CHINWAG: with Emma from Happy Hands Happy Heart | Melbourne Blogger
Melbourne Blogger:
Chinwag with Happy Hands Happy Heart
It’s no secret that I love this shit out of this woman! Not only is she the best playdough maker getting around (and the original!) – She also has the biggest heart of gold, is a business/life mentor to me (and so many others) and is the best Mum to her 3 little amigo’s!
So… I asked her some questions, so you can love her just as much as I do 🙂
1. Let’s start with the deep questions… You are a new addition in a crayon box, which colour would you be?
Copper! I am so in love with copper at the moment. But otherwise, I’m yellow. Always yellow.
2. Why did you start your business?
I created my product as a way to help deal with my own symptoms of anxiety. I needed a creative outlet that could include my young kids, because me time was difficult to find. So I developed my all natural scented playdough. It combined my need for calm creative play, with the added benefits of colour and aromatherapy to help reduce stress and anxiety, and enhance calm well being. It worked really well for me, and my kids so I thought it might for others too. So Happy Hands Happy Heart was born, because when my hands are happy, so is my heart.
3. What was your biggest business hurdle to overcome?
To back myself. And to take a few risks. I thought I had something special, but I took it very slow. However when I started to take a few risks, and jump outside my comfort zone; you know, risking someone saying no thank you- the horror, or sharing my story, things blossomed really quickly, and to be honest, so did I.
4. What is your biggest achievement to date?
In life, my gorgeous kids. They are gorgeous humans that I am blessed to spend my days with. In biz, just the fact that I created a business, where I get to play with playdough everyday, that includes my little ones, that offers fun and flexibility for my kids , that gives me complete creative freedom and three years in, is still going from strength to strength- Honestly, I could not be prouder.
5. What is your favourite 90’s jam?
Is it even possible to choose?! I like my 90’s music loud, varied, and frequent. I will sing my heart out to anything Elton John, Madonna, George Michael, but in the day, You am I, Grinspoon, and Powderfinger were my Jam. Who else was listening to the Hottest 100 from 1997 the other week?! In the 90’s you would have found me underage at a variety of music festivals, crowd surfing my heart out, in my 501’s, cons and bonds tee. Yes sirreee.
6. Tell us something that your customers might not know about you.
Before I started HHHH I had been working as a freelance photographer for 12 years. So I swapped my camera for a handful of dough, and turned my photography studio, into a workshop!
7. What is your favourite part of running your own business?
The flexibility. With my time and my creativity. I can be there when my family needs me, and I can make and create to my hearts content. Dream Job.
8.What do you think about when you are alone in the car?
Im thinking up the next thing I could make out of playdough, or where is the nearest location I can grab some chocolate.
9. What are you excited for?
2018 is going to be a big year for the HHHH crew, for lots of reasons.
10.Who are you business idols? Who inspires you?
- Gem from Arlo and Co, she is a gorgeous human with a gorgeous business grown from humble beginnings into something really special- she has been very kind and supportive to my little biz.
- Cat and Cherie from The Digital Picnic – what they have created with their business and the community they have built is mind blowingly awesome, and they are two of the most awesome humans on the planet.
- And obviously Zoe Foster- Blake. Girl Crush x a billion. Totally inspiring the pants off so many with her saviness and diversity in business/ creativity/ her wit and grace.
11. How would you describe your job to a child?
I play with playdough- ALL day. Not even joking! Yep!
12. Tell us 5 fun facts about yourself (personal or business)
- I have 2 tattoos, and I have had 8 piercings. You are lucky to see me in a pair of earrings these days though.
- In 2005 I travelled around Australia over 12 months in dodgy old pop top caravan, with my now husband. We had a tonne of crazy adventures, did a tonne of crazy jobs, and had a blast.
- I married my high school sweetheart. We celebrated both our 11 year anniversary late last year, and 20 years together. 20 years of kookiness together. Life is never boring.
- There are only two things I hate.Sultanas… I mean, come on!? Eat a grape, or add choc chips instead. Lesson for life, you’re welcome. And exercise. I know its supposed to make you feel good, and give you good endorphins, but is seriously just makes me really angry. I’m slowly getting into Yoga though, I think that’s more my jam.
- I have a love of all things retro/ vintage. My newest acquisition is a 1958 caravan. I have named her Joanie after my dear late Grandma, and I love her. I’ll be giving her a little mini makeover, then she will be hitting the road for some family fun adventures.
13.Who should we follow on social media?
Oh, so many I love. But a short list would include:
- @Celestebarber obviously for a regular giggle, or laugh until you cry or a bit of wee comes out.
- Veronica Dearly @veronicadearly for daily truth bombs with humour and positivity.
- I love reading to all of the things that the lovely human @clarebowditch has to say.
And I am inspired by the work of
@lukejohnmatthewarnold @cj_hendry @laurablythman @ohbabybird and @gemmacorrell
So there you have it folks, just 13 of the reasons why ‘The Playdough Lady’ is the best chick gettin’ around!
Em is nominate for the Regional Women’s People’s Choice Awards
With only 2 days left to vote, we need all the fingers to press that vote button…
Click here to get your vote on!
add comment