Faulconbridge resident Jodi Napoli is a finalist for a national award for mums achieving outstanding results in business.
Mrs Napoli is a finalist in the product design category of the 2019 AusMumpreneur Awards, the winners to be announced in Melbourne on September 6.
The mum of two, started selling Cheeky Patch, a compact, waterproof picnic mat for one at Glenbrook Rotary Markets.
"Stemming from a childhood love of picnics, and a personal experience of the wellbeing benefits of the great outdoors, Cheeky Patch was created in 2013," Mrs Napoli said. "It tackles the issue of getting your work clothes dirty on lunch breaks. Once I had my kids it turned out to be the perfect accessory for a busy mum too, saving the bulk of a traditional picnic blanket."
Mrs Napoli was excited to be named a finalist.
"Being selected as a finalist means so much to me because it recognises the innovation and development that I have put into my product and gives me hope that I can turn my hobby into a thriving business, which I can balance with raising a family," she said.
"Business is not always easy and Cheeky Patch has overcome challenges but has also seen great success in taking on my first retail stockists, including the first local creative to be selected by MTNS MADE to be selected as a showcase in conjunction with the Katoomba Visitor Information Centre."
It can be challenging to run a successful business while raising a family and Mrs Napoli was happy to provide advice for others thinking about starting their own enterprise.
"Network, and be proud of what you are doing. Building a good foundation of supporters is a great way to test ideas and to get the word out there. You also need to be proud of your work because if you can't speak up for yourself and what you are trying to achieve you don't know what opportunities you could be missing out on," she said.
The awards are designed to recognise the growing number of women who successfully balance motherhood and business in a way that suits their life and family.
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