Mom Spotlight – Laura McDonald

Mom Spotlight - Laura McDonald

Laura McDonald is the co-founder and co-CEO of Two Blonds & a Brunette Gift Co. (2B&B), a gift and gift basket company that caters to both the corporate and personal gift markets, including celebrity clientele.  She now acts as Franchisor of the company, along with her business partner Seri Blatt. Since franchising in 2006, there are now 9 2B&B locations across Canada and the U.S.  Laura resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba with her two young daughters and husband.  Although she graduated with a Psychology and English degree, she always knew self-employment and the entrepreneurial lifestyle would offer her the career fulfillment she craved, and the flexibility to grow a family.

1) Provide an overview of your job/business, how many hours you work.

I am the co-founder and co-CEO of a corporate gift and gift basket company, Two Blonds & a Brunette Gift Co., along with my good friend and business partner Seri Blatt.  Seri and I met through our husbands, who are also entrepreneurs and together have owned a number of business'.  After receiving franchise requests, we franchised our gift business a year ago, and now have 9 locations across Canada and the U.S.  The business is home-based, flexible, fun and trendy, so it appeals to a lot of yummy mummies!

On my end, being self-employed, I work anywhere from 20-60+ hours a week.  It just depends on the needs of the business at the time, and how many new franchisees or prospective franchisees with whom I'm corresponding.

2) Provide an overview of your home life, how  many children you have, childcare arrangement, if married your husbands career and how you share the responsibilities at home.

I am 29 years old and have been married for 5-1/2 years and have two beautiful daughters.  Molly will be two years old in August, and Sadie was just born in April.  I feel very lucky.  We live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where my husband and I are both from.  We lived in Toronto for a few years up until just before Sadie's birth.  The desire to be close to both grandparents and have family support prompted our move back home.

My eldest daughter started full-time daycare upon our move to Winnipeg, so I could continue to focus on my business with Sadie's birth.  There is no mat leave with self-employment, but somehow it all works out.  Thank goodness I have easygoing children!

My husband is in sales for a printing company.  He is a great dad who certainly does his share (though as a mom, don't we always do a bit more!).  Nevertheless, my husband is very supportive of me a as a mom and career woman.

3) Could you discuss 3 tips for women who are managing their careers or their own businesses. 

Try to keep regular work hours (i.e. cut down on working evenings and weekends) – a rule I never keep but should try to implement!

Stay strong, optimistic and focused.  Self-employment is hard – with good days and just as many bad and difficult days!  Just keep going and you'll see results.

Support other female entrepreneurs.  What goes around comes around.

4) Of your female friends with children how many of them continue to work now that they have children.

Hard to say.  I'd say more 50% or less continue to work after motherhood.  Daycare, especially in Toronto, is just too expensive, and many are lucky to have husbands who can manage to support the family, even if the budget is tighter.

5) Can you offer any advice for achieving a balance between your family life and your career.

That's one thing I have to learn!  I work at all hours – 24/7 if needed.  My franchisees joked that I'd have my laptop with me in labour.  I tried taking 2 weeks off after Sadie was born, but found myself emailing 2 days later.   Thank goodness I love what I do, have great family and spousal support, and easy children.  I'm very lucky.  Can't say that enough!