One lush mama...Serena Francis

Serena Francis, the brainchild lush mama behind the sexy jewellery website Melita Rose www.melitarose.com can only be called an inspiration. Taking the leap from employee to employer, Serena is showing the world that you can be both a Lush Mama and a business success. Nothing short of hard work, Serena tells us a little about her life with her beautiful baby Connor

You are a mama and and entrepreneur, tell me more:

I definitely wouldn't consider myself to be an entrepreneur, but for so many years I would have these ideas about having my own business and before I knew, I always managed to talk myself out of it.
I would think of so many reasons why I couldn't do it, such as "not enough money" , "my idea isn't strong enough", lack of confidence within myself ( my family and friends have always believed in me) but it was ME who was stopping myself because I was afraid of failure. Then Connor Creed was born on the 17th Decemember 2012 and everything changed. In the past I was afraid of failure now I was afraid of not trying to give Connor the best start in life, this is what pushed me create the website.I have always loved clothes, jewellery so it seemed like the most natural thing to do. www.melitarose.com has only been launched so my main aim is to grow the site , explore who my main core customers are & increase the offering.
I am really keen to to showcase independent jewellery designers, giving those designers a platform to be creative. I want Melita Rose to be different from the high st.


What's the best part about being a mama?

Wow! Ok, since having Connor I feel more confident within myself. I love our snuggle time, he is always smiling & laughing. I love watching him sleep, dressing him up (haha), watching his progress etc. So when I don't get enough sleep and I am feeling low, he reminds me straight away its totally worth it, he is my world!

Are there any downsides?

Ok lets all say it together now..."lack of sleep" !
If I am brutally honest I struggled with the transition from working full time to being at home with Connor where my main concern was feeding him, changing him etc. I missed the fact I wasn't being hounded at work (strange i know ) or I couldn't pop out for dinner, drinks when I wanted. It took a while for my head to sort out my new priorities.

Have you got any tips for other lush mamas out there?

I am still learning every day about how to be a better mum a better person in general or how to make a" million!"  My mum said to me "Don't completely change your life because you have a baby, let your baby fit into your life," motherhood is meant to be the most natural thing in the world. Family & friends will try to advise you on what you should do and how you should do it. Take the bits of advice which work for you & your life and don't get stressed about what everyone says you should be doing with your baby.
It is ok to have down days sometimes; we are all human & full of emotions, so from time to time, do things which make you happy and most importantly treat yourself!