April’s One Successful Mama: Nicky McEnery, Iddle Peeps
“Life can be demanding and often challenging, with so many expectations, duties and needs. To know that Iddle Peeps makes a difference in making life a little lighter and brighter to more people everyday, would be awesome.” — Nicky McEnery, Iddle Peeps
This month, I’m profiling Nicky McEnery of Iddle Peeps, a website that is all about embracing fun and creativity. I first came across Iddle Peeps on Twitter and instantly fell in love with the site’s quirky collection of items and fun craft projects — not to mention Nicky’s sharp wit and sense of humor!
“Iddle Peeps inspires totally doable kids crafts and activities, easy and nutritious family recipes and boasts probably the quirkiest online family shop you’ll ever come across,” says Nicky. “There’s even something for the dog.”
Nicky lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband, 2 1/2-year old son and their 3-year-old dog, Pip.
“My husband is incredibly dry-humoured and quick-witted,” she says. “He’s put up with me for the last 13 years–although I do honestly think that I’ve improved him.”
Nicky says that their son is a “cheeky little livewire who runs everywhere, loves anything with wheels and likes getting dirty.” He also loves the word “no.”
“I sometimes hear him practising saying it in his cot at night,” she quips.
As for Pip, who is a “rescue cocktail” of terrier, sheepdog and hound, she says, “It was love at first sight and his special attachment to [son] Bman has made this one of the best decisions ever. He’s famous on Instagram and considers himself a lapdog, despite being over 15kg. Partial to eating the odd piece of clothing and giving us all the fright of our lives, he tends to be the one family member who’s always in my good books.”
INTRODUCING NICKY MCENERY, IDDLE PEEPS
How long ago did you start your business? What led you to start it?
The idea of Iddle Peeps was conceived when my son was a few months old. I’m a digital marketer by trade and with a background in education and philanthropy, my love for creation in the online space meant that I was keen to start something that made the most of my passions, interests and hobbies. Iddle Peeps started as a bit of a side project whilst I was on maternity leave. I returned to work after maternity leave, but after 6 months of being back in the corporate world, working on Iddle Peeps in my evenings and weekends – we decided that Iddle Peeps had been built to a point that it deserved more of my attention. So that’s how it unofficially officially started!
What types of services/products do you offer?
Iddle Peeps is a website showcasing inexpensive and imaginative crafty and edible inspirations. Its purpose is for busy parents, caregivers or teachers to see recipes, food ideas and kids crafts that look completely achievable and that’ll engage with their own kids. So often crafts and activities look elaborate and intimidating to time poor and frazzled adults. I do every craft and recipe myself (and I’m definitely not a master). More often than not, with my son (he’s two and half and has the attention span of a restless gnat), so everything’s authentic and completely do-able. Much of the products we use in our crafts are recycled, which I think forms an important educational element for our kids.
Describe your first few months getting started. What were your major challenges?
As with most online companies- the challenge to create fresh, original and engaging content and promote it rigorously, whilst juggling family and life in general, means that time is an absolute luxury. There never ever seems to be enough hours in each day! Along with shortage of time, I would also say that fear of failure and self-doubt are other constant challenges. I try to use both to my advantage by creating quick and easy fun crafts for busy people and doing it as well as I possibly can (to assuage the fear of failure and self-doubt demons). I do sometimes worry, though, that I’m really a crazy toddler mum, who talks to the dog (and herself), who cuts fruit into weird patterns, turns toilet rolls into animals and gets funny looks from her next door neighbour.
What has surprised you the most about yourself when it comes to running your own business?
I didn’t realise how annoyingly impatient and pedantic about certain things I am! I think that I have a few ex-colleagues I should probably apologise to.
How has owning your own business benefitted your family?
It’s given us so much flexibility and means that I can work around what needs to be done or any crisis that may come up (they often do!). The nature of my business and its subject matter means that my husband and I enjoy plenty of delicious, nutritious recipes and our son gets to do plenty of imaginative play and arts and crafts, which we both love. Our dog Pip loves having me around the house, too!
What do you enjoy the most about owning your own business?
Even more than the flexibility, I’d say the ability to make and act on decisions quickly. Often in small businesses (and particularly online), timing is of the essence. I find it liberating to be able to work with so much agility. It also suits my creative process.
What are your goals for the future?
World domination. Just kidding…My goal is to continue to grow Iddle Peeps’ audience and for parents, caregivers and teachers to find our content inspirational, useful and engaging. Life can be demanding and often challenging, with so many expectations, duties and needs. To know that Iddle Peeps makes a difference in making life a little lighter and brighter to more people everyday, would be awesome. I have many dreams…depending on how certain elements go and what people find the most inspirational!
What advice do you have for women who may want to take the leap and own their own businesses?
If it’s something that you are genuinely passionate about, then go for it and swing for the fences. Make sure that you don’t overcommit yourself, either financially or emotionally. It’s important to have a support network and to know that you can ask for help if you need it. You’re not superwoman everyday!
You can find Iddle Peeps on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google+!
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