept training and working, providing a bespoke service that encompasses well being too. We are the creators of our reality.
As a solopreneur, what does success ultimately mean to you?
Having a positive impact on someone's life and also inspiring the next generation. I work in education too. That is very important to me.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Sometimes juggling everything and just remembering everything will happen when it’s meant to be.
What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run or grow a business today?
- Read up about entrepreneurs because it good to understand that you have to take the rough with the smooth
- Be patient
- Don’t compare yourself to others—be unique
If there was one thing you could do repeatedly to help grow your business, what would it be?
Educate businesses on the value of a support network rather than rivalry.
What are some of the things you put in place to maintain a healthy work/life balance and to keep it all together?
Being organised
Allowing for mistakes
Having a break
Who are some of your favorite entrepreneurs and best business resources/books?
Steve Jobs because without his mistakes he wouldn’t have succeeded as well.
And Dr Joe Dispenza, he is a genius.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I believe mental health is important and we need to be educating young people more about it.
Where can people find you online?
You can find my website here and Instagram @prettydollsbespoke or Facebook.
If you like what you've read here and have your own #GoSoloStories that you'd like to share then hit Jonny up on Twitter, we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.