'Risk is twofold': Mum-of-one starts her own business while on maternity leave

Being a mum is hard work.

It's tough trying to juggle everything that needs to get done and spend quality time with the kids.

But it seems mum-of-one Jill O'Brien has it sussed.

After working in media for 15 years, including more than two years as a commercial director for UKTV, Jill decided to do something she has always wanted to do: set up her own business, The Daily Slog.

Jill gave birth to her daughter Ava while living in London.

And, as she explains to MagicMum, it was while on maternity leave that she took the chance to move back to Ireland and create The Daily Slog, a website that is "trying to champion women" and to "promote flexible working".

"Putting in the hours is tough, but working 7am – 7pm is not ideal when you have a child," she says when talking about her reason for starting this journey. 

The plan for The Daily Slog started back in October of last year, when Ava was just a year old.

By February/ March of this year it was up and running. 

There was no big investment made into the business, Jill tells us, before explaining that "risk is twofold."

But in a short space of time, the mum-of-one has managed to make a name for herself; the website already has 6,000 readers and is growing quickly.

And with a background in media, Jill plans to increase profit through advertising and by working with converge media. 

So how does she balance everything: Ava and the website? 

Well, Jill explains, she is lucky her parents are there to care for her daughter, and, so far, is able to manage a good work/life balance. 

"The flexibility that I can spend with Ava is working," Jill says.

Ava comes first, the mum admits, before explaining that she starts work as soon as her daughter is asleep. 

Her advice to other parents who have big dreams of working for themselves? "Take that leap of faith".

"90% of the time stay in your job and see how it goes," Jill says, before explaining that "you inherently know the right time to make a move." 

"But do take that leap of faith. You can always go back to a job if things don't work out." 

You can read The Daily Slog here.