Did having children spark the ‘Parentpreneur’ in you?

The desire to create a different career goal for flexibility around the family happens to increasingly more of us after having children. Especially when we sacrifice our careers to relocate. Focusing on our strengths and passions we explore new avenues to start, what we hope is a successful new independent chapter in our lives. Support through online communities and local networking groups is invaluable when starting out and we would like to thank one of our Premium Members, Amy McKay, parentpreneur and knitter extraordinaire, for sharing her inspiring story. [vcex_divider style=”solid” icon_color=”#000000″ icon_size=”14px” margin_top=”20px” margin_bottom=”20px”] amy_mckay_parentpreneurHi, my name is Amy McKay and at this moment in time I’m primarily a Mummy and a knitter. These 2 roles fill my days beautifully. I grew up in the UK but was always the one likely to run off chasing adventures, as long as there was someone to enjoy them with. These adventures led me to meeting my husband and moving to Reykjavik, Iceland where we worked in the computer game industry and took the hard road to finally getting the daughter we longed for. Once Poppy was born we were keen to be closer to family and back in an English speaking country where we could feel more confident to understand and find everything we might need for her. So, we moved to Dublin when she was 10 weeks old and have been here 3 years in January. While I was living in Reykjavik I learned to knit in the Icelandic style and was immediately hooked! I find it so rewarding to be creative, something I would not have had the patience for when I was younger. Knitting really is my passion or addiction. Making different designs and patterns, making my own colour combinations and mixing elements to create things that I would consider “mine” is wonderful. I’ve taken it a little further by setting up a business page called Poppy’s Pullovers on Facebook and stocking up items to sell at craft fairs and online. I’ve had my first custom orders which has been very exciting and my first craft fair was a huge success this month! I feel very comfortable in Dublin since visiting here 15 years ago. I love the mixed architecture, old and new muddled together and the city parks really remind me of home and are a fabulous space. There seems to be a lot going on here for families, if you just know where to look. I love being near the sea and there are beautiful spots that I can easily get to on the train for mini adventures. My husband’s family are in the North and my own family is only a short flight away so that’s a huge plus to living in Dublin for us. I really want to pursue my knitting business, if we were to have any more children I hope they won’t mind that it’s named for Poppy though! If I can just keep myself in projects year round I would be a very happy Amy. I’ve no desire to become a one woman sweat shop but it might be nice to turn it around to be slightly more profitable! Who knows, maybe one day I will spot a child wearing one of my jumpers at the playground. In terms of family, it’s exciting to see Poppy developing. She has struggled with her language and social skills which we are getting some support with. I’m just being the best mummy I can for her, and I’m looking forward to doing that for the rest of my life. Amy McKay [vcex_divider style=”solid” icon_color=”#000000″ icon_size=”14px” margin_top=”20px” margin_bottom=”20px”] Thank you Amy for sharing your story with us! You can see more of Amy’s work on Poppy’s Pullovers page on facebook.

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