Parents in Business featuring Home with CMB
Career

Parents in Business featuring Home with CMB

This week I’m really excited to introduce Chloe, the founder of Home with CMB, to my Parents in Business series. Chloe created her own business offering virtual home design consultations to her clients which she started after being made redundant. Seeing this as an opportunity she pursued this whilst following her passion for interior design.

It’s an eye-opener reading Chloe’s story, especially the part about how she struggled with post-natal depression and anxiety, and realising how important it is to take the time out and get the rest that you need. Which I know isn’t easy when you want to achieve so much.

Do have a read of Chloe’s business story including her top tips of only setting up your business when you’re ready, there really is no rush.

Tell me a little bit about you, your background, and your business?

My name is Chloé Morris Breger and I have a 18 month old boy called Ezra. I’ve got a BA in interior architecture and product design along with a MA in Narrative Environments. Out of university I set up my own business called Edible Stories, where I worked on a lot of brand launches creating one of a kind spaces for the drinks industry. 

Home_with_cmb is a platform which offers virtual home design consultations. I take into consideration clients needs and budgets but also their ability to do DIY. Given the current covid restrictions some of the home owners I’ve worked for take guidance from me and then recreate the looks on their own. Of course if the client doesn’t have the time of ability I have a range of builders to hand. 

Parents in Business featuring Home with CMB

What motivated you to set up your own business?

I’ve worked within the hospitality industry for the past 8 years until covid hit. I was due to return to work after maternity leave right at the cusp of Covid. I was put on furlough and later made redundant. After a few months of looking for a new job, I decided to invest my time into redesigning my home and sharing the journey on Instagram. I suffer from post natal depression and anxiety, and working on my house or other peoples homes has helped me to forget about it all. I channel it all into something positive and creative. 

I was getting messages from individuals who wanted help with their interiors, and so with that I started to offer my services to followers by means of virtual consultations. 

How do you balance or juggle your business around family commitments?

It was only really possible once Ezra started nursery, 5 months ago now! I found it crazy how much I was able to get done with 2 full days without him vs. a daily 2 hour nap (if I was lucky). I try to get work done during those two days and otherwise during his naps the rest of the week. We decided not to put him back into nursery at the start of 2021, so time will tell how well I manage and how much work I am able to do without putting myself under unnecessary pressure.

Parents in Business featuring Home with CMB

What do you view as your biggest success since setting up your business?

After living in our house for a year, it is finally starting to resemble the home we want. This is due to me finding the confidence to do what I love again, and having a husband who trusts my taste. 

What are your top tips for anyone who is thinking about setting up their own business?

Take your time and don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be your old self. While I was pregnant I took on two freelance events for London Cocktail Week. I even had my laptop in hospital when I was admitted to give birth. Ezra was born in June and the event was going to take place in October. I was working during every one of his naps, not realising that I also needed rest. Two weeks later my father sadly passed away, and I continued to work. I thought focusing on work would help me get through the difficult time, but It all caught up with me and I was diagnosed with post natal anxiety and depression. I had to stop everything and take time to be with my son and get better. Long story short, the old you will come back. Make sure to get to know yourself as a mum. Time goes so quickly and before you know it, your child is a toddler and things go a million miles an hour. 

But if you are going to set up your own business, do it when you feel ready and you have time that is not stolen from your child. Sometimes it is easier to set something up as a duo, so that the pressure is not all on you. Because we all know that with kids, we never have a dull day!

Parents in Business featuring Home with CMB

Thank you so much Chloe for sharing your amazing business story. I have loved featuring you and Home with CMB on my blog, and I wish you all the best for the future.

To find out more about Home with CMB visit Chloe on Instagram.

If you like what you’re reading and would love to be part of my Parents in Business series just drop me an email: thepramshedblog@gmail.com. Or have a nose at some of the other businesses I have featured in the series: Totter + Tumble, Etta Loves, and Cuddledry

Claire x

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