Natasha Stewart #SheInspires

Mother-of-two Natasha Stewart was always destined to have her own successful online business, registering her first ABN in 2006 with high hopes and big dreams of quickly becoming a millionaire at the ripe old age of 23.

It wasn’t to be, but it was the start of a massive, and at times, tortuous learning curve for the now mother of two which has led her to achieving her goal while at the same time helping other young mums do the same with her online Business Jump.

Her first couple of attempts to get online businesses up and running failed and while there was pain, little did Natasha know at the time how close she was to success.

“I had all the pieces of the puzzle. I just didn’t put them together in the right order,” she said.

It would be a few years before she had another serious crack at creating her own business, opting to use her Visual Communications Diploma and going back to work as a graphic and website designer in some of Sydney’s leading agencies until my daughter’s birth in 2009.

With the joy of her daughter came the problem of mixing home and work, a situation faced by so many young mothers. She succeeded (although it was tough), but again, like so many young mothers, while she performed above and beyond the call of duty, she ran foul of a system that demanded “more” and was unceremoniously fired, without explanation.

Fast forward a number of years and Natasha reflects on the sacking and how it was done, as a defining point in her life that has put her where she is now.

While the experience immediately sapped her confidence, it also led to a shift in mindset.

“There was a transition that occurred in my mind, me saying ‘I’m better than this’. I realised that I didn’t deserve to be treated like that,” said Natasha.

“In hindsight and now with some clarity, I can see that it completely re-aligned my life. I decided I was going to be in control and work for myself, so that I’d never have to put myself in the position again of having my life dictated by someone else.”

Her rebound did not happen overnight, however. And neither was it without problems. But after having her second child and suffering post natal depression and starting (and selling) a couple of online businesses her “learning curve” led her to Business Jump, creating both custom and premade online businesses for MUMS.

“Business Jump is all about empowering and giving confidence to mums who are wanting to start their own online business,” said Natasha who has a team of 15 and growing.

“We give them the platform and the tools and the resources and the support to be able to create an online business.”

Asked for her Number One tip for mums who want to start their own business Natasha was quick to respond.

“To really have a think about where they want to be in five years time and take action to be able to take those steps, because time goes so fast,” she said.

“So it’s really about moving past the fear and thinking about where they want to be and how they are going to get there.”