Sholain Perumal, CEO of The Gold Bar and Sensational Hair, shares her experience of being a mum and juggling multiple businesses.
Motherhood alone is a full-time job. Add on six Gold Bar Stores and two hair salons, and you step into a realm of challenge, resilience and extraordinary multitasking. But for Sholain Perumal, this is not just a balancing act; it’s a calling.
“I always say I am finding my balance; but the truth is balance is a myth,” says Sholain. “The image of a serene woman, effortlessly handling meetings, meeting deadlines, changing diapers, feeding the baby, checking on sales, managing staff, playing with the baby all with a smile, is a fantasy. What’s real is messier, and far more powerful.”
THE VALUE OF STRUCTURE
To juggle multiple businesses and motherhood, structure is a lifeline. “Calendars, time-blocking, delegation, relying on family and staff – these survival tools can make or break your day and still I don’t get it right all the time. Life with a baby means things don’t always go to plan. Success often lies in how quickly you can adapt without letting everything unravel. My boy, however, is the biggest blessing in my life”.
MANAGING GUILT
For Sholain, one of the hardest parts of the journey is mum guilt. To deal with this, she reminds herself that her child is watching and learning. He’s seeing a strong mum who is doing it all. “He’s seeing me with a vision and the courage and persistence to achieve that vision, and I can only hope that it is a good enough example for him to grow up to become a strong, independent, hardworking man, who is not afraid to pursue his dreams.”
SUPPORT IS EVERYTHING
Sholain has an amazing support system, both at work and in her family. “I know when I am leaving my baby to rush of to work, he’s loved and well taken care of with my family,” she says. While being a mum and running multiple businesses is not easy, it’s definitely worth it. “It’s a journey filled with growth, both personal and professional. Every day may not be perfect, but over time, you’re building something incredible – for yourself, and for the little one watching.”
Details: The Gold Bar; www.goldbar.co.za; 061 521 6528; Sensational Hair, Nails and Beauty; Umhlanga: 060 890 2388; Cornubia: 066 216 2394.
